Calibrating and Maintaining Your Digital Torque Wrench

Just like any other industrial tool, digital torque wrenches need to be regularly calibrated and properly maintained. Yet, calibrating & maintaining them can be puzzling. Check out our article on how you can ensure your digital torque wrenches’ pinpoint accuracy and prolong their lifespan.
A manufacturing facility with several workers in blue uniforms assembling large vehicle components. Machinery and tools are scattered throughout the brightly lit, organized space. The primary focus is on one worker attending to a vehicle frame on a yellow platform.
Published on:
09 October 2023
Updated on:
14 February 2024

To maintain its performance, industrial tools must be properly maintained and undergo regular inspections. Digital torque wrenches are no exception to this principle. Even though they’re smaller than most industrial tools, digital torque wrenches still require significant effort in their calibration and maintenance. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Digital Torque Wrenches here to know more on this multifunctional tool.

Digital torque wrench calibration and maintenance can indeed be puzzling. Especially if you’re new to this tool, or just recently transitioned from conventional torque wrenches.

In this guide, we will answer common questions surrounding digital torque wrench calibration and maintenance. We’ll explain what a digital torque wrench calibration is, where and when to calibrate it, how the calibration process works, and tips to keep your digital torque wrench in good shape.

Introduction to Calibrating and Maintaining Digital Torque Wrenches

When it comes to digital torque wrench care, there are two critical elements: regular calibration and proper maintenance. Both might sound similar, but they involve different actions and serve different goals.

Calibration involves attaching your digital torque wrench to a torque wrench calibration tool (also commonly called a torque loading bench). Your digital torque wrenches should be regularly calibrated to ensure their accuracy.

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Why Should You Integrate Your Digital Torque Wrench With Digital Work Instructions?

There are numerous advantages of integrating your digital torque wrench with a digital work instruction platform. Many of our customers have experienced tangible improvements to their operations by using a digital works instructions solution.

Digital work instructions are revolutionizing communications in the workplace. Visual guidance brings a higher sense of clarity and precision for your workers when executing torquing tasks. The results will be apparent in the quality and safety of your end products.

It’s even more evident in tasks where a specific sequence must be followed. In the assembly of a car’s engine, for example, components must be fastened in a specific continuous order. With digital work instructions, your workers will be visually guided through the correct sequence of components fastening.

Not only that, but your workers will also be visually informed of the required torque value, to the last decimal digits, in each specific nut and bolt. This will be automatically crosschecked by the sound and light feedback signals emitted by your digital torque wrench.

What’s more, you can even program both your digital work instruction and digital torque wrench to follow a predetermined sequence. This means that your workers cannot proceed to the next step of the assembly process if the required torque value hasn’t been applied or if there are other forms of mistakes. This feature ensures the quality compliance of your products.

Easily Understood Instructions

The greatest advantage of integrating your digital torque wrench with digital work instructions is having an instructions set that is easily understood. Thanks to easily added visual cues such as images, arrow pointers, color coding, animations, and videos, work instructions can be understood at a glance in a matter of seconds by your torquing workers.

With this feature, work instructions can seamlessly pinpoint specific assembly components, as well as their precise instructions on what to do with them. This is a huge improvement from previously hefty manual books, where workers have to traverse hundreds of pages just for a specific instruction.

Besides that, a good digital work instructions platform’s interface must be intuitive and user-friendly. For managers, drafting digital work instructions is a walk in the park. Thanks to its drag-and-drop nature, no prior coding or graphic design skill is necessary to draft a good digital work instruction. A page of work instruction can be completed in a matter of minutes, saving your managers valuable time.

Hence, integrating your digital torque wrench will surely be appreciated by your managers and production workers.

Real-Time Data Capture and Analysis for Quality Control:

A digital work instructions platform. Our software allows you to link your digital torque wrench to other devices, such as a PC or a tablet. This allows a seamless exchange of data between your digital torque wrench and other production tools.

With this feature, quality control officers can easily read the torque readings of production workers, all from the comfort of their desks in the office. Gone are the days when quality control officers had to go back and forth, between the production line and their office for quality checking.

