Controlling or monitoring the angle of socket rotation during the tightening process may seem like a no-brainer. Despite its wide range of uses, controlling and monitoring the angle is, to this day, still an incredibly useful method of ensuring a properly tightened threaded fastener. In this article, we’re going back to the basics of using Angle Monitoring and Control as tightening strategies. Read on for more information!
How Angle Monitoring and Control works – A brief explanation
Angle Control, put simply, is a tightening strategy in which the target for the final step is the angle of rotation. Once a defined torque threshold has been reached, the threaded fastener is further rotated by a pre-programmed angle of rotation to meet a ‘torque plus angle specification.
Angle Monitoring, on the other hand, is a more widely used option that involves ensuring the socket’s angle of rotation to achieve a target torque that is within predefined limits. This is a tightening strategy that can be applied in order to catch many common assembly issues, such as cross-threading, re-hits, or stripped fasteners.
Controlling and monitoring the angle of rotation is made possible by upgrading to a Smart tool, such as the Tensor STR, Tensor STB, or a handful of others, and by using a tightening controller (like the Power Focus 6000). In many applications in which quality is critical, Angle Monitoring and Control can be an ideal solution to prevent common assembly mistakes.
How to optimize the tightening process
Transforming your process away from traditional manual or pneumatic tools to Smart electric tools enables the opportunity to control or monitor the angle during the tightening process. In addition, upgrading to a Smart tool also allows for basic error-proofing, traceability, and operator guidance. Gone are the days of allowing damaged threads and/or missing screws to pass through your process. These errors are easily detected by monitoring and controlling the tightening angle.
How to trace and track the tightening process
By introducing an Angle Control or Monitoring strategy, along with an advanced tightening controller such as the Power Focus 6000 (PF6000), you will gain complete traceability, as the PF6000 stores a comprehensive log of tightening results and associated data. Further, the angle of socket rotation can be visualized in a tightening trace for a more in-depth analysis of the joint characteristics to optimize the tightening program.
Summarized: Angle monitoring and control
Angle Monitoring and Control are basic but useful tightening strategies that should not be overlooked. Used in conjunction with a tightening controller and a basic Smart tool, you will gain more ability to optimize, error-proof, and document your tightening process. For a wide range of applications within a wide range of customer segments, Angle Monitoring and Control may just be the ideal tightening strategy for you.
Interested in learning more about Angle Monitoring and Control, or about any of Atlas Copco’s other tightening strategies? Contact us to schedule a demo today!
