Norbar Torque Tools Ltd is best known for its extensive range of torque tools and calibration instruments which are used for production, maintenance and in calibration laboratories across a wide range of industries. They are less well known for their range of associated items of equipment such as transducers, gearboxes and display units for use in harsh environments and even sub-sea. The common link is tightening fasteners or rotating any item of equipment where accuracy of torque applied is important.

For many years Norbar gearboxes and transducers have been going ‘sub-sea’. Normally the gearbox will be driven by a hydraulic motor mounted on a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). The common application of these tools is the actuation of valves on sub-sea pipelines. The gearbox and transducer will be mounted in an oil bath and Norbar have developed specific modifications to the products to allow for this and to counter the possibility of salt water contamination.

The torque tools mounted on ROVs are usually calibrated on the deck of the support ship before use. The transducer will be permanently mounted on deck and exposed to the elements. The display instrument will be brought out for the duration of the calibration and will then be fully exposed to the weather and salt water spray. Products designed for indoor industrial use have a very limited life span under such conditions.

Norbar’s new development is a range of torque transducers and a display instrument designed specifically for such harsh environments. They use a combination of corrosion resistant materials, IP67 certified switch and connectors and sealing to provide a measurement system that will survive in the worst offshore conditions.

Although the perfect solution for oil operations in the North Sea, these Norbar units are also ideal for many other marine and offshore applications as well as wind farms or any other situation where the equipment is exposed to the elements. They are already proving to be a welcome and popular extension to the Norbar range.

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