An improperly torqued screw can mean the difference between passing certification and product failure.

A new technical article from Futek outlines the importance of gasket and seal integrity validation, as well as third-party repair certification, and standards compliance and traceability in this fastener validation process.

Requirements for tool verification are similar, whether the end product is a smartphone, a pacemaker, or a watch. here are some of the highlights from Futek’s article:

• Gasket and seal integrity: With IP rating compliance becoming the new standard for many consumer products, the need to ensure seal and gasket integrity of the finished product is crucial.
• Third-party validation: Certifications from a manufacturer will often require the repair facility to conform to and ensure that each screw and bolt have the same torque applied to them as the manufacturer’s design documents indicate.
• Standards compliance: Every critical component down to the torque applied to the fasteners and material the fasteners are made from must be traceable.

(Learn from some of the medical device industry’s top executives and experts at DeviceTalks Boston on Oct. 2.)