If a torquing defect is detected, a quality control officer can instantly notify production workers on the site. This saves plenty of time and energy for your quality control officers, which can be freed for other tasks. Discover more here on how a real-time data collection feature has successfully improved Nitto’s production efficiency significantly.

Improved Traceability and Better Compliance

Another major advantage of this integration is an enhanced level of traceability. Thanks to our record-keeping feature, readings from your digital torque wrench can be stored within a digital work instructions software platform. This data can be used again in the future, such as for a long-term quality evaluation. Furthermore, the collected data could also be used as a databank to fulfill audit and certification requirements.

Limiting the Risks of Over – and Undertorquing

In torque-related works, both over- and under-torquing are frequently found issues. At a glance, they might seem negligible and benign. However, they carry grave consequences, such as damaging the assembled part, lowering your product’s lifespan, and sometimes even leading to fatal accidents.

From various torque-related incidents, a common cause is due to poor nuts or bolts installation by assembly or maintenance workers. Consequently, it’s critical that your workers fully understand the required torquing procedures.

By using digital work instructions, you will seriously reduce the possibility of human errors among your workers. Digital work instructions offer real-time guidance, with immensely deep details. It can even pinpoint instructions to a specific nut or bolt, along with the required torque in Newton meters or other similar units, down to the last decimal points.

Digital work instructions also provide you with easily customizable visual cues, such as arrows and other shape icons, color coding, animations, and even videos. Since the guidance is real-time and can be integrated with your digital torque wrench, it will also provide instant feedback to your workers on whether the correct torque value has been applied.

You can even set your digital torque wrench to automatically stop if a sufficient torque value has been reached. This innovation tremendously reduces the chances of torquing mistakes, improving the quality and safety of your products.

A precision torque wrench calibration setup is shown. It consists of dual horizontal metal rods supporting a central mechanism with a digital gauge, mounted on a sturdy base. An electronic control unit is placed to the side. The workspace surface is black.

In addition to calibration, there are also several actions that you need to apply to properly maintain your digital torque wrenches. Both calibration and maintenance are paramount for any digital torque wrench user, here’s why:

The Importance of Accurate Torque Readings

In torquing-related works, accuracy is the most important element. Giving the precise torque amount is critical. Too little torque will lead to loose nuts and bolts. On the other hand, too much torque will damage them and the object that they are attached to.

Either possibility should always be avoided. Not only will it impact your product’s quality, but the safety of your workers and customers as well. Countless incidents have been caused by poor torquing work. For example, an improperly installed bolt caused the crash of Emery Worldwide Flight 17, leading to 3 fatalities.

Even if poor torquing work doesn’t always cost lives, it can still lead to financial and man-hour losses. Last year, Toyota had to recall around 46,000 Toyota Tundra cars due to the risks of loose nuts.

Hence, there should be no compromise when it comes to torquing precision.

Protecting Your Digital Torque Wrench’s Longevity

Compared to their analog counterparts, digital torque wrenches are far costlier. In any marketplace, digital torque wrenches typically cost hundreds of Euros, with higher-end ones costing you  €1,500 or more.

Due to its high purchasing cost, keeping your digital torque wrench’s lifespan as long as possible is in your best interest. With proper maintenance and care, your wrenches can remain functional for the next 10 years and even beyond.

Understanding Calibration

By this point, it’s clear that calibrating your digital torque wrench regularly is indeed crucial. Yet, what is digital torque wrench calibration exactly?

In brief, digital torque wrench calibration is an activity to check your device’s measurement accuracy. It’s important to see whether your digital torque wrench still conforms to industry standards. For example, if your digital torque wrench applies 20 Newton meters (Nm) of torque, then it must precisely display 20 Nm on its display – not more or less.

Similarly, if you input it to apply 30 Nm of torque to a certain bolt, then it must also accurately apply 30 Nm to that particular bolt. Insufficient torque can lead to a loose bolt, and too much torque will damage that bolt and its joint to your product.

