The New Trace Simulation Feature on the STbench

By using the new trace simulation feature on Atlas Copco's joint simulator, the STbench, you won't risk product quality during assembly.

Atlas Copco’s joint simulator, the STbench, and its new trace simulation feature are here to make testing tools more efficient than ever! The?STbench?is a fast solution that validates tool performance with real-life simulations. The STbench has a new feature – trace simulations – that will make validating and calibrating tools easier by simulating prevailing joints! Read on to learn about the advantages of trace simulations in your assembly.

But first, a brief description of the STbench

Knowing the performance of a tool is vital to maintaining the highest possible product?quality?during assembly. The best way to validate tools is by testing them under normal operating conditions with Atlas Copco’s?quality assurance?device, the STbench. In this way, the tool can be tested and calibrated without interfering with the production process.

The simulator has a computer where users can select the ideal joint rate and hydraulic brakes to test the tool. The STbench is ready to start the new test with the hydraulic system almost as soon as the user selects the rate. By reducing the time it takes to start and run tool tests, the STbench will improve?productivity?and uptime.

Now, the new stuff: Trace simulation

Before trace simulations, it was only possible to view linear joints. Utilizing linear simulation can be an issue and result in a false capability value when testing equipment that works on non-linear joints. This is because the tools are tested and optimized on a linear joint, which may be different than what the tools encounter during production. This can make a tool appear to be well set up even if it isn’t.

With the new trace simulation feature on the?STbench, testing tools will be easier than ever since it is now possible to simulate prevailing torque joints or other non-linear joints. Trace simulation more similarly replicates what tools would encounter during production to help identify problems. This will help you to avoid the cost of rework and downtime caused by incorrectly tuned tools.

When using the trace simulator, operators will see two distinct non-linear traces on the computer screen upon testing a tool. One line will reflect the way a tool would run under normal conditions, while the second line will show the tool’s performance in real time under those same conditions. When those lines match up, operators will know that the tool has been validated by the system and is ready to be used during production.

To sum it up

The testing of tools is vital to maintaining the highest possible product quality during assembly. When it’s unclear whether a tool is properly?calibrated, failures later in production may arise, reducing productivity levels. Atlas Copco’s STbench and the new trace simulation feature can help by testing tool performance quickly and easily.

Want to know more about the STbench and the new trace simulation feature? Check out Atlas's?STbench Q&A?or?contact us today?to schedule a demo!