Accurate performance in heat, humidity, and other demanding environments
Valley Forge is introducing the newest meter for its SPC4™ Load Verifying System. The SPC4™ 406A Electronic Meter (VF# SPC4-ASM-406A) is specially designed for accurate performance in heat, humidity and other demanding environments.
This new meter was recently put to the test in Houston, the heart of the oil and gas industry. In oil and gas refining, protecting the integrity of critical joints is vital to maintaining productivity and efficiency. It helps to ensure the safety of employees and the surrounding community. Ongoing technological developments consistently improve the ability to keep the fasteners used in these critical joints at their appropriate tension.
A prototype of the 406A was even called upon to act as the final word in bolt tensioning accuracy at a recent test of torqueing devices conducted in Houston. Flange testing rigs were set up to replicate a refinery environment and a variety of torqueing devices were employed to read information from SPC4™ studs within the flanges. After each torqueing device had its turn, the 406A meter was used to display the tension directly from the stud.
The SPC4™ system was trusted for this testing because it provides the most accurate information possible about the actual tension within critical joints. In practical applications, this information is used to make both installation and maintenance faster and more accurate, create more effective maintenance schedules, and give crucial, early insight into fastener and machine behaviors that might lead to premature failure, allowing them to be corrected before problems arise. The net gain is increased productivity, performance, and safety combined with savings of time and money.
The 406A boasts a rugged design with a shock-resistant casing that is IP54-rated for protection against dust and particles. Its internals are specifically engineered to deliver high performance that is unaffected by extreme heat and humidity.
In addition to these crucial performance factors, the 406A has other features designed with the mine in mind. The ergonomic handheld design was built for ease-of-use in the field. The one-touch operation with a large, visible button is easy to engage without removing PPE gloves, and its large digital display allows for easy reading.
Bluetooth compatibility provides scalability for remote data monitoring and data logging capability. This opens up even more maintenance planning options, as it creates an ongoing record of fastener load changes across a mine’s critical joints. The gathered information provides insight into changes in clamp load, and these data points allow for smarter and more predictable equipment maintenance over time.
