Torque measurement
Cap torque tester
& torque meter for closures
Electronic benchtop instruments for precise control of closing and opening torque. Made in France, COFRAC-traceable calibration.
- COFRAC-traceable
- Made in France
- Dedicated after-sales
0.1%
FS accuracy, up to
0.001 N.m
Resolution
1 to 25 N.m
Measuring range
5000 Hz
Sampling rate, up to
- Pharmaceutical
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Bottling
- Industry
- Automotive
Our range
Our electronic torque testers: NBA, Skilltork and Skilltork+
Cost-effective & robust
NBA
Simple and cost-effective, designed for production environments. The choice of many packaging manufacturers to measure closing and opening torque.
- ERanges 1 to 25 N.m
- ELCD interface
- E4-post clamping
- ERS232 connectivity (option)
Simple & fast
Skilltork
Simple, efficient electronic touchscreen torque tester. Features a colour touchscreen and quick-release 4-post clamping as standard.
- ERanges 1 to 25 N.m
- EColour touchscreen
- EQuick-release 4-post clamping
- EIntuitive interface
Traceability & connectivity
Skilltork+
The Skilltork with option +: advanced programs (double peak, between two thresholds, recipes) and advanced batch management. CFR 21 package available for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
- ERanges 1 to 25 N.m
- EColour touchscreen
- EUSB / Ethernet / Wi-Fi
- EStockage & export par lots
Comparison
Which torque tester should you choose?
| Specifications | NBA | Skilltork | Skilltork+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacities (N.m) | 1; 2; 5; 10; 25 N.m | 1; 2; 5; 10; 25 N.m | 1; 2; 5; 10; 25 N.m |
| Accuracy | 0.1% FS | ±0.3% FS | ±0.3% FS |
| Sampling rate | 5000 Hz | 1800 Hz | 1800 Hz |
| Units of measurement | N.m / N.cm / kgf.cm / lbf.in | N.m / N.cm / kgf.cm / lbf.in | N.m / N.cm / kgf.cm / lbf.in |
| Display resolution | 0.001 N.m (≤ 10 N.m) / 0.01 above | 0.001 N.m | 0.001 N.m |
| Interface | LCD display | 5-inch colour touchscreen | 5-inch colour touchscreen |
| Standard clamping | 4-post clamping | Quick-release 4-post clamping | Quick-release 4-post clamping |
| Data export | Optional with Data Xport | CSV, PDF | CSV, PDF |
| Connectivity | RS232 | USB / Ethernet / Wi-Fi | USB / Ethernet / Wi-Fi + embedded web server |
| Batch management | No | Single batch | Advanced batch management |
| Available programs | Closing / opening | Simple measurement | Simple / Double peak / Between two thresholds / Recipes |
| 21 CFR Part 11 | No | No | With the CFR 21 package (audit trail, user profiles, Active Directory) |
| Ideal for | In-line inspection, high throughput | Simple, documented checks | Advanced checks; pharma with the CFR 21 package |
Making the right choice
How to choose the capacity of your torque tester?
The right capacity depends on the torques you actually measure, not on the maximum torque you might ever need. For accurate measurement, your usual values should fall between 20% and 80% of the sensor’s full scale. A cap tightened to 2 N.m is therefore better measured on a 5 N.m sensor than on a 25 N.m sensor.
1. What torques do you measure?
List the range of your opening and closing specifications, product by product.
2. What containers?
Diameter, shape and material determine the clamping system: 4 posts, V-jaws, cup or grip cubes.
3. What traceability?
Simple reading, export to a spreadsheet or 21 CFR Part 11 compliance: this is what separates the NBA, Skilltork and Skilltork+.
Not sure? Send us a few samples: we measure your torques in our laboratory and recommend the right capacity and clamping. Above 25 N.m, we also offer solutions from Mecmesin, for which we are a distributor.
Going further
RepeaTork torque tester
Switch to the motorised version for optimal repeatability and accuracy. Adopted by manufacturers in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Mode 01
Simple
Standard closing and opening: ideal for series checks on the production line.
Mode 02
Advanced
Control by angle or by torque: for precise tightening specifications.
Mode 03
Quality
Opening torque check + re-tightening: a complete quality control protocol.
RepeaTork: motorised torque tester
Sizes
300 · 400 · 500
Supplied with
Skilltork, or fitted to your NBA
Operating modes
Simple · Advanced · Quality
Clamping
Clamping makes the measurement
A torque tester measures the force between the cap and the body of the container. If the body slips, turns or deforms, the reading is wrong. Good clamping guarantees three things:
It does not turn
All the torque applied to the cap is transmitted to the sensor.
