Torque Wrench Calibration/Verification

A

AshleyE

#21
Thank you all for the discussion.

We'd never considered torque wrenches to be process equipment. They ended up under the measuring/test equipment umbrella.

To clear a few things up:
Most of the time there is no customer required torque specification. Only a handful of products we make will have a "torque to X" call out on the print. That tells me that we either need to prove all our torque wrenches are capable, or have a "Capable" set (with recrods) for production requirements and keep the others for reference only.

These torque wrenches are adjustable, I think the majority range from .2 to 25 inch/pounds. There has never been a verification across the range of the tool to determine accuracy/repeatability. This should be done to determine what shape these items are in.

When they are, for example set to 10 inch/pounds, I would check it against the torque analyzer to confirm that it actually produces that force. My understanding is that some of these wrenches will need to be cranked up to 10.5-11 in order to produce 10 inch/pounds. If that is the case, we need to invest in capable equipment.

Using the torque wrenches when there is no specific call out helps our less skilled employees understand what "acceptably tight" is, rather than stripping screws or finding "hand tightened" loose screws down the line.

Thanks for the discussion and insight. It is appreciated!
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
S

sarasheed

#22
We manufacture power generating equipments up to 500MW comprising of Gas,Thermal & Steam and our company is certified to ISO-9001 by BVQI since 1990.We have included all the Torque Wrenches used in the company in calibration schedules and calibrate them periodically as per the relevant standards using a Torque Wrench Tester.This requirement was insisted by the Auditors right from the beginning.WE feel that Torque Wrenches are ensuring the proper tightness of outgoing quality of fasteners and hence needs calibration periodically.

sarasheed
 
B

Bentley

#23
Torque wrenches have a specification of their own and should be calibrated at least yearly. What if they are out of specification? I think that would be the real reason for checking them.
 

Jen Kirley

Quality and Auditing Expert
Staff member
Admin
#24
Even though these torque wrenches aren't measuring product characteristics for fitness for use, the OP described using them as a kind of process control, to help make sure the assemblers were not tightening too much or too little. And the process control element in ISO 9001 does reference 7.6.

If I am correct about all that, it then makes sense to verify before use and a record of this due diligence would generally be expected. But if you're willing to be flexible with your records it's possible to make a note of the verification on a record outside the formal calibration system: maybe on a work order, or on a central document that's shared by assemblers. I have a client who uses industry recommended torque values based on the type of material, driver type (slot vs. Phillips, etc.), size and threads per inch of the fasteners.

Why bother with this? To help avoid returned products, and be able to help track sources of issues for those that do come back. Having this information could help rule out the "machine" in the man-material-machine-mother nature analysis process should one or more items be returned.

Why else? What would your customers want to see if they were looking at the process?
:2cents:
 
S

Sean Kelley

#25
It sounds like you are measuring these for undefined customer requirements of not having stripped or loose screws. It may not be on the print that I don't want a stripped screw but that would generate a customer complaint that any reputable company would not dispute. However by having some customers require torque specifications now means you do need to include it on your calibration program and may even be subject to gage R&R / capability studies to ensure you can make it right. The electric torque drivers made tend to be very accurate and good at tracking each and every bolt is torqued properly to the point of even letting the operator know torque requirement was not met.
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
D Torque Wrench Calibration Interval Extension with Non-Use? General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 1
W Torque Wrench Calibration question Service Industry Specific Topics 9
L Pneumatic Torque Wrench Calibration Procedure Calibration and Metrology Software and Hardware 1
MarilynJ6354 Torque Wrench Calibration Frequency (Calibration Interval) Calibration Frequency (Interval) 38
J Torque Wrench Calibration - Difficult time with repeatable measurements General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 12
K Calibration method for Torque Wrench & AC gas leakage Tester General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 4
R Gauge R&R on pre-set torque wrench Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 2
C Preventing Torque Wrench Deterioration Calibration Frequency (Interval) 5
T why CPK <1.0 regarding two pieces of control charts of torque wrench? Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 2
Q Torque Wrench Issue - Incorrect method to collect the "as found data" Problem Solving, Root Cause Fault and Failure Analysis 7
B How to find Uncertainity in a Torque Wrench? Measurement Uncertainty (MU) 5
C Electric Torque and Angle Torque Wrench questions General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 3
M Attribute Gage R&R on Torque Wrench Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 1
C Mechanical Torque Wrench MSA (Measurement System Analysis) Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 5
C Relationship - Break over (click type) torque wrench and short term joint relaxation General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 4
B Torque Wrench Calibrated with Conditions General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 2
Jerry Eldred MSA (Measurement System Analysis) on Torque Wrench Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 3
E Gage R&R procedure for Torque Wrench Needed - ISO 6789 and ISO 5394 Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 2
B M85049 backshell strain relief screw torque Manufacturing and Related Processes 1
J Gauge R&R on a torque measurement Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 11
H Can a calibration lab still use ISO 6789:2003 as guide for torque calibrations Other ISO and International Standards and European Regulations 1
D Torque fractional unit of measure; cN-m or N-cm? General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 2
L Special Processes - Technical reason concerning torque - Anaerobic compounds Manufacturing and Related Processes 10
M Gage R&R with large inter part variance - Torque Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 7
A Torque Value for Different types of Fasteners (Socket Head, Button Head, CSK) Manufacturing and Related Processes 2
D How about another torque discussion? Assembly processes General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 9
D Yet another torque question... Assembly processes AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 2
A Does Torque Gage Need Validation? Reliability Analysis - Predictions, Testing and Standards 4
C AIAG's IATF 16949 section 7.1.5.1.1 - Torque MSA Requirement Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 10
M Chrysler is requesting a "Torque Strategy" for all Fastener Joints FMEA and Control Plans 7
T Adding an adapter to a Torque Meter to change the Range Capability, Accuracy and Stability - Processes, Machines, etc. 6
J Pneumatic & Electrical Torque Tool - Calibration/Verification of 'Power Tools' General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 2
B How to do an MSA on an Automated Torque / Angle System Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 5
D Standard torque values for threaded fasteners AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 8
sonflowerinwales Torque of nuts and bolts, which one should you use? Manufacturing and Related Processes 8
J Calibration Merry Go Round - Torque Wrenches and Testers Calibration Frequency (Interval) 13
I Torque-Tension Testing on Automotive Parts AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 4
K MSA for Torque Dynamometer in Stepping Motor Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 2
B Digital Torque Meter Gage R&R General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 4
S Which Torque Meter do I choose based on CpK studies ? Capability, Accuracy and Stability - Processes, Machines, etc. 2
Q Need help on MSA study on a torque analyzer Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 3
J How to measure Loosening and Tightening Torque (VDA 5 - MSA) Quality Tools, Improvement and Analysis 5
Proud Liberal Torque Measurement Around A Rivet Inspection, Prints (Drawings), Testing, Sampling and Related Topics 2
R Torque Tester Calibration Traceability and Certificate question ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
I Should we immediately have recalibrated our Digital Torque Gauge? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 5
W Measuring the Dial Torque of Plastic Insulin Pen devices Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 4
B Computing Failure Torque for Helicoil Threads in 6061-T6 Aluminum Design and Development of Products and Processes 5
D How to conduct a Gage R&R on DC Tools to Torque Bolts Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 5
S Motor Stall Torque Failure after Changing Supply of Cyclindrical Gears Manufacturing and Related Processes 1
M How to perform a Gage R&R on Torque Wrenches Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 3

Similar threads

Top Bottom