Imagine you are riding the bike hard uphill and the tires come flying towards you out of nowhere. what will you do?
This accident happened to me a few days ago. The reason is that the tire bolts have become loose. When driving at high pressures, the tires constantly vibrate vigorously, and the vibrations are transmitted to the bolts. Eventually, the bolt came off completely and the tire wore out.
So, how do you prevent it from happening?
Right Torque for Tire! More precisely, the right tools with right torque to install the tires.
But, how do you know the right torque?
The low torque means loose. The high torque means bolt damaged. In fact, USA and Euro Union have the standard torque requirement for reference. The accurate torque is various by different model and years.
So where does this origin come from?
Human began to use stone tools from Paleolithic Age, 2 million years ago. In the museum, the stone axes was for cutting animal meat or skin. In ancient times, the bones was even applied as material to make needles and other tools. In the Stone Age, human know how to use fire. To transfer fire "#security", human may use two bones to grip the fire. I guess, our ancestors should have found, in order to grip the heavy stuff, they use lever principle with less effort by tied the sticks together with rope as X-shape. This may be the first pliers.
When talking about tools, we must mention its good friend, #screws. In the ancient written record, the screws is mainly applied in pumping equipment. Later, it is largely applied into the combination or connection in Middle Age. At that time, the screw is already made by metal. To tighten the screw, tool is necessary. So wrench just show up in the history. However, the nut, the bolt and the wrench were invented at the same time, which means the size of the thread pitch, the nut head shape and size are inconsistent.
This is very confusing.
Using what kind of wrench or screwdriver to loosen the screw? Regarding this issue, every craftsman in that time are using destructive way to "loose" nut. Therefore, the failure rate is high when using the nut application.
Various size of nuts chaos maintained a period. In the Industrial Revolution Age, finally we see the change. #Industrial #Revolution means the coming of mass production, and it also means the markets is on the way to #international #trade direction. The most importance of international trade is #quality, called #consistent. Without consistent, the products cannot sell to worldwide market. The #England people start to set up a #standard of assembly screw/nut for their mechanical equipment, for the future easier #repairing and #maintenance. However, the private enterprise are not willing to share the specification to other competitors because of protecting their market. Then, the market in that period is full of various size/specification but different quality of screws, nuts, wrench and screwdrivers.
After world war I, as the spare parts for weapon dimensions is inconsistent among the alleged countries, the parts couldn't be used among allies. It said this problem forced the international standard implementation. In this way, as the screws unify the specification, the normalization on tools is following accordingly. The glory of standard wrench and screw driver hand tools is starting to appear in worldwide market.
Standardization, which means each national standard Inspection Bureau can take that specification sheet as reference. For example, in the beginning, Germany use DIN, but now European Union use ISO. America use ANSI, and Japan follow JIS. The specification in Taiwan is using according Japan/US.
"High-quality products" usually mean advanced functions and smart upgrades.
Torque control is the basis for quality control in various industries, especially the machinery industry, so having good tools can get twice the result with half the effort.
Today let's briefly talk about the two basic tools, one is a torque wrench and the other is a tension gauge.
A digital torque wrench is a digital tool used for measuring torque. It typically consists of a digital torque sensor and a digital display. These tools provide more accurate and reliable measurements and can connect to computers or other digital devices for data analysis and storage.
Difference Between a Torque Wrench and a Digital Torque Wrench.
- Torque Wrench:
- Design and Display:
Traditional torque wrenches usually use a mechanical pointer or dial to display torque. Torque is measured through mechanical devices, requiring manual reading and recording of values.
- Accuracy:
Generally, accuracy is lower due to manual reading errors.
Suitable for general tightening tasks.
- Functionality:
Functions are relatively simple, only measuring and displaying the current torque value.
Does not have data storage or analysis capabilities.
2. Digital Torque Wrench:
- Design and Display:
Equipped with a digital display screen that can intuitively display torque values.
Measures torque through digital sensors, providing more precise readings.
- Accuracy:
Higher accuracy, capable of providing values accurate to decimal points.
Suitable for high-precision tightening tasks.
- Functionality:
Features data storage and playback functions, allowing the recording of each use's torque value. Can connect to computers or other devices for data analysis and management.
Some models also have sound or vibration alerts to remind operators when the set torque value is reached.
In summary, a digital torque wrench offers higher accuracy and more features compared to a traditional torque wrench, making it suitable for applications requiring high precision and data. Meanwhile, traditional torque wrenches are more suitable for general tightening tasks and are relatively less expensive.