It does not deform
Pressure is distributed: a flexible bottle is not crushed.
It centres
The cap is on axis: the test is repeatable.
Choosing your clamping
Clamping is chosen according to the shape and rigidity of the sample. It can be changed without tools on the NBA, Skilltork and RepeaTork.
| Your sample | Recommended clamping | Why | Quick-release option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid body, cylindrical or square | 4 posts | Four supports adjusted to the diameter: firm grip, immediate centring. | Yes |
| Flexible, deformable or slippery body | Grip cubes | Larger contact surface, distributed pressure, no marking. | Yes |
| Tall body or narrow neck | Risers | Raise the grip to keep the cap at measuring height. | Yes |
| Can, jerrican, handle | Jerrican holder | The body sits in the holder: full support, no tipping. | Yes |
| Specific shape, no standard solution | Dedicated plate and jaws | Designed for your reference: 3D-printed plate, jaws shaped to the sample. | No |
The range
Our clamping systems
Standard
4 posts
Four posts adjusted to the body diameter. Supplied as simple posts on the NBA, quick-release version on the Skilltork and RepeaTork.
For: rigid cylindrical or square bodies
Option
Grip cubes
Gripping cubes fitted in place of the posts. They wrap around the body instead of pinching it.
For: flexible, deformable or slippery bodies
Option
Risers
Fitted under the posts or grip cubes to raise the gripping point.
For: tall bodies, narrow-neck bottles
Option
Mini riser plate
Small cylindrical plate mounted on a screw, added onto the clamping. It raises the sample above the height of the posts.
For: small samples, low caps
Option
Jerrican holder
Attaches to one side of the plate: the container sits in it and does not tip over during the test.
For: cans, jerricans, bodies with handles
Custom
Dedicated plate and jaws
Designed by our engineering office from your sample: 3D-printed plate, jaws grooved to the sample’s shape. Grip validated before manufacture.
For: specific shapes, maximum repeatability
The quick-release option
Available on the 4 posts, grip cubes, risers and jerrican holder. The clamping locks with a lever, in one movement, with no adjustment between two samples of the same format.
Fewer movements
A lever instead of an adjustment for each test.
Higher throughput
Significant time savings on series.
Fewer MSDs
Less strain on the operator’s wrists.
Compatibility
| Clamping | NBA | Skilltork | RepeaTork |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple 4 posts | Standard | No | No |
| Quick-release 4 posts | Option | Standard | Standard |
| Quick-release option (grip cubes, risers, jerrican holder) | Option | Option | Option |
| Grip cubes, risers, mini plate, jerrican holder | Option | Option | Option |
| Dedicated plate and jaws | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Send us your samples
The largest and smallest in your range: we propose the right clamping and validate the grip before sending it to you. More than 20 years of expertise alongside packaging specialists.
Options & connectivity
Accessories for our torque testers
IP / Ethernet connection
Easily integrate your torque tester into a connected environment with network data transmission. Share results instantly with your teams and automate reporting.
Data Xport
Optimise the analysis of your results with dedicated software for automatic export of measurements. Ideal for detailed monitoring and efficient statistical processing.
Dot-matrix & thermal printer
Simplify archiving and tracking of measurements with instant printing. Choose between a robust dot-matrix printer or a fast thermal printer to get test reports directly after each measurement.
CFR 21
Compliance with regulatory standards for the pharmaceutical industry (21 CFR Part 11).
Carrying handle
Move your instrument easily with an ergonomic handle. Ideal for mobile use in the laboratory or in production.
Cap handling tools
Ensure better measurement repeatability with tools specially designed for handling and precisely tightening caps.
Standards and services
Standards, calibration and support
Reference standards
Cap torque measurement is governed by several standards, which our torque testers allow you to apply:
- ASTM D2063/D2063M : torque retention of continuous-thread closures, manual measurement (NBA, Skilltork, Skilltork+).
- ASTM D7860 : the same measurement with automated equipment (RepeaTork).
- ASTM D3474 : calibration and use of torque testers in packaging.
- FDA 21 CFR Part 11 : integrity and traceability of electronic records, with Active Directory authentication (Skilltork with CFR 21 package).
Calibration, after-sales and services
- COFRAC-traceable calibration in our laboratory, with calibration certificate.
- After-sales service provided by our technicians in France.
- Tests on your samples before purchase.
- Rental for a one-off need or an audit.
Applications & sectors
Industrial torque testers: applications and sectors
Measuring tightening or loosening torque is a requirement shared by many industrial sectors. Whether it is ensuring the seal of a pharmaceutical bottle, the safety of a food closure or the reliability of a mechanical assembly, our torque testers adapt to the specific constraints of each production environment.
