Survey Reveals Torque Inaccuracy

A recent survey from Norbar Torque Tools has revealed a worrying lack of awareness of the importance of properly maintaining torque-controlled tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers, with 24 per cent of respondents admitting that they never calibrated their torque tools.

Said Philip Brodley, Norbar’s sales director: “Although we were aware of the problem, we were truly surprised by its magnitude as revealed by the survey. As a specialist torque tool manufacturer, we naturally place a great deal of emphasis on the accuracy of our products, but even the most accurate tool needs regular checking and calibration to ensure that it remains within tolerance.”

Norbar offers the most comprehensive torque calibration facilities in the UK with accreditation for wrenches, multipliers and torque measuring devices. Brodley sees this facility as a vital aspect of Norbar’s service, saying: “There is no question that the accuracy of torque setting is crucial in ensuring the safe use of threaded fasteners in critical applications like automotive, aviation and industrial processes. A good quality torque tool obviously helps to ensure accuracy, but tool quality alone is not enough – only regular checking and calibration can deliver that.”

The survey revealed a clear need for education amongst tool users and Norbar has gone a step further, by providing a cost-effective means for users to check their tools regularly in the workplace. This is the company’s TruCheck system; a simple torque tool tester costing a few hundred Pounds. The operator simply attaches the torque tool to the tester and tightens until the tool activates. The test result is then instantly displayed and some models have a “traffic light” red, green and amber indicator to confirm whether the tool is within the specified tolerance.

Norbar says that workshops using TruCheck report that the tester has helped change attitudes, enabling routine tool checking to become the norm rather than the exception.