Arguably, one of the most challenging parts of the assembly process is auditing and ensuring proper torque in fasteners. In assembly operations, torque audit tools are vital to ensure that the fasteners have been installed properly and the right torque has been applied. Torque auditing prevents over-or under-torquing, and it validates the fastening process, leading to improved product quality and a reduction in possible warranty claims.
What to Look for in a Torque Wrench?
The most vital feature of a torque wrench is its ability to give you reliable readings. Different factors affect reliability, but the most pertinent one is using the right tool for the job. You use a torque wrench for specific purposes, and operating one is simple enough. You only need to adjust settings to see if the assembler has applied the necessary torque on the fastener.
If the torque setting is correct, the wrench will make an audible click, a vibration, or a digital read-out. In noisy environments, having non-auditory alerts like vibrations and visual cues are necessary. If you’re purchasing a torque wrench, you must consider its accuracy, torque capacity, and overall quality.
What Does a Lightstar™ Wrench Measure?
This torque wrench has a patented Angle Restart Algorithm that measures torque when the fastener retightens after static friction. It also records the breakaway or residual torque and the angle breakaway or the torque needed to move a fastener that’s in place. Besides these, you can also use the LightStar™ to record the highest torque, assembly applications, and the torque you must apply to loosen the fastener.
A Lightstar™ wrench has comprehensive haptic vibration functionality, which helps make your torque measurement, interpretation, and reaction times faster and easier. Then there are other benefits of vibration technology.
Firstly, this metrology tool enables you to read and measure torque in noisy production environments. Secondly, it improves measurement readings in low light conditions and thirdly, it helps identifies non-conformities earlier in the process. Finally, the LightStar torque wrench comes with several unique vibration patterns that indicate different measurements. There is one for in spec, out of spec, over-torque, and various set angles.
How Does a Lightstar™ Wrench Work?
The LightStar torque wrench’s vibration motor will reflect good or bad conditions when you pull on the wrench to audit or set a fastener. You know that the reading is good if you have green in-spec LEDs on the wrench and corresponding in-spec feedback from the data collector.
Meanwhile, if you have a bad reading, you get the red out-spec LEDs and out-of-speck feedback from the collector. Other conditions will have different vibrations, and the wrench differentiates buzz alerts according to conditions. You can also disable this functionality if you want.
LightStar™ wrenches use sensors that enable the operator to pull at any point on the wrench when measuring. You will receive an accurate measurement every time, and this wrench is insensitive to the point of load. This feature is crucial when you measure fasteners in hard-to-reach areas.
Conclusion
One of the best tools you can use in torque auditing is the LightStar™ Torque Wrench. This quality tool measures residual torque in installed fasteners, and it is designed specifically for auditing and quality improvement.
For LightStar™ torque wrenches and other quality metrology tools, call Met Optix today on 1300 363 409.
