How many types of torque

The muscle you apply to the top of a screw-top jelly jar is torque. And when you use a wrench on a threaded fastener such as a bolt, nut, screw, or stud , you're applying torque to either tighten it or loosen it.

But how tight is tight? Certain types of fasteners—many of which are used on a variety of mechanical devices, including automobiles—require tightening to a specific amount so that the component operates properly. That's where a torque wrench comes in. What's the best torque wrench? That's not easy to say. The simplest way to answer that is to point out that there are numerous good ones see the list at the end of this article for a few suggestions , so it's important that you know what a torque wrench does and what you need to know to find the best torque wrench for you.

The difference between a basic wrench and a torque wrench is that the latter indicates—with either an electronic window, a clicking noise, a needle, or a gauge—exactly how much force is being applied to its handle. It's important, but not well-known, that many fasteners require a very specific tightening specification.

When it comes to certain nuts and bolts on cars, guessing it's "tight enough" is almost never right. Why is it important to know precisely how much force or torque is being applied? Too loose and the fastener might back off, causing an obvious issue. Too tight and the fastener or the fastened part might be damaged or distorted. A mechatronic torque wrench is a modern variant which also provides a digital display reading.

The downsides to this type of torque wrench are important to note. Being able to stop as soon as you hear the click will minimize the amount of over-torquing but takes good motor control. This peculiar-looking wrench uses a long beam attached to the head as a plumb line, as well as a scale on the handle beneath it.

This handle is designed to flex slightly as the amount of torque increases, causing the scale to shift under the pointer. Reading the tool is similar to using a regular weight scale, with the position of the pointer on the scale indicating the amount of torque currently applied.

Beam-style torque wrenches are simplest in design and use physics to give highly accurate readings. They require the least amount of maintenance and tend to have the longest lifespan.

For this reason, they are commonly used to help calibrate other tools. Unfortunately, they can be more difficult to read and far less convenient than modern click-style wrenches, making them a poor choice for beginners. Note that a modern variation of the beam type is the aptly-named dial type.

This version uses a gauge-style dial to indicate the torque and is much easier to use due to the simpler display. Because it has fewer components than the common clicker type wrench and any critical parts are welded together, its a great option for commercial environments. It works by utilizing two beams. The main beam has the handle which you use to apply torque. The secondary beam is partially attached to the head and acts as an indicator beam.

You get the ease of use provided by a click-style torque wrench since they follow the same mechanics. Instead, this electronic torque wrench will provide extra feedback and prevent overtightening, offering far better accuracy than a standard click-style torque wrench.

These torque wrenches are generally styled like a socket wrench, but they have a ball and cam system inside the head. Once the appropriate torque level has been achieved, the cam locks into place.

If you continue to apply pressure, the cam will slip. This prevents it from continuing to tighten, which is the major advantage of a slipper torque wrench. Beam torque wrenches are about as basic as torque wrenches get. They feature two beams and a small gauge——one of which moves and acts as a needle on the dial.

Naturally, these are some of the least accurate torque wrenches. When it points to your desired torque rating, you simply stop applying pressure. Unlike a standard beam torque wrench, you can actually set your desired torque rating on the wrench, and it will stop tightening when you reach it.

You can set the desired torque rating by opening the hinge. While beam torque wrenches are quite affordable, split beam torque wrenches tend to be pretty pricey. This is mainly because of their high degree of accuracy.

Unlike some other types of torque wrenches, split beam torque wrenches prevent overtightening. Because of this, they tend to outlast other types of torque wrenches. They provide several levels of feedback with an audible noise and an indicator pin that you can see.

Many people believe that deflecting beam torque wrenches offer more consistent readings than other similar tools. Hydraulic torque wrenches are heavy-duty apparatuses that are intended for working with industrial-sized fasteners.

The biggest nuts and bolts require the most torque, and hydraulic torque wrenches are the tools to use in such situations. On top of being incredibly powerful, hydraulic torque wrenches are also extremely accurate. These tools can be accessed anywhere as they are cordless torque wrenches and do not require any extension boards or hoses for power.

However, the battery torque wrench offers lower maximum torque capacity as compared to hydraulic and pneumatic torque tools. In conclusion, different torque wrenches are designed to provide options and solutions based on industry requirements and specifications. This provides the customer with the flexibility to choose which wrench suits their requirements best. Visit us next time to know more about industrial bolting.

Quality Policy. HSE Policy. Privacy Policy. Hydraulic Torque Wrench The most common and popular torque wrench in the industry is a hydraulic torque wrench.