There are of course tolerance levels of torque deviation for each bolt and nut joints in your product. For example, the internationally respected ISO 6789:2017 standards allow a max 4-6% measurement deviation, depending on the wrench type.

Regardless, the less deviation there is, the safer, durable, and all-round higher quality your product will be. It can’t be stressed further: precision is key. All industrial devices that have measurement functions should be regularly calibrated – and digital torque wrenches are no exception.

An industrial machine with a control panel and a large work surface mounted on a cabinet with multiple drawers. The setup includes levers, buttons, and a hand crank. The entire unit is on wheels for mobility.

Explaining What Calibration Entails

A digital torque wrench can only be calibrated using a special torque wrench calibrator tool. Such torque wrench calibrator tools can easily be found in any power tool’s marketplace, both online and offline. Moreover, they usually can work with both digital and analog torque wrenches.

Torque wrench calibrator tools cost from upwards of EUR €1,000 to over  EUR €10,000. Their price varies depending on their accuracy rate, maximum torque range, and additional features, such as the ability to connect with other electronic devices.

Due to the high cost of torque wrench calibrator tools and their complexity, some users prefer to outsource their calibration to 3rd party calibrator services. We will further explore the qualities of a good torque wrench calibrator tool, and whether you should purchase one or use a professional calibration service instead, in the next sections of this article.

The calibration method varies depending on the wrench type and the torque wrench calibrator tool. In general, you need to attach your digital torque wrench to the torque wrench calibrator tool, apply a predetermined amount of torque in a certain frequency, and compare the torque readings of both devices (with the torque wrench calibrator tool being the benchmark).

Calibration vs Self-Check

There is a common misconception about digital torque wrenches: that they can calibrate themselves. In reality, digital torque wrenches cannot self-calibrate, and require the help of an external tool to undertake its calibration.

Digital torque wrenches do commonly have a “self-check” feature. However, “self-check” and calibration are two different things. This “self-check” feature allows a digital torque wrench to detect whether there is any damage to its electrical components. However, it doesn’t check the accuracy of its torque readings.

Highlighting the Role of Calibration in Precision Work

In using a digital torque wrench, either for personal or industrial purposes, taking regular calibrations is a must. Calibration allows you to know whether the measurements of your digital torque wrench are still accurate, and have a direct impact on the safety and quality of your products.

Good precision in production does pay off: it guarantees your products’ safety, not having to worry about recalls due to defects, and earns your customer’s loyalty thanks to your excellent reputation.

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When to Calibrate Your Digital Torque Wrench

When you purchase your new digital torque wrench, generally it has been calibrated by its manufacturer as a part of a quality control process. You can typically find its calibration certificate within its packaging.

However, as time goes on, wear and tear from continuous usage definitely takes a toll on your digital torque wrench. Naturally, this will impact your wrench’s performance, including its ability to measure torque. As a result, you should regularly calibrate your digital torque wrench to assess its accuracy. Yet, how often should you do it?

According to the globally recognized ISO 6789:2017, a torque wrench should be calibrated at least every 12 months or 5,000 usages – whichever takes place first. However, some users feel more confident with frequent calibrations, such as every 6 months or 2,000-3,000 usages.

However, counting precisely how many usages have passed can be challenging. Thus, many professional users prefer to stick to a month-based calibration routine, instead of a usage-based one. The general rule of thumb: the more frequent the calibration is, the sooner a defect can be detected on your digital torque wrench. Using a digital solution such as Azumuta’s Quality Management module can help you track your digital torque wrench’s calibration and maintenance regime.

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Factors Influencing Calibration Frequency

International standards and frequency of usage aside, there are also several other factors that influence the accuracy of your digital torque wrench, such as:

External Impacts

Due to their sturdy appearance, a digital torque wrench is frequently treated as just “another tool in the toolbox”. However, a digital torque wrench is in fact an electronic device, with delicate sensors within.

External impacts such as being accidentally dropped or getting slammed into other objects can damage its internal electrical components. Thus, should you drop your digital torque wrench, it’s advisable to recalibrate it, just to be safe.

