Handheld analyser speeds torque tool testing

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 9, 2006

Handheld torque and angle analyser offers easy plug and play operation and auto-recognition with Mountz transducers.

Mountz is launching its next generation handheld PTT torque and angle analyser.

Offering easy plug and play operation and auto-recognition with Mountz transducers, the PTT facilitates and expedites the process of setting up and running tool tests, as well as the transfer, analysis and storage of test data for ISO/SPC documentation purposes.

The combined hardware/software manufacturing solution offers tool testing, graphing capabilities and a graphical menu for easy navigation.

As an advanced torque controlling, monitoring and documentation solution, PTT enables operators and engineers to ensure product quality, safety and reliability promptly in a variety of manufacturing environments.

With system accuracies of +/-0.5% of readings from 20 to 100%, and of +/-1% of reading from 10 to 20% of full scale, products made with PTT monitored hand screwdrivers, wrenches and power tools may be safer and more reliable than products made with otherwise monitored tools.

Brad Mountz, President of Mountz, underlines the importance of experience in the development of the PTT solution: "The PTT torque and angle analyser reflects our understanding of the manufacturing environment where details and efficiency drive success".

"The PTT solves a number of practical problems associated with monitoring and documenting tool performance data".

Compared with other solutions in the market, the PTT indeed has a distinctive set of features and benefits.

Through the use of ARCII technology, the PTT automatically recognises the Mountz transducer once the two are connected.

The user interface combines an intuitive set of buttons with a sturdy LCD that allows the operator to select the desired filter, unit, mode and setup from an easy to navigate menu structure.

The operator sets the tolerance parameters which control the immediate visual and audible go/no-go signal response.

"I am impressed by the list of features and benefits that the PTT offers, it allows us to track data much more easily and efficiently", states Bill Eils, Assembly Test Process Technician of Sauer Danfoss.

In manufacturing environments, tool test data are commonly shared between various departments, typically research and development, production, cal lab and quality control.

The PTT solution allows for easy data sharing.

After the readings have been recorded, the up to 2500 data points are easily uploaded from the device's flash memory to a PC through a USB interface.

Once uploaded, the test data can be shared with other users over the regular computer network.

Torque specifications or tools being used in production can thus be easily created, evaluated or confirmed.

Dynamic rundowns can be graphed for joint analysis.

The PTT solution consists of hardware and software components.

Standard accessories that are included with the PTT handheld device are a universal charger (100-240V AC), USB cable and protective cover.

Also part of the package is a CD with three PC Windows based software programs: the PTT Interface Program, the PTT Bootloader and the Mountz Statistics Calculator.

The Mountz Statistics Calculator allows operators to perform basic SPC, CP and CPK calculations.

In order to meet the stringent requirements associated with ISO9001 quality standards, manufacturers increasingly rely on the use of a quality torque analyser to ensure that proper torque is being applied and gauge requirements are being met.

The failure of a fastener that is not properly tightened, particularly when it involves as medical devices or aerospace equipment, can have devastating consequences.