Torque measurement systems: Torque transducers
Torque is a force that causes an object to rotate around an axis of rotation. Torque is therefore a “torsional force,” also known as rotational force. As a “torsional force,” torque allows a drive shaft, screw, bolt, or wheel to rotate or turn. Knowing the torque of a rotating element is the only way to determine whether it meets its specifications, thereby improving and controlling the efficiency and performance of engines, propellers, and industrial processes.
There are two types of torque:
- Rotational torque, also known as rotational or dynamic torque, is that present in objects that rotate around an axis such as shafts, turbines and wheels.
- Reaction torque, called stationary or static torque, is the force applied to an object to make it rotate, for example to tighten a fastener such as a bolt.
The best, and most accurate, way to measure torque is to use instruments called reaction torque sensors or rotary torque sensors.
Torque meters
Torque transducers are measuring instruments specifically designed to detect torque. These torque sensors are transducers that convert rotational force into a displayable output.
Depending on the application, a static or dynamic torque sensor can be used. Dynamic torque measurement occurs in the presence of rotation, thus requiring signal transmission. Static torque measurement, on the other hand, occurs without rotation, exploiting the principle of reaction: the torque exerted by one body on another is equal to that exerted by the second body in the opposite direction.
Torque transducers find applications in sectors such as:
- Automotive industry
- Electrical/electronics industry
- Mechanical/hydraulic industry
- Pharmaceutical/cosmetic industry
- Food industry
- Laboratories and test bench manufacturers
- General production lines
The range of torque transducers Kistler includes shaft, flange, and non-rotating torque transducers for detecting reaction torques.
The Shaft Torque Meter
Shaft torque meters are used to measure torque on rotating parts. Comastri Davide supplies the following torque meters from the Kistler brand:
- Torque meter 4501A: allows the measurement of torque in both directions of rotation and has a robust design, but at the same time it is small and easy to handle, and is particularly suitable for screw assembly operations.
- Torque meter 4502A: with a wide variety of shaft connections, it is suitable for static and dynamic torque measurement, and is used for controlling speed and rotation angles in production process monitoring and quality control.
- Torque meter 4520A: Inexpensive and easy to install, with a robust and compact design, it is suitable for dynamic and static determination of torques, in assembly technology and for quality control in manufacturing and laboratory.
- Torquemeter 4503B: particularly suitable for the laboratory, production and quality control, it has an integrated electronic measuring system that allows maximum precision and extremely high speed ranges thanks to a dual range sensor
In addition to torque transducers, Comastri Davide also supplies Kistler couplings, important accessories for torque transducers that compensate for alignment errors, increase the precision of the transducer, and protect the components connected to it from wear.
The Flange Torque Meter
Flange torque transducers are less bulky and easier to mount than shaft-type torque transducers, and are ideal for situations where space is limited. These types of torque transducers offer a robust and highly reliable solution for measuring torque, even at very high rotational speeds. The Kistler flange rotary torque transducers and related accessories supplied by Comastri Davide are:
- 4510B Flange Torque Tester: It is suitable for combustion engines, gears, rollers, electric motors and test benches; it can be directly connected to the crankshaft.
- 2304A Coupling Joints: It is specifically designed for use with the 4510 range torque transducer; available with various attachments, it can be directly screwed onto the torque transducer.
- Flange Torque Transducer 4550A (Rotor) and Flange Torque Transducer 4551A (Rotor): with a compact design, they are particularly suitable for standard testing applications and for use in confined spaces; furthermore, thanks to the rapid configuration, they also allow a drastic reduction in costs.
- Stators 4541A and 4542A: the stators are the complementary part of the rotors and are used for the acquisition of torque measurement data detected by the rotor; the stator 4541A and the 4542A are exclusive complementary parts of the Rotor 4550A
- Couplings 2305A for flange torque transducer 4550 and Couplings 2300A for flange torque transducer 4551: must be mounted directly on the unit to be measured; free from wear and maintenance, they are designed to have a high resistance to torsion
The Static Reaction Torque Meter
Static torque transducers are so called because they have no moving parts, making them robust and low-maintenance. This type of reaction sensor is particularly suitable for rapid measurement as it detects even minimal movements on the sensor axis in both directions of rotation. Static reaction torque transducers are widely used for measuring reaction torque with high dynamics and a wide bandwidth, even under quasi-static conditions (fractions of a Hertz), for torque adjustment, wrench calibration, measurements on clutches and electric motors, and testing rotary measurement switches.
The Kistler static torque transducer models supplied by Davide Comastri are:
- Torque transducers 9329A, 9339A, 9349A, 9369A, 9389A: these are pre-loaded and calibrated sensors; they allow the measurement of torque on the axis for spring torsion tests, clutch and electric motor tests, and rotary control tests.
- Torque transducers 9345B and 9365B: particularly suitable for testing the correlation between drilling torque and breaking force for PCBs, for measuring tightening torque and for screwing processes and similar, as they measure both tensile and compressive force.
A Workshop dedicated to Fastening: fastening technologies
Bolted assembly is one of the most common joining processes in nearly all industrial sectors, from automotive to mechanical engineering, from hydraulics to the pharmaceutical industry. However, fastening technologies are also used in a wide variety of production lines. However, to maximize quality and reduce costs, bolted joints, bolting tools, and torque meters must undergo constant monitoring and control, as well as being tested and calibrated before use.
Furthermore, superior technical management expertise and the use of original parts ensure longer system life and highly precise measurement results. For this reason, Comastri Distribution offers a workshop on assessing tightening torque in threaded connections, a unique opportunity for discussion and training, which will involve participants in a day of in-depth study on:
- Threaded Elements: Friction, Tightening Force, and Torque
- Threaded Elements: Screw Characteristics, Tightening on Traditional and Innovative Materials
- Failure Analysis
- Torque Verification and Measurement Instrumentation Management
- Tightening Equipment Available on the Market
The workshop is aimed at quality control managers and operators, R&D and technical office managers and operators, and production managers and operators. During the meeting, two Kistler measurement and data acquisition products will also be introduced:
- The INSPECTOR torque wrench
- The INSPECT inspection system, capable of monitoring the entire bolting process