Frequent Overcapacity in Its Usage

All industrial devices, either digital or analog, have a maximum capacity that they can handle. For digital torque wrenches, their maximum capacity can easily be found in their product specifications from the manufacturer, generally stated in Newton meters (Nm) or feet-pounds (ft-lb).

Due to the challenging demands in your industry, occasionally you might need to do torquing tasks that are beyond the existing capacity of your digital torque wrench. Or perhaps, you accidentally set a torquing value that is beyond the intended capacity of your wrench.

According to ISO 6789:2017 standards, should you set your wrench to apply torque more than 25% of its intended maximum capacity, then a calibration of your wrench is necessary.

Recognizing Signs of a Wrench Needing Calibration or Maintenance

Besides ISO standards and the reasons stated above, there are also some noticeable signs that show that your wrench needs calibration or maintenance. For example, if the torque reading of the wrench seems “off” compared to when it was recently purchased. Or if your wrench has electric motors, it feels “less powerful” than usual.

Another noticeable sign can be observed by simply visually checking the wrench itself. Are there parts that seem damaged? Screws that seem loose? Is there corrosion or any visible effects of wear and tear? If so, it might be a good idea to get your digital torque wrench checked and calibrated.

Calibration Process Step by Step

In this section, we will discuss the technical aspect of digital torque wrench calibration. It’s important to know which calibration tools are used, what are the steps, and to understand the results of your digital torque wrench’s calibration.

Tools and Equipment Required for Accurate Calibration and Their Costs

To calibrate your digital torque wrench, the only thing that you need to prepare is a torque wrench calibrator tool (and spare batteries if your digital torque wrench is non-rechargeable battery-powered). Choosing the correct torque wrench calibrator tool can be overwhelming for beginners since there are numerous available choices in the market. Here are some important considerations when choosing a torque wrench calibrator tool.

Torque Range

The most significant consideration in selecting a torque wrench calibrator tool is its torque range. Torque range refers to the maximum amount of torque (generally stated in Nm or lb-ft) that a torquing device (both a torque wrench and a calibrator) can handle.

Be sure that your digital torque wrench’s torque range is still within the limits of your calibrator tool. This information can be found on the specifications module of both your digital torque wrench and your potential calibrator tool.

If you have multiple torque wrenches with varying torque ranges, then it’s better to buy a calibrator tool that corresponds with the torque range of your most powerful wrench. That way, it can calibrate your most powerful wrench and any other less-powerful wrench.

Calibration Precision

As has been stressed on numerous occasions, precision should never be compromised when it comes to torquing. This principle also applies to torque wrench calibrator tools. As they work as an accuracy inspector, your torque wrench calibrator tool’s accuracy must be higher than the tested wrench.

On the market, torque wrench calibrator tools offer varying levels of precision, with their maximum deviation ranging from 1% to 0.1% The lower the deviation is, the more accurate it is.

Often, its accuracy rate corresponds well to its price tag as well. If your industry requires stringent safety certifications throughout the entire production process (the aerospace industry, for example), it might be worthwhile to invest in the higher-end torque wrench calibrator tools.

Datalink Capabilities

Some torque wrench calibrator tools possess datalink capabilities with your other electronic devices, either through USB or a wireless network. This allows you to transfer your calibration results to your computer, which can be useful for documentation purposes. However, this feature is typically unavailable in the most basic torque wrench calibration tools.

A horizontal benchtop testing machine with a black base, metal components, and a cylindrical testing area. It features labeled parts and adjustable segments. The device is used for mechanical or material testing.

An Overview of the Calibration Procedure in Simple Steps

Calibrating your digital torque wrench is a rigorous process. Here is the general overview of the steps needed to calibrate your digital torque wrench, according to ISO 6789:2017 standards:

  1. The calibration must be done in a room with a constant temperature and humidity to ensure measurement accuracy. The room’s temperature must be between +18°C to +28°C. Throughout the calibration process, the temperature cannot deviate by more than 1°C. Moreover, the room’s relative humidity should not exceed 90%.
  2. Place your torque wrench calibrator tool in either a perfectly flat horizontal surface, such as a sturdy work table, or a perfectly flat vertical surface (although this option is rarely chosen).
  3. Use your digital torque wrench to apply torque to the designated part of your torque calibrator tool. To fulfill the ISO 6789:2017 requirements, apply three different torque forces: the minimum torque capacity of your wrench mentioned in the specifications, at 60% capacity, and at 100% capacity.

