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Smart Tightening Strategies and the transition to clamp torque

4 minute(s) to read أكتوبر 23, 2024

Traditional tightening strategies, such as target torque and angle control have long been the industry standard when dealing with tightening of consistent materials. However, surely the complexities of real-world, dynamic production environments demand a more reliable and flexible approach? To ensure process consistency in such production environments, a shift towards clamp torque becomes essential.

Electronics universe
Manufacturing components at a miniature level, especially in low torque applications, presents unique challenges. Maintaining mechanical and dimensional consistency in the manufacturing process is arduous. This issue is particularly significant for electronics industries that manufacture semiconductors, consumer electronics, vehicle electronics, and medical devices, where precision is paramount.

Clamp torque is a critical value in the tightening process. In the past, the focus was primarily on achieving the target peak torque or final torque.

However, modern, complex production demands and often compels factories to source components from multiple suppliers, leading to friction variations that can impact the final product’s torque and clamp force. Therefore, attaining only target or peak torque will not ensure a properly tightened screw. Unlike target torque, clamp torque offers a more precise and reliable measure. Essentially, it measures the force between the screw head and the component it is seated on, providing insights into joint stress and helping eliminate quality issues. 

However, the demands of modern, complex production often compel factories to source components from multiple suppliers, leading to variations in friction that can impact the final product’s torque and clamp force. Therefore, attaining only target or peak torque will not ensure a properly tightened screw. Unlike target torque, clamp torque offers a more precise and reliable measure. Essentially, it measures the force between the screw head and the component it is seated on, providing insights into joint stress and helping eliminate quality issues. 

Microtorque: What is clamp torque?


Tightening challenges

Precision driven by clamp torque enhances cost efficiency and quality by reducing the need for rework and recalls, ensuring accuracy from the first turn of the screw. Without measuring clamp torque, manufacturers may face numerous challenges in their tightening processes. Incorrect tightening can significantly impact production if left unaddressed, leading to issues such as misalignment, dimension discrepancies, and floating screws, all which prevent proper clamping. These problems collectively reduce productivity, increase rework and scrap rates, and decrease quality, ultimately raising costs and impacting the brand's reputation.

Microtorque challenges


Smart Seating Strategies

To overcome these challenges Smart Seating Strategies offer an innovative solution, that goes beyond the traditional target torque approach. By focusing on measuring and controlling clamp torque, these strategies ensure consistent and high-quality tightening, even in the face of friction variations. 


Smart Torque Seating Monitoring Strategy

The Smart Torque Seating Monitoring Strategy is ideal for applications that demand precise peak target torque values with continuous clamp torque monitoring. By employing pass and fail limits for clamp torque, it delivers a robust production control, that ensures components meet exact specifications. Here one benefits from gaining more control over the tightening process while following the final torque requirements. However, it does require occasional rework to address any detected inconsistencies. Whilst it excels at detecting clamp torque variations, it does not automatically correct them.

Smart torque seating monitoring nut 1 Unknown clamp torque
Smart torque seating monitoring nut 2 Accurate clamp torque monitoring


Apply: Peak Torque
Monitor: Clamp Torque

Graph showing the Smart torque seating monitoring strategy


Smart Seating Control Strategy

The Smart Seating Control Strategy represents a more advanced approach, eliminating the need for rework by making real-time adjustments during the tightening process. This strategy continuously monitors the seating point and proactively adjusts the final torque to achieve the desired clamp torqueBy automatically compensating for friction variations, screws are fully and appropriately seated with correct clamp torque having been applied, ensuring flawless results without any rework required.

This approach not only guarantees consistent clamp torque but also aligns with the expectations of both manufacturers and end customers who require peak torque results to be documented. The Smart Seating Control Strategy thus enhances the overall quality and reliability of the tightening process, minimizing errors and ensuring high standards of production.

Smart seating control strategy nut 2 Inconsistent components
Smart seating control strategy nut 1 Automatic adjustment when tightening


Apply: Clamp Torque
Monitor: Peak Torque

Smart seating control strategy graph


Smart tightening strategies for you

Atlas Copco’s MicroTorque solutions employ the latest smart algorithms for Smart Torque Seating Monitoring and Smart Seating Control strategies which are delivering significant improvements. It is easier to set up, requires fewer input values, and provides greater accuracy. By ensuring consistent tightening processes, we aim to make your manufacturing experience more seamless and effective.

 

 

Solutions for the electronics industry
Solutions for the electronics industry
If it’s an electronic device, most likely one of our tools helped manufacture it
 
If it’s an electronic device, most likely one of our tools helped manufacture it
Download our MicroTorque Smart Integrated Electronics leaflet
Images for Smart tightening strategies in the electronics universe
Download our MicroTorque Smart Integrated Electronics leaflet
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Learn how Atlas Copco’s Smart Tightening Strategies can improve precision and consistency in your assembly process with advanced MicroTorque solutions.
 
Learn how Atlas Copco’s Smart Tightening Strategies can improve precision and consistency in your assembly process with advanced MicroTorque solutions.

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