The Industrial Technique business area of Atlas Copco South Africa has augmented its comprehensive range of industrial power tools, assembly systems, quality assurance products, software, and service solutions by obtaining SANAS accreditation for its Torque Laboratory.

Nicolas Van Zyl, Calibration Laboratory Manager for Atlas Copco South Africa’s Industrial Technique division was responsible for the establishment of the Torque Laboratory at the company’s head office in Jet Park, Johannesburg, in 2016. “On 8th December 2016 we officially became a SANAS accredited Torque Laboratory to ISO 17025 standards, an achievement we are extremely proud of.”

SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) is the only national body responsible for carrying out accreditations in respect of conformity assessment which includes the accreditation of calibration laboratories. Fulfillment of the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 means that the laboratory meets both the technical competence and management system requirements necessary for it to consistently deliver technically valid test results and calibrations. The management system requirements in ISO/IEC 17025:2005 meet the principles of ISO 9001 Quality Management System (an Atlas Copco certification) and covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods, and laboratory-developed methods.

According to Van Zyl a number of factors urged Industrial Technique to establish an accredited Torque Laboratory. “We have noted changes in market trends such as a growing demand for more advanced tools and systems with an emphasis on service, know-how and training as well as an increasing call for shifts in manufacturing methods and higher requirements in quality assurance and traceability. We are also seeing a trend in the partial replacement of pneumatic tools with power tools with electric motors.”

“Furthermore, we strive to add value to our sales and service offering to customers in the automotive and general industry sectors including electronics, manufacturing, shipyards, foundries, and machine tool builders. The Torque Laboratory now enables us to support our product solutions from a calibration point of view.” 
   
Van Zyl points out that the industry norm for turnaround times on equipment calibration is between seven to ten days. “Minimising customer downtime is fundamental to their productivity and profitability so I, together with Laboratory Technician, Johan Kok, am committed to delivering a two-day turnaround time on our calibration services and in so doing give our customers a competitive advantage.”

The scope of the SANAS accreditation identifies the type as well as range of equipment (up to 3000Nm) that can be calibrated by the Torque Laboratory. The accreditation also allows the laboratory to calibrate torque equipment in-house as well as on site at customer premises across South Africa as well as the SADEC region. “In addition to Atlas Copco products which include torque wrenches, torque transducers, electronic spindles, etc. we are also able to calibrate both as well as external brands,” adds Van Zyl.

The Torque Laboratory is in perfect alignment with Industrial Technique’s strategy to develop and extend its product offering particularly in the motor vehicle industry and to provide additional services, know-how and training.  The SANAS accreditation benefits both Industrial Technique customers and end users of its certified products and services. “This accreditation without any doubt reinforces our position as a market leader in our field,” affirms Van Zyl.

A database of accredited testing and calibration laboratories are available on the SANAS website. “Customers can view the full “scope of accreditation” of our Torque Laboratory by simply entering our lab number 870 on the website,” concludes Van Zyl.