Patent ID: 7159440

Claim:
A system comprising: a tool evaluator, the tool evaluator being configured to evaluate a hand-operable tool, the tool having a first handle movable relative to a second handle, the tool evaluator having an actuator and a first sensor, the first sensor being operable to sense a force resulting from modulation of the actuator and transmit a first signal associated with the sensed force, the tool evaluator comprising: a first rest attached to the actuator, the first rest being configured to bear against the first handle during tool evaluation; a second rest in cooperative alignment with the first rest, the second rest being configured to bear against the second handle; and a controller configured to control the tool evaluator; and a calibrator for calibrating the tool evaluator comprising: a second sensor configured to sense the force and transmit a second signal associated with the sensed force, the second sensor having a first end and a second end, wherein during calibration of the tool evaluator, the first end is configured to bear against the first rest, the second end is configured to bear against the second rest, and the second sensor is operably connected to the controller, the controller being configured to modulate the actuator and receive the first signal and the second signal, wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the first sensor in response to the first signal and the second signal.