What Is a Torque Wrench?
A torque wrench is a tool used for applying a specific torque to a fastener, such as a bolt or nut. It allows users to calibrate and adjust the actual torque value during tightening, ensuring precision and preventing damage or accidents from incorrect torque settings.
When selecting a torque wrench, it’s important to consider the range of torque values it can measure and the size of wrenches it can accommodate, as these vary between different models.
Uses of Torque Wrenches
Torque wrenches are used in two main ways: for the actual task of tightening bolts and nuts, and for measurement to check the torque that can be applied using the attached scale or digital meter. They are particularly crucial in fields where accurate torque application is necessary, such as in aircraft maintenance and industrial machinery. Over time, the accuracy of a torque wrench may deviate, so it’s essential to maintain them properly to prevent accidents and issues caused by inaccuracy.
Principle of Torque Wrenches
There are primarily two types of torque wrenches: mechanical and digital. Digital torque wrenches can calibrate torque values ranging from a few Newton meters to 1000 Newton meters, depending on the model. These wrenches typically consist of a torque measuring instrument (graduated or digital), a stand for the wrench, and a handle. When the handle is turned, the torque wrench is gradually tightened, and the torque value is read by the measuring instrument. The torque wrench’s accuracy is generally less than 1%, allowing for very precise adjustments.