A Recap of Common Force and Torque Measurement Applications

Force and torque measurement systems are used to assess and ensure product quality in almost every industry.  At Mark-10 we engineer and manufacture a variety of force and torque measurement products that are used for a range of applications in these industries. We’re focused on engineering and innovation, and keep a pulse on the market, designing products that fit the needs of these industries.

Below are some examples of the applications our products are used for:

Series TT01 Cap Torque Tester

• Aerospace: Applications from bearing torque testing to bend strength of materials to seatbelt release force are important in quantifying the performance of these components and materials. When the ultimate goal is a safe aircraft, the important of such testing cannot be understated. Our force and torque measurement systems produce the measurements aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers use to be confident in the performance of their products.
• Automotive:  In the automotive industry, vehicle components must work together in harmony, with the ultimate goal of driver and passenger safety. Our Spring Testers can measure force, torque, and deflection to address the numerous types of springs employed in automobiles. Other important applications include ignition switch torque measurement, rotary dial torque, and many others.
• Food and Beverage: Freshness is very important in the food and beverage industry.  Containers must be sealed well enough to keep the food or liquid product inside fresh, but easy enough to open by the user.  Torque testers such as our Series TT01 Cap Torque Testers determine the removal torque necessary for threaded bottle caps, helping packaging lines ensure a balance between ease of opening and preservation of contents.   
• Medical Device and Pharmaceutical:  In an industry where force and torque data can have an impact on the wellbeing of a patient, it’s important to take testing very seriously. From measuring tablet crush force to syringe plunger force, the measurements from force and torque testing can be instrumental in determining whether the medical device is suitable for use.  An example is our ISO 7886-1 Syringe Compression Fixture, which helps ensure that the plunger produces an appropriate amount of resistance during use. 

At Mark-10 we’ve been serving the above industries and many others with our range of products since 1979.  We are continually developing new solutions to meet our customers’ exacting standards. Contact us to learn more about the products we offer to meet your specific force and torque measurement needs.  

Mark-10 Launches Redesigned Website

You may have noticed that we’ve been busy recently. In addition to new products, our new catalog, and our new profile video, we’ve also unveiled a new website. Building upon the success of our previous site, the new site continues to offer a clean, easy to navigate experience, with lots of technical information and pricing. Refreshed graphics and enhanced readability enhance the overall experience. Visitors can find an array of information on our homepage, including company news, upcoming tradeshows and exhibits, and navigation to our other pages on the left-hand side. Customers can easily learn more about our force and torque measurement solutions, common industries and applications, distributor lists, and frequently asked questions. Additionally, we also offer live, online help to all of our visitors for any questions that may come up while on our site.

We encourage all new and returning customers to visit our new site and take a look at the re-design. To stay up-to-date on all the latest Mark-10 news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Mark-10 Publishes New Catalog

At Mark-10 we’ve been busy unveiling new products, such as our ESM303 motorized test stand and WT3-201M motorized wire crimp pull tester. These new additions prompted us to update our catalog as well, with lots of information about our full line of digital force and torque gauges, test stands, wire crimp pull testers, ergonomics testing kits, software, grips and attachments, and accessories. Readers will see full specifications of our products, including specifications and dimensional drawings.

We’ve also included more information about the Mark-10 story, including our history, and unique engineering, manufacturing, and support capabilities. Examples of industries and applications are described, such as peel, tensile, compression, and many others in the automotive, medical device, packaging, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and sporting goods areas.

Mark-10 has been designing and manufacturing force and torque measurement solutions since 1979. As we continue to enhance and expand our product line, we’ll continue to update our customers on our Twitter,Facebook and LinkedIn pages. We encourage readers to follow us as we have several more announcements planned for this year.

To learn more about Mark-10 and to request a catalog, visit our website.

Mark-10 Launches New Motorized Test Stand

At Mark-10 we are always working to offer our customers the best force and torque measurement equipment, which is why we’re announcing our newest motorized test stand, the ESM303. This new stand replaces our ESM301 Motorized Test Stand and offers several improvements and enhancements over the ESM301.

The ESM303 Motorized Test Stand features a column that completely encloses the motor, which significantly reduces noise, offers improved aesthetics, and has a more rigid column to reduce deflection under load. We have also internalized and streamlined the cable connections for a clean, ergonomic look. The gauge interface cable attaches directly to the crosshead, and powers the gauge so no AC adapter is needed. We have also included a USB output so a USB converter is no longer needed.

The current position is now memorized between power cycles. The ASCII command set for PC control now includes all Mark-10 force gauge commands. The control panel has dedicated FollowMe™ and Zero Travel buttons and the FollowMe™ function moves the crosshead at a variable rate of speed, proportional to the amount of force applied by hand to the force gauge’s load cell. The available Profiles option allows the user to save, name, and recall up to 50 test setups (i.e. speeds, distance limits, cycles, etc.). Additionally, the controller mounts to the side of the column and can be easily removed for remote operation.

The overall height of the ESM303 is similar to the ESM301 but the new stand features a modular mechanical design that allows for single- and double-column extensions to accommodate a variety of applications.

To learn more about the new ESM303 Motorized Test Stand, visit our website. We post more company news on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Factory Automation Drives Demand for Inline Metrology

As the cost of industrial robots decreases, more and more manufacturers are investing in automation, especially automotive suppliers and assemblers. With advances in production automation, the market for inline metrology solutions has expanded rapidly. According to an analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the dimensional metrology market in particular is predicted to reach over $1.2 billion by 2018. The report also mentions that as more companies move towards automated production lines, an end-to-end automated inline metrology solution will be key for manufacturers.

At Mark-10 we have extensive experience supplying force and torque measurement devices to the auto industry. From bench top turnkey test systems to gauges, sensors, and accessories, we help suppliers and assemblers achieve quality control objectives. Our instruments can interface with PCs and PLCs via USB, RS-232, analog, set points, and other outputs. For example, set point outputs can trigger an alarm if a pull test is below the specified value. A custom application can be written to interrogate our instruments, collect data, and change settings. Typical force and torque measurement applications include spring testing, windshield washer blade retraction force, bearing torque, door handle pull testing, and more.

To learn more about how we’ve worked with the auto, aerospace, medical device, and many other industries,visit our website or contact us. We are also active on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn where we post more auto industry news and company updates.

The Importance of Calibration

Keeping your force or torque measuring instruments properly calibrated is critical to ensuring the quality of your manufactured material, component, or assembly. Although such instruments in many cases do not drift out of their accuracy specifications for lengthy periods of time, calibration is recommended at least once per year to ensure accuracy. In cases of heavy use, more frequent calibrations or verifications can be appropriate.

At Mark-10, we have a fully equipped climate-controlled calibration laboratory. With our US and European service centers, we provide quick turnaround. When gauges and sensors are sent back to our main US facility, we provide a NIST-traceable certificate of calibration. We can also provide a certificate of calibration with data which lists 10 data points in each direction (tension/compression or clockwise/counter-clockwise). As found/as left data can also be supplied upon request.

For customers requiring certificates of calibration to the ISO 17025 standard, we can provide such calibrations via a partner laboratory, as well as through many of our distributors. If sending an instrument to us, please request an RMA number before doing so, and include a printed copy of our RMA form in the box.

To learn more about calibration services, visit our website. We can also be found on Twitter and LinkedIn where we post industry and company news.