FAQs

What is torque and tension?

T=Torque

Torque is twisting or turning force

Tension is the act or process of stretching something tight

Torque is used for creating Tension.

Basic Torque Calculations

Therefore, a longer lever will require less hand force to produce the same amount of torque.

T1 = F1 x L1 = 10 lbs x 2 ft = 20 ft·lbs

T2 = F2 x L2 = 20 lbs x 1 ft = 20 ft·lbs

T1 = T2

 

Weight and Mass

Mass will not change anywhere on the earth, even under zero gravity conditions, while weight is the amount caused by an acceleration that is felt by the body on which the acceleration is acting. In a no gravity zone there is no feeling of weight. The gravity acceleration is different depending on your lattitude location on the earth. The weight of an object depends on its mass and strength of the gravitational pull.

Examples of Force, Mass, and Length Units

• Force Unit: [N] Newton SI Unit (International Standard)
  • One Newton [N] (equivalent 0.1[kgf] is the force cause by accelerating a mass of 1kg at 1m/s2
  • [kgf] kilogram force) previous Japanese standard units prior to adoption of SI International Standard
• Mass Unit: [kg] kilogram
• Length Unit: [m] meter

Torque Units: SI, Metric and American

Because torque is a product of length and force. The units used to describe torque reference both a force and a length. There are three common torque units: SI (International Standard) based on Newton meters, Metric based on kilogram force centimeters, and American/ English based on inch pounds.

• SI Unit [N.m] Newton meter
  • 1000 [nNm]=100 [cNm]=1 [Nm]=0.001 [kNm]
• Metric Unit: [kgf.cm]
  Kilogram force centimeter

• 1000 [gf.cm.]=1[kgf.cm]=0.01[kgf.m]

• Imperial/American/English Unit: [lbf.in] inch pounds
  • 16[ozf.in]=1[lbf.in.]=0.0833[lbf.ft.]

 

Why do we tighten bolts and screws?

Fasteners tightening is done in order to stop objects from moving–to fix them. The following are the major objectives of fastener tightening:

1. For fixing and joining objects

2. For transmitting driving force and braking force

3. For sealing drain bolts, gas, and liquid

The fixing force is referred to as axial tension or tightening force and the objective of screw tightening is to apply an appropriate amount of axial tension.

Although axial tension is really what needs to be controlled and measured, it is very difficult to do so, therefore torque is used as a substitute characteristic for administering and controlling tightening operations.

Therefore, a longer lever will require less hand force to produce the same amount of torque.

T1 = F1 x L1 = 10 lbs x 2 ft = 20 ft·lbs

T2 = F2 x L2 = 20 lbs x 1 ft = 20 ft·lbs

T1 = T2

Use of Adapter

Formula:	TA x L L + A = TW
Length (L) =	Effective length of the wrench as described below.
Dial Wrenches =	The measured distance from the center of the square drive to the center ring or notch on the handle.
Micrometer Wrenches =	The measured length from the center of the square drive to the center of the handle, with the wrench set at the desired torque reading.
Desired Torque (TA) =	The torque value designated for the fastener with or without an adapter.
Added Length of Adapter (A) =	The measured length from the center of the adapter drive to the center of the wrench square drive.
New Setting (TW) =	The torque setting on the wrench allowing for the added length of the adapter. This reading will be lower than the desired torque.
Example:	250 ft. lb. Dial Wrench using a 2” long crowfoot adapter L = Effective Length: 18.75” Desired Torque = 250 ft. lb. Length of Adapter = 2”
Result:	18.75″ x 250 ft. lb. 18.75″ + 2″ = Pull Wrench to 226 ft. lb.