If you have spent any time around engines, you have probably heard the term torque before. But what exactly is torque, and why is it important to be able to measure torque properly? This quick guide will provide you with some more information on this topic. Let’s get started.
What Is Torque?
When discussing torque, you can get pretty deep into physics if you want to, but to put it simply, torque is the force that will cause an object to spin around an axis. Torque could also be referred to as the twisting force or rotational force.
Why Is Torque Often Associated With Cars?
Although torque is really a physics term used to discuss a certain type of force, it is most highly associated with vehicles. Torque is often associated with vehicles because the most obvious example of torque can be found in the driveshaft of your car. The car’s ability to drive and go at higher speeds is determined by the amount of torque that the engine can produce.
What Is Torque Output?
Measuring torque is an important step in the engineering and development process for many types of machines. Most notably, it is important in the development and engineering of vehicles. Measuring torque is also important when it comes to troubleshooting engines and machines. You must know what the intended torque is for the machine and be able to measure if the machine is working efficiently. Measuring the torque will show you this.
When you are dealing with machines that are putting out extreme amounts of force, it is vital to always have a reading on torque to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
Are There Different Types of Torque?
Yes, there are two main torque types: rotary and reaction.
Rotary torque is used to refer to objects such as shafts, turbines, and wheels that rotate often or endlessly.
Reaction torque is the type of force that is applied to an object. For instance, if you were to apply a lug wrench to a bolt and tighten it, the force you are applying is called reaction torque.
How Do You Measure Torque Output?
Torque is measured both directly and indirectly. If the motor efficiency and shaft speed are already known, then you can simply use a power meter to estimate torque. This is considered an indirect way of measuring.
The better and more accurate way, though, is to use a direct method. You can do this by using reaction torque sensors or rotary torque sensors.