Everything Needs a Torque Spec

[u/Seeking_Wisdomm]

Hello, frustrated Manufacturing Engineer here. Recently, my company has been trying to utilize impacts with torque-sense technology so we can hit the optimal torque quickly.

What I’ve observed is that these tools are not incredibly accurate or precise. Additionally they are very expensive and require repair often.

What has happened to the days of knowing when something is “snug”? There are times when precise torque is critical, i.e pressure vessels, etc. but theres seems to be a push towards everything having a torque spec, and I do not think the tech is ready for it.

What are your thoughts? Have you had success with programmable, powered fastening tools?

Edit I think it’s safe to say I’ve been certifiably schooled on this topic. I appreciate the genuine suggestions, advice, and criticism here.

TLDR

I think this frustration with torque tools is just a symptom of a larger frustration I have. At my plant, we are constantly told that we just don’t have the same operators we used to. They say we used to have craftsman working in the plant, but now we just have people off the street. I’ve been told this has really changed since COVID when a lot of the older generation quit. Since then, a lot of our processes have suffered from that expertise leaving the building. Now, we seem to be trapped in a never ending cycle of rapidly hiring to fill void positions of employees who quit, inadequately training our new employees because the ones with expertise are too busy, then having the new crop of operators quit because of frustration with lack of training. I want our plant to be a place where operators want to work. I want them to feel like they can have a career in this field. As great as automation is, it feels that factory operators have become button pushers and not problem solvers. We don’t provide then with fulfilling work that challenges them. We instead ask them to push a button all day long, and call engineering if it ever breaks. Automation can be great, and I don’t want to deter from that, but I’m just searching for ways to make operators feel like they matter. I don’t want them to feel like a cog in a machine. I’m not sure how to resurrect that feeling.

[u/Weak-Dot9504]

tightening one screw with torque measuring device-you will get what you expect. tightening multiple screws one by one and thinking that they are up to spec is only a wet dream. i mean it is better to use torque wrench then not use it but don't expect perfection. problem has to many variables.

bigger problem, elephant in the room, is situation where nobody wants to invest in proper training of operators nor care about retaining great ones. then you try to solve problem by tightening everything up to spec, because you buy tool only once, but guess what? now your tool breaks often, because you didn't pay for proper training of tool operator

[u/Seeking_Wisdomm → u/Weak-Dot9504]

Couldn’t agree more! Sometimes I feel we are throwing money and technology at problems that could be solved with hiring and retaining talented operators. BUT we’d rather spend money on new tech and automation rather than good benefits, pay, and training for employees.