An air torque wrench applies a specific amount of torque to a fastener using compressed air. It is smaller, more powerful, and cheaper than electric or manual versions. It is commonly used in engineering applications where precise tensioning is required for multiple fasteners.
An air torque wrench is a pneumatic tool designed to apply a specific, pre-set amount of torque or tension to a fastener, typically a nut and bolt. This precise tensioning is important in many multiple fastener applications where very tight tolerances must be maintained. Unlike other forms of torque wrenches, many pneumatic torque wrenches offer a wide range of torque settings. They are also generally smaller, more powerful and cheaper to run than electric or manual versions.
The pneumatic torque wrench uses a source of compressed air to rapidly rotate a turbine-type rotor which in turn drives a shaft through a planetary gearbox. This shaft features an adjustable clutch designed to “slip” or release at a preset tension. The shaft end of the pneumatic torque wrench has a fitting which allows various tools to be attached to the torque wrench depending on the application. When the pneumatic torque wrench is applied to a nut and bolt assembly, for example, the tool will tighten or tighten the nut until it reaches the preset tension, after which the clutch will release and the wrench will no longer apply tension to the nut.
Many engineering applications require fasteners to be tensioned to a specific torque setting. This is especially true for applications where several fasteners are used to evenly secure two components together. The cylinder head of a car engine, for example, is usually secured with sets of six to eight studs and nuts. Since the cylinder head relies on a perfect fit between its underside and the engine block to ensure effective gasket sealing and proper alignment of the peripheral drive mechanisms, these studs must be tensioned to exactly the same level. This precise tensioning is achieved with a torque wrench.
For various reasons, the use of compressed air to operate an air torque wrench is common practice in those industries where such tools are used frequently. A pneumatic torque wrench is smaller and more manageable than an electrically operated model of similar capacity. For this reason, air tools tend to be much more powerful in reasonably sized packages than their electric counterparts such as the motorized torque wrench. Pneumatic torque wrenches are also convenient to use. This is because generating a source of compressed air is cheaper than using power tools. Electric or manual torque wrenches often only have a limited number of voltage settings.
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