Torque transducers, also known as torque sensors, are tools that measure twisting force, or torque. In simple terms, they help you understand how much force is being used to turn, twist or rotate something, like a bolt, a motor shaft or a machine part.
Getting this measurement right is essential, especially in industries where safety and performance are priorities. Torque transducers make it easy to capture this information accurately, helping you work more efficiently, avoid damage and keep everything running smoothly.
Torque transducers are instrumental in testing engines and other vital components in the automotive and aerospace sectors, as well as in ensuring safety and quality in manufacturing processes.
Torque transducers empower engineers and operatives by helping them test and determine how different components behave under stress. This ensures the correct torque measurement and provides valuable insights for maintenance, quality control, and design.
In this article, we explore in more detail what torque transducers are, how they work and in which applications they might be used.
What is a torque transducer?
A torque transducer is a measurement device that converts torque into an electrical signal so it can be measured and recorded for compliance and traceability. Torque transducers provide reliable measurements that can be shown on a connected display device, printed out or sent for analysis.
When properly calibrated and maintained, torque transducers can deliver repeatable and highly accurate results in real time. They are crucial tools for modern torque measurement environments to ensure that components perform as they should and that assemblies are safe and secure.
What types of torque transducers are there?
The two types of torque transducers most typically used in industry are:
- Static Torque Transducers: Static or Stationary torque transducers (sometimes also known as reaction transducers) are used to measure torque without rotation. Static torque transducers use the stress or strain applied directly to them, to measure the torque accurately.
- Rotary Torque Transducers: Unlike static transducers, rotary torque transducers measure the torque of a component that’s in rotation. The shaft of the rotary transducer turns, in-line, as part of the system. This helps measure accurate torque whilst the tested piece of equipment is running rather than when it’s still.
How do torque transducers work?
Torque transducers are all about precision. They convert the torque from various sources, like tightening tools or high-speed motors, into an electrical signal that can be measured. This way, the operator can accurately track how much torque is being applied.
To do this, torque transducers use a strain gauge to help monitor changes in the shape of a material; these changes are tiny and impossible to see with the naked eye. A strain gauge is built into the torque transducer, usually placed on the shaft or the part that twists when force is applied. It’s there to pick up even the tiniest changes and help deliver accurate, reliable torque readings.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step look at how it works:
Step 1: The operative applies torque to the shaft, which causes minor deformations such as a twist or stretch.
Step 2: The strain gauge then measures these changes, which changes its electrical resistance in response to the deformations.
Step 3: The torque transducer registers the change in resistance, and the signal is converted into a readable electrical output.
Step 4: This reading can then be displayed, recorded or sent to another system for analysis. This helps improve compliance, reliability and safety of the equipment being measured.
It’s important to note that there are many transducers available, but not all offer the same features. At Crane, we offer an extensive range of torque transducers to help meet your needs.
Static Torque Transducers
Our static torque transducers are available in a variety of configurations to ensure they meet a number of applications. For example, we offer impact tool stationary transducers, flange to flange, flange to square, square to square static transducers as well as deck torque calibrators for marine and offshore applications.
Rotary Torque Transducers
Our rotary torque transducer range includes the popular CheckStar and CheckStar Multi, non-contacting coupling, clamping and bearing transducers and slip ring transducers. Being an official distributor, we can also offer the full range of Lorenz Messtechnik torque transducers too.
Bespoke Requirements
If you need a custom-built torque transducer, we offer a bespoke manufacturing service to help you design a transducer to your exact requirements. As a name recognised across the torque industry, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re in safe hands.
Which industries use torque transducers?
Torque transducers are used across many industries to ensure reliability, traceability and accuracy in torque measurement. Torque transducers can be used in assembly and quality control applications, either to ensure power and hand tools are delivering the correct torque to fasteners, or for actually checking that fasteners on critical parts have been tightened to the correct specification.
Higher torque or more heavy-duty applications for transducers include measuring the torque applied through ship engine shafts or monitoring the torque applied by mixers in industrial slurry tanks.
Some of the industries that use torque transducers include:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Power and Energy Generation
- General Manufacturing and Assembly
- Construction and Heavy Industry
- Marine and Offshore
- Rail, Subway and Rapid Transit
Where can I have a torque transducer calibrated?
To keep torque transducers delivering accurate and precise measurements, it’s essential to calibrate them regularly. Skipping this step can lead to incorrect readings, which might compromise safety and quality. If torque isn’t measured properly, it can result in serious issues, like component failure, potentially causing injuries or even worse outcomes.
If you have a Crane torque transducer, then remember to book a calibration with us. Our accredited service and calibration centres offer torque calibration services for our entire range of torque tools and equipment.
We pride ourselves on our expert calibration services, experienced and knowledgeable team, and high-quality customer support. From our dedicated centres, we can calibrate for torque ranges from 0.1Nm to 28,000 Nm. But if you need higher measurements than these, we can calibrate all torque measurement equipment up to 165,000 Nm at our external facilities.
We offer a full range of in-house and 3rd -party accredited calibrations (UKAS, NIST etc.), as well as a service and repair offering where required. Our facilities are also ISO 17025 accredited and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 registered.
Contact Crane for all of your torque measurement requirements
Whether you need rotary or static torque transducers or a bespoke transducer that’s designed to your exact requirements and application, Crane can help. Available in a range of configurations, each of our torque transducers is designed to deliver accurate, consistent measurements so you can have confidence that your torque measurement equipment is reliable.
If you would like to find out more about our torque transducers, bespoke transducer design service or torque calibration capabilities, please do not hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have.