Quality equipment only stays quality equipment if it receives the level of care it deserves.1
I came across this quote when researching best practices for maintaining and caring for corporate equipment. What struck me about the quote is how it applies not only to big-ticket equipment in a corporate environment, but also to the things we use on a daily basis in our personal lives. I make sure my car’s oil is changed on a regular schedule, the belts are checked for wear, and filters are replaced in the hopes of extending the life of the vehicle. I protect my iPhone with a case to prevent it from damage if dropped. Regular preventive maintenance for corporate equipment is even more important, as the cost of unplanned downtime, delayed product delivery, and customer service issues can severely hurt even the most successful company. Equipment failure can also have a ripple effect if the failure of a tool or machine consequently damages other tools and equipment.
ATP designs and manufactures Digital Torque MultipliersTM which require regular calibration. In a previous blog entitled, Torque Wrench Calibration 101, the importance of regular calibration was discussed as a way to reduce the possibility of inaccurate measurements. The industry recommends that a torque wrench is calibrated every 6 - 12 months, at a minimum. Regular calibration can be viewed as part of a preventive maintenance program. But take a closer look…is the lab that calibrates your tools also checking the health of the tool when it’s at their facility?
When a wrench is sent to ATP for calibration, the wrench is thoroughly evaluated to determine its overall condition before it is put onto the calibration stand. Our goal is to make sure that any small issues are fixed before they become larger ones. The evaluation checklist includes the following:
- Check hub pins and condition of hub
- Check adapter plate
- Grease bottom carrier and check its shape
- Check anti-rotation cover
- Check pawl with speed knob in all directions (CW, CCW, Neutral)
- Check for bent or missing pins on DB9
- Ensure that controller connects properly to wrench and turns on
- Check handle screws
- Verify angle measurement
Normal wear and tear issues are handled quickly by our experienced staff and the wrench is calibrated and returned to the customer. If any additional parts and labor are required, the customer is contacted for their approval and the wrench is then repaired and calibrated. Although not required by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the evaluation is an extra, complimentary service provided by ATP.
ATP Digital Torque Wrenches are designed to be very durable with the most sensitive parts sealed within the hub, reducing the chance for damage during normal wear and tear. Although the design increases the wrench’s reliability, it is certainly a good idea to schedule a comprehensive tear-down of the wrench every 3 – 5 years so that it can be meticulously examined, cleaned, lubricated and brought up to current specifications. To learn more about ATP’s Preventive Maintenance programs, call us at 860-828-1523; email us at info@advancedtorque.com or Contact Us on our website.
1 Smith, Stuart. “The Advantages of Preventive Maintenance.” Web blog post. Mintek. September 26, 2012.