The number of trials per force level varies depending on the wrench type. Check out the second part of the ISO 6789:2017 manual for more detailed information.

Understanding the Results of Your Digital Torque Wrench Calibration

After taking the aforementioned steps, it’s the moment of truth. Does your digital torque wrench pass the calibration test? Is it still accurate and worthy of future use? There are two possible results of your digital torque wrench calibration: positive or negative.

A positive result means that the measurements of your digital torque wrench compared to the benchmark (the torque wrench calibrator tool) are either the same or have a deviation of a maximum of 4-6% (depending on the type of the wrench, as different wrench types have differing deviation standards). These standards are set by the internationally regarded ISO 6789:2017 standards. The lower the deviation is, the better.

On the contrary, if your digital torque wrench’s measurement has a deviation of over 4-6%, it means that your wrench is deemed inaccurate. Mark this particular wrench, and separate it from other wrenches that have passed the calibration test. Do not use it for any purpose, as its accuracy has been compromised and will jeopardize the quality and safety of your products.

However, you can always send this inaccurate torque wrench to its manufacturer or a certified agent for repair. Be sure to check if this occurs within the warranty period.

Last but not least, always check your digital torque wrench’s accuracy again after the repair, to ensure that it falls within the aforementioned 4-6% deviation tolerance. If the repair cost is at least half of the cost of a new equivalent digital torque wrench (and especially if the inaccurate wrench already has years of service to it), it might be a wiser choice to buy a new one instead.

Regular Inspections and Professional Servicing

From the procedures mentioned above, it can be concluded that calibrating a digital torque wrench in compliance with ISO 6789:2018 is a highly technical and arduous task. Unfortunately, not every company has the resources or the expertise to properly calibrate their wrenches.

Therefore, some companies prefer to hire professional third-party services to calibrate their wrenches. Some torque wrench producers such as Atlas Copco offer calibration services for their customers.

Of course, financial considerations play an important role, in whether to calibrate your digital torque wrenches in-house or to outsource them to external service providers, which we will discuss further in this section.

The Benefits of Periodic Inspections by Third-Party Professionals

Lower Initial Cost

Torque wrench calibration tools are expensive, as they can easily cost thousands of Euros. If you operate a small number of wrenches, it makes no financial sense to spend thousands on a machine that you will only use a few times per year.

A torque wrench calibration cost from a certified service provider is between EUR 30 to EUR 200/wrench, depending on the wrench type and torque range. Thus, if you operate a small fleet of wrenches, all are of smaller sizes and are not used too intensively, it’s better to outsource your calibration needs to third-party providers.

In contrast, if you operate many wrenches, including larger ones, and they’re used extensively,  investing in your own in-house torque wrench calibrator tool and training your workers to use them is a better financial choice in the long run.

Certified Expertise and Top-Notch Calibrator Tools

A good professional calibration service provider has years of expertise in torque wrench calibration, regardless of the type and size. To boot, they operate high-end calibrator tools in their certified laboratories doing their job, so you don’t need to spend thousands of Euros on them yourself

Many service providers can issue certificates to prove that your digital torque wrenches conform to the ISO standards or any other national and international standards.

Because of this advantage, you don’t have to spend thousands on a torque wrench calibrator tool and substantial time and resources to train your employees to follow the stringent calibration procedures set by ISO and other certification bodies.

Repairs and Spare Parts Availability

Should your calibration results be negative, you need to repair your digital torque wrench ASAP. The sooner it’s repaired, the faster it can be used for your production activities again. Fortunately, many calibration service providers also offer in-house reparation services.

Even better, if you use calibration services from your digital torque wrench manufacturer. Should your wrench need repairs, you can get the necessary spare parts quicker directly from the manufacturers themselves.

