What Is Running Torque?
Running torque defines the amount of torque a component needs in order to keep spinning at a constant angular velocity after it starts spinning. Measuring running torque is important for identifying quality issues with an assembly or defective components.
Torque is the force that produces rotation and it is important for parts of mechanical devices, such as engines of vehicles, and fasteners, such as screws or bolts, according to Quality Magazine. Measuring torque is one of the diagnostic methods used for accessing the functioning of assemblies comprising rotating parts. Running torque is the measurement that determines the amount of torque a rotating part requires to remain rotating at a constant angular velocity once it begins spinning.
Testers can plot the amount of torque versus an angle on a graph to create a waveform curve. They can then check this running torque data against a graph for a properly functioning assembly and analyze the peaks and troughs on the graph to spot any discrepancies or variations that indicate the primary cause of a part failure.
In addition to running torque, there is also breakaway torque. Breakaway torque is the amount of torque a rotating part needs to start its rotation from a standing stop.
