What is torque?

Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Just as force is what causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics, torque is what causes an object to acquire angular acceleration.

How is torque measured?

The SI unit for torque is the Newton-meter.In imperial units, the Foot-pound is often used. This is confusing because colloquially the pound is sometimes used as a unit of mass and sometimes force. What is meant here is pound-force, the force due to earth gravity on a one-pound object. The magnitude of these units is often similar as 1 Nm≃1.74 ft⋅lbs.Measuring a static torque in a non-rotating system is usually quite easy, and done by measuring a force. Given the length of the moment arm, the torque can be found directly. Measuring torque in a rotating system is considerably more difficult. One method works by measuring strain within the metal of a drive shaft which is transmitting torque and sending this information wirelessly.

Types of Torque

Torque can be either static or dynamic. A static torque is one which does not produce an angular acceleration. Someone pushing on a closed door is applying a static torque to the door because the door is not rotating about its hinges, despite the force applied. Someone pedaling a bicycle at constant speed is also applying a static torque because they are not accelerating.The drive shaft in a racing car accelerating from the start line is carrying a dynamic torque because it must be producing an angular acceleration of the wheels given that the car is accelerating along the track.

Torque Measurement

Torque measurement provides an insight into the actual rotary forces at work. The data will give you

• Absolute Levels of Torque for Machinery Protection and Process Control

• Transient Torque – Peak Torque, Torque Events that may damage your machinery

• Torsional Vibration – for Testing and Condition Monitoring of drivelines

Datum’s range of torque measurement instrumentation will provide accurate dynamic and static torque data to a high resolution. The instrumentation can be supplied as standard transducers or in engineered solutions.

Torque Calculator

To calculate the Torque (Nm), enter your Power (WATTS) and RPM below.