A device for monitoring clamping of an assembly including at least one part to be clamped, an internally threaded element and an externally threaded element engaged in an internal thread of the internally threaded element. The device includes a driver to rotate one of the elements including the internally threaded element and the externally threaded element to clamp the assembly and a first sensor to measure a screwing torque of the driver, a tool for holding fixed against rotation the other of the elements including the internally threaded element and the externally threaded element, a second sensor to measure a reaction torque of the holding tool, a mechanism for determining a third parameter chosen from a time elapsed from a given time and a screwing angle from a reference position, and a calculation system to determine pre-tension in the externally threaded element.

A device for monitoring clamping of an assembly including at least one part to be clamped, an internally threaded element and an externally threaded element engaged in an internal thread of the internally threaded element. The device includes a driver to rotate one of the elements including the internally threaded element and the externally threaded element to clamp the assembly and a first sensor to measure a screwing torque of the driver, a tool for holding fixed against rotation the other of the elements including the internally threaded element and the externally threaded element, a second sensor to measure a reaction torque of the holding tool, a mechanism for determining a third parameter chosen from a time elapsed from a given time and a screwing angle from a reference position, and a calculation system to determine pre-tension in the externally threaded element.

A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.

A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.

A bolt tightening torque management structure for a bolt for fastening a component includes: the bolt including a plurality of projections of different heights on a bearing surface of a head; a non-conductive film that is formed on the surface of the component, has a shaft hole through which a shaft of the bolt extends, and has a predetermined size; and a conductive film that has the shaft hole and a plurality of grooves, through which the projections extend, is formed on the non-conductive film, and has the same planar shape as the non-conductive film. The projections other than the projection having the smallest height are configured to be in contact with the surface of the component when the tightening torque of the bolt is appropriate. The base of each projection has a width dimensioned to close the corresponding groove.

A bolt tightening torque management structure for a bolt for fastening a component includes: the bolt including a plurality of projections of different heights on a bearing surface of a head; a non-conductive film that is formed on the surface of the component, has a shaft hole through which a shaft of the bolt extends, and has a predetermined size; and a conductive film that has the shaft hole and a plurality of grooves, through which the projections extend, is formed on the non-conductive film, and has the same planar shape as the non-conductive film. The projections other than the projection having the smallest height are configured to be in contact with the surface of the component when the tightening torque of the bolt is appropriate. The base of each projection has a width dimensioned to close the corresponding groove.

A method for measuring an axial-force of a bolt fastened to a component to be fastened, includes temporarily fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a temporarily-tightening torque, the temporarily-tightening torque being a torque which is determined in advance and by which a depression is formed on a head of the bolt, measuring a first axial force of the temporarily-fastened bolt, regularly fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a regularly-tightening torque, the regularly-tightening torque being torque which is determined in advance and larger than the temporarily-tightening torque, measuring a second axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt, and measuring an estimated axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt by using the torque with which the bolt is temporarily fastened, the torque with which the bolt is regularly fastened, and a difference between the first and second axial forces.

A method for measuring an axial-force of a bolt fastened to a component to be fastened, includes temporarily fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a temporarily-tightening torque, the temporarily-tightening torque being a torque which is determined in advance and by which a depression is formed on a head of the bolt, measuring a first axial force of the temporarily-fastened bolt, regularly fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a regularly-tightening torque, the regularly-tightening torque being torque which is determined in advance and larger than the temporarily-tightening torque, measuring a second axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt, and measuring an estimated axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt by using the torque with which the bolt is temporarily fastened, the torque with which the bolt is regularly fastened, and a difference between the first and second axial forces.

To provide a manual tool excellent in workability and operability and capable of precise tightening torque management, a manual tool includes a grip including a bit holding part that detachably holds a bit, and a torque sensor that is of a magnetostrictive type, and includes a detecting part that is penetrated by the bit held by the bit holding part and surrounds an outer periphery of the bit, the torque sensor is capable of contactlessly detecting a torque acting on the bit, and is detachably provided to the grip. The torque sensor can be configured to be formed so as to be mountable to the grip with the bit mounted to the bit holding part of the grip.

To provide a manual tool excellent in workability and operability and capable of precise tightening torque management, a manual tool includes a grip including a bit holding part that detachably holds a bit, and a torque sensor that is of a magnetostrictive type, and includes a detecting part that is penetrated by the bit held by the bit holding part and surrounds an outer periphery of the bit, the torque sensor is capable of contactlessly detecting a torque acting on the bit, and is detachably provided to the grip. The torque sensor can be configured to be formed so as to be mountable to the grip with the bit mounted to the bit holding part of the grip.