Maintaining Your Digital Torque Wrench

Besides calibration, there’s another important aspect of keeping a digital torque wrench in good condition: proper maintenance. This process can be time-consuming and rigorous compared to their analog peers, but necessary to safeguard your digital torque wrench’s performance. Check out our Digital vs Analog Torque Wrench Comparison here to know which one is more suitable for you. Here are some best practices for maintaining your digital torque wrench:

Cleaning and Protecting Your Tool From Contaminants

Just like any hardware device, a digital torque wrench should be regularly cleaned. Dirt and moisture could cause corrosion in the wrench’s body. Over time, it can weaken the wrench’s structural integrity, lowering its product lifespan.

Before cleaning, always ensure that your digital torque wrench has been turned off. Wipe it with a dry cloth to remove any dust, liquid, and grease. Do not use liquid-based cleaners, as they might penetrate into the wrench’s internal circuitry.

Proper Storage Techniques to Prevent Damage

If no longer used for the day, always your digital torque wrench to its lower setting and turn it off. Afterward, always store your digital torque wrench in its original hard case. Also, ensure that the case is always clean and dry.

If a hard case is not provided by the manufacturer upon purchase, it’s better to buy one. A good and sturdy case, wouldn’t cost much and will go a long way in preserving your digital torque wrench’s service life. Store it in an environment with little humidity, away from sunlight, and overly low or high temperatures.

Protect it From External Impacts

A digital torque wrench contains a myriad of electrical components that are sensitive to external impacts. Always use it carefully, don’t drop it, and prevent impact against other objects at all costs. If it has experienced an external impact, such as being dropped, then a calibration is recommended to check its accuracy.

Resorting to External Support

If you notice any external damage or a change in your digital torque wrench’s performance, immediately stop using it. Contact its manufacturer/distributor to get it checked. Do not operate a damaged or compromised digital torque wrench, as it can worsen the existing issue, and impact the quality and safety of your products.

Proper Maintenance and Your Digital Torque Wrench’s Lifespan

Thorough and routine maintenance will surely prolong your digital torque wrench’s lifespan. Wear and tear are indeed inevitable as time passes by. However, consistent maintenance will minimize its effect on your digital torque wrench.

Should there be a broken component, immediately send it for repair by an authorized professional. Don’t wait for damages to accumulate in your digital torque wrench before considering a repair.

After all, replacing a single section is definitely cheaper than buying a new digital torque wrench. With a good upkeep, many wrenches can last for 10 years and beyond.

Preventing Digital Torque Wrench Misuse

Compared to their analog counterparts, digital torque wrenches are far less prone to over-tighten nuts and bolts. With a digital torque wrench, users can simply input their desired torque amount, and its digital functions will ensure that the inputted torque amount will be delivered.

While in analog wrenches, users can only rely on their “feeling” in sensing the physical input from the tightened nuts and bolts. While they are indeed less prone, digital torque wrenches can still commit errors, including over- or under-tightening of nuts and bolts. Thus, it’s pivotal that you take some precautionary steps, such as:

Providing Adequate Training for Your Workers

Your workers are the main users of your digital torque wrenches, and it’s important that they have been sufficiently trained in using them. Compared to other industrial tools, a digital torque wrench’s use is in fact quite simple and straightforward.

You can start the training by using the materials from the instructions manual that you typically receive when buying your wrenches. Moreover, train your workers to comply with the relevant international and national standards in torquing works.

The ISO 6789:2017 is a good starting point, as it covers much on torque wrench use and calibration standards. Learn more on how you can integrate your digital torque wrenches with a digital instructions platform here.

Last but not least, it’s advisable to evaluate your employees’ expertise in using their wrench from time to time. Azumuta’s Skill Matrix & Training module can help you keep track of your employees’ digital torque wrench skills regularly.

