Handtorque, a hand-operated portable torque multiplier from Norbar, lets wind techs multiply their input torque by 25.
Bolting is an important part of turbine construction and maintenance so it’s best to do it by the book. Wind technicians can get a little more hands on bolting experience in the sessions presented by Chuck Powell with Norbar Torque Tools, Inc. “We’ll start with an introduction to the Handtorque, a hand-operated portable torque multiplier. It’s a small gear multiplier that produces a 25 fold increase to the technician-applied input torque. We’ll show how to set it up, let attendees try it on a bolted joint, and explain how to get the right amount of output from it based on the input. Safety will be a good part of the training,” he says.
Powell cautions that not all torque multipliers work to their nameplate ratios. “They don’t always work to exactly the 5:1 or 15:1 or 25:1 etched on their side. There is some small error and certification tells of it. The calculations for a correct output are pretty straightforward, but we’ll go over that, too.” Of course, he says, the device is certified.
Another portion of the Norbar classroom will include proper use of hydraulic-calibration equipment hydraulic and manual tools. The test equipment can certify the hydraulic wrenches. The calibration stand is a torque transducer mounted in a fixture with a read out display connected to it. “We measure the output of the hydraulic wrench based on the psi the pump is putting out. Again, wind guys can rest assured that after using this device, their hydraulic tools will be verified. Before they take a torque or pump or hydraulic wrench out, they want to know that it is performing as expected and what torque is it delivering. Those wrenches are usually tested on a daily basis so users know that when they tighten bolts, they are doing so with the right torque because of the performance of our tooling and equipment. It is certified and traceable with documentation that says it is calibrated.
And for a third hand’s on presentation, Powell would only say the company will introduce new equipment for viewing and distribution in 2013, and the technicians at the event will get a first look.
WindTech 2012 will be held in Sweetwater, Texas, November 29 and 30. Register here:
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