Modern measurement devices, whether heavy-duty loading cells or torque wrenches, are vital to many of today’s industries, and the correct use and maintenance of these items ensures measurement service of the highest magnitude. Different load cell types and torque wrench variants are the right tool for different jobs.
Torque Wrenches
This tool, which comes in several varieties, is often used in today’s industry by professionals and amateurs alike. A torque wrench is a tool used for applying specific torque to any faster, such as nuts and bolts, as was invented by Conrad Bahr in 1918. These wrenches are used when a specific, often pre-set amount of force is necessary, and the fastener should not be under- or over-fastened. So, measurement service is essential for these tools, no matter what wrench type is being used.
A beam wrench has a slightly flexible beam on it between the handle and wrench head, and as it is used, a measurement device with a needle (not unlike a bathroom scale) will show the force being applied with the instrument on a clearly marked display. Torque measurement can grow distorted over time, so another torque wrench, a standard device with a known magnitude, is used for reference as the other tool is adjusted.
Measurement service can also be carried out with a click wrench, according to Do It Yourself. This wrench is a sort of socket wrench and as it is used, the clutch inside slips once the pre-set torque maximum is reached, acting as a brake from excessive force. Measurement service is also found in electronic torque wrenches, which send a signal to a transducer while used, and an LED display shows the torque being applied. A maximum torque limit can be programmed into the wrench and readings can be saved onto a memory stick.
Loading Cells
A load cell, as defined at Omega, is a transducer which creates a measured electrical reading when force is applied to a surface. This measurement service is frequently used for non-intrusive, highly accurate reading of a load’s measurement data, and their accuracy can often reach 0.03 to 1%, depending on the load type. This is the most common load cell type, being proven and used for over forty years, especially since the technology often improves and prices go down.
Strain gage load cells are very common, and this measurement service uses four beams that deform as weight is placed on the platform, and this force registers as a readable electrical signal. Hydraulic sensors, by contrast, measure weight by the force that a load exerts onto a fluid-filled chamber, and since these load cells are non-electric, they can be used in hazardous areas, and often have an accuracy within 0.25% of the load’s weight. These load cells are resistant to cold, too, being able to function at -76 degrees Fahrenheit (-60 degrees Celsius).
