Norbar's Non-Magnetic Range Extended

Norbar Torque Tools has launched a new 50 N.m Non-magnetic Torque Wrench to complement its 20 N.m version introduced late last year. Norbar TruTorque Non-magnetic Torque Wrenches have important applications in the medical field, specifically for MRI manufacture and maintenance, where there is the presence of a strong magnetic field. Using non-magnetic tools on MRI Scanners can avoid serious risk of injury to the operator and damage to sensitive and expensive equipment.

Torque wrenches are used by factory staff, installers and field based personnel working on the cable connections and sub assemblies around the magnet when it is energised. They are also used around the top of the magnet on the refrigeration sub assemblies, valves and seals. In both cases the magnet is at full field.

Norbar's Philip Brodey explains: "These magnets can be 'switched off' by removing the permanent current flowing in the coils but this is costly, time consuming and dangerous. Sometimes this action can trigger a spontaneous quench, instantaneously boiling off 75% of the liquid helium present, which can cost anything up to £10,000 to recover from. Working with non-magnetic tools is essential for anyone working on 'live' systems, especially at the critical and risky 'ramping up' and 'ramping down' process when you bring a magnet to field."

The new Norbar TruTorque(TM) 50 N.m Non-magnetic wrench is acceptable for the majority of MRI scanners in use today and has further applications across a range of industries where tools also have to be used in the presence of a strong magnetic field, such as:

• Clean Rooms
• Radar Transmission Centres
• Precision Magnetic Equipment
• Permanent Magnetic Generators
• Nuclear products
• Mine Sweepers

Norbar TruTorque Non-magnetic Torque Wrenches are manufactured using carefully selected and tested non-ferrous materials. Accuracy of reading is +/- 3%, exceeding international standards.

SOURCE: Norbar Torque Tools