Screenshot of a software interface displaying a competency matrix for

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Using Digital Torque Wrenches

Besides training your workers based on official instruction manuals and international & national standards, it’s also handy to educate them to avoid common mistakes, such as:

  • Treating a digital torque wrench the same way as an analog wrench or any other non-digital power tools
  • Choosing a wrench that is too big/small for a particular nut or bolt
  • Using it to deliver torque beyond its intended maximum capacity
  • Errors in reading torque measurements units. Products from the US typically use lb-ft, while most other countries use Nm.
  • Not setting a digital torque wrench to its lowest setting after finishing using it

Battery Management and Replacement

Most digital torque wrenches are battery-powered. This is a major advantage compared to non-battery powered ones (such as electric cable-attached ones and hydraulic torque wrenches), as its users can freely move them, without any mobility constraint.

Battery-powered digital torque wrenches use either a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery (similar to the ones in our phones and laptops) or a regular AA/AAA-sized battery, commonly found in supermarkets.

When and How to Replace the Battery

Most digital torque wrenches have a battery indicator on their screen, which will clearly inform you of their battery level. For a Li-ion battery-powered torque wrench, simply charge it with the charger provided by the manufacturer. It usually takes 30-120 minutes to fully charge its battery, depending on the wrench and charger type.

For regular AA/AAA batteries, simply replace them with new ones if your digital torque wrench shows any signs of depleted battery. Throw away the used batteries in a battery-designated bin, or in any place designated by trash sorting regulations of your country.

Maintaining Your Digital Torque Wrench’s Battery for Consistent Performance

Just like the battery of other electronics, there are several techniques that can be used to keep your digital torque wrench’s battery in optimum condition. For rechargeable battery wrenches, it’s best not to charge it overnight or unsupervised for hours. Not only it will waste electricity, but there is always a possibility of battery overheating in some cases.

To add, don’t charge it with a charger from other electronic devices (even from another digital torque wrench), as they can have different voltage and electrical current inputs. It might not be suitable for your Li-ion battery and potentially damage it in the long run.

For digital torque wrenches with removable batteries, it’s better to remove them if you’re not planning to use your digital torque wrench for some time. This is a good way to avoid a potential meltdown.

Benefits of Calibrated and Well-Maintained Tools

Exploring the Positive Impact on Precision and Efficiency

As has been previously conveyed, precision is vital in many industries. It might seem trivial, but loose bolts and nuts can cause fatal accidents, or force your company to recall thousands of products from the market. And of course, there’s no better way of upholding precision than keeping your digital torque wrenches routinely calibrated and your employees up to date with the latest know-how.

Besides that, a simple yet consistent maintenance routine such as diligent cleaning, proper storage, and careful handling can go a long way in maintaining your wrench’s performance and lifespan. As a tool that can easily cost hundreds of Euros per unit, it’s in your best interests to keep it functional for years to come.

Assurance of Reliable Torque Measurements

Routinely calibrating your digital torque wrench means that you’re fulfilling international industry standards such as ISO 6789:2017, or any other quality control regime in your region. Some of these standards seem overly rigid and time-consuming. In fact, many are not even mandatory.

Despite their complexity, conforming to such standards is beneficial for your business. By complying, your production activity abides by an industry-recognized benchmark. This sets you apart from your competitors that don’t. On the market, the quality and safety of standard-conforming products will be evident.

Key Takeaways

To maintain their accuracy and prolong their service life, your digital torque wrenches must undergo routine calibrations and be properly maintained. The safety and quality of your products rely on the performance of your wrenches. In turn, its performance heavily relies on regular inspections and correct handling from your side.

Digital torque wrench calibration and maintenance along the lines of international ISO standards is a meticulous process that requires numerous continuous steps. With Azumuta’s Audits and Digital Checklists module, you can list all of the necessary calibration and maintenance steps in a particular sequence. In addition, you can also keep track of the timings and results of your previous calibrations, allowing you to plan your future ones.

A screenshot of a planning and audit management software interface from Azumuta. The screen shows a Gantt chart with tasks—some color-coded with green, red, and yellow indicators. Tasks include

Thanks to it, no digital torque wrench calibration and maintenance procedure will be skipped due to human errors, ensuring that your digital torque wrenches are always in prime condition.

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