Sector 01
Pharmaceutical industry
In the pharmaceutical sector, torque control is a critical step in the packaging process. An under-tightened cap compromises the seal of the bottle and can lead to product contamination; over-tightening risks deforming the bottle or damaging the seal.
Our torque testers accurately measure the opening and closing torque of caps on medical bottles, syrups, food supplements and medical devices. The Skilltork+ model, with the CFR 21 package, meets the full traceability requirements of the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulation, thanks to its USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity and batch-based results management. Each measurement is time-stamped, exportable and can be integrated into your quality systems.
Sector 02
Cosmetics industry
Cosmetics is one of the most demanding sectors in terms of tightening repeatability. Perfume bottles, cream tubes, pump bottles, roll-ons: each container has its own torque constraints, and the slightest drift in production can lead to leaks, customer returns or non-conformities.
Our benchtop torque testers measure closing and opening torque on all your containers, whatever their shape or size, thanks to 4-post and V-jaw clamping. For high-speed lines, the motorised torque tester RepeaTork guarantees optimal repeatability by eliminating operator variability. It integrates easily into your quality control processes at incoming inspection, during production or at end of line.
Sector 03
Food industry
In the food industry, tightening torque directly affects food safety: a poorly tightened cap on a jar, bottle or can can break the cold chain, cause oxidation or compromise the use-by date. Conversely, over-tightening can make opening difficult for the end consumer.
Our torque testers let you define and check acceptable torque ranges for each packaging reference, for both closing and opening. The acceptance threshold mode of the Skilltork+ instantly flags any out-of-tolerance measurement, allowing the operator to act immediately without stopping production.
Sector 04
Automotive & mechanical industry
In the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors, tightening torque is a fundamental safety parameter. An under-tightened assembly can work loose in operation; an over-tightened assembly can cause screw breakage or part deformation.
Our torque testers are used at several stages: quality control at the end of assembly, checking and calibration of torque wrenches, and preventive maintenance of equipment in service. They can also characterise breakaway and failure torques in R&D or product development. Robust and accurate, they cover ranges of 1 to 25 N.m with a resolution of one thousandth of a newton-metre.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about benchtop torque testers
What is a benchtop torque tester?
A benchtop torque tester measures torque, i.e. the rotational force needed to screw or unscrew a cap. The container is held by a clamping system mounted on the sensor, and the operator turns the cap: the instrument displays the peak torque reached, in N.m. It is the reference tool for checking the closure of bottles, jars and cans.
Torque tester, torque meter, cap torque tester: what is the difference?
None: these terms refer to the same instrument. The French term «torquemètre» comes from the English torque meter ; it is also known as a closure torque tester. A torque wrench, on the other hand, is a different tool used to tighten a screw to a given torque: to check one, you need a torque wrench tester.
What is the difference between opening and closing torque?
Closing (or application) torque is the torque applied during capping. Opening (or removal) torque is the torque needed to unscrew the cap. Opening torque changes over time (material relaxation, temperature): this is why ASTM D2063 measures torque retention after a defined storage time.
Why measure the torque of your caps?
Too little torque causes leaks, contamination or product loss during transport. Too much torque deforms the container, damages the liner or prevents the consumer from opening it. Measuring torque at goods-in, in production and at batch release guarantees the seal and ease of use of your packaging.
What is double-peak measurement?
On a cap with a tamper-evident band, opening produces two torque peaks: the first to start rotation, the second to break the bridges of the band. The Skilltork+ records both values in a single measurement, so opening and tamper evidence can be checked separately.
Which torque tester for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
The Skilltork with option + and the CFR 21 package. It manages user profiles and rights, connects to your Active Directory, keeps an audit trail of all actions and time-stamps every result. The NBA and Skilltork are suited to checks that do not fall under this regulation.
Which capacity should I choose?
Choose a capacity so that your usual torques fall between 20% and 80% of full scale. If in doubt, send us your samples: we measure your torques and recommend the right sensor.
How often should a torque tester be calibrated?
The interval depends on your quality system, but annual calibration is the most common practice. ACRN calibrates your torque testers with COFRAC traceability and a calibration certificate.
Manual or motorised torque tester?
A manual torque tester is enough for most checks. The motorised model (RepeaTork) becomes relevant when several operators or sites need comparable results, or when you want to precisely reproduce a tightening speed or angle.
Where are ACRN torque testers made?
Our torque testers are designed and manufactured in our workshops in Buchy, Normandy (France). Our team also handles calibration, after-sales service and the development of custom clamping.
A torque control project?
Tell us about your containers and specifications: we will recommend the right torque tester and clamping.