Benefits of Cordless Tools Since 2005, significant leaps forward in motors and tool electronics, coupled with advancements in lithium-ion, have pushed the industry to a point few would have considered possible 10 years ago. Today’s Cordless Tools deliver massive amounts of power and performance in a more compact package, and can even outperform their corded predecessors. The run times are getting longer, and the charge times are getting shorter. Even so, there are still tradesmen who have resisted the shift from corded to cordless. For these users, there’s just far too much work to be done to let productivity be hindered by potential battery run-time, and overall power and performance concerns. While these may have been valid concerns even five years ago, the industry is now at a point where Cordless Car Washer is quickly taking over as the leading technology in numerous ways. Here are three trends to consider when it comes to the adoption of cordless solutions on the job site. Reduction in Work-Related Injuries Due to Cords The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has long reported that slips, trips and falls are a prevalent concern on job sites, accounting for more than one-third of all reported injuries. Trips occur when an obstruction catches a worker’s foot and causes him/her to stumble. One of the most common offenders of trips is cords from power tools. Cordless tools have the benefit of freeing job sites from the nuisances of having to sweep cords to the side or string extension cables across the floor, vastly improving the hazards associated with trips, but also freeing up more space for equipment. You Won’t Need to Charge as Much as You Think Run-time isn’t much of a concern anymore when it comes to Cordless Drill, rendering the age-old fight for the security of the cord a thing of the past. The move to more energy-dense battery packs means that professional users who use the tools extensively now rely on fewer battery packs to get through a work day. Pro users had six or eight batteries on-site for their Ni-Cd tools and traded them out as needed throughout the day. With the newer lithium-ion batteries now available, heavy-duty users need just one or two for the day, then recharge overnight. Technology is More Capable Than Ever Before Lithium-ion technology isn’t solely responsible for the enhanced features today’s users are seeing in their tools. A tool’s motor and electronics infrastructure are also key factors that can offer increased run-time and performance. Just because a voltage number may be higher, doesn’t mean it has more power. Because of many technological advances, Cordless Wrench power tool manufacturers have been able to meet and surpass higher voltage performance with that of their cordless solutions. By tying brushless motors to the world’s most capable electronics packages and most advanced lithium-ion batteries, users can truly push the boundaries of cordless tool performance and experience the enhanced productivity it provides. Cordless: Safety and Process Improvements Inherent The innovations surrounding Cordless Polisher has also led to opportunities that allow manufacturers to enhance other aspects of the tools, and impact the safety and efficiency of an overall process. Take the following two cordless tools for example. By utilizing their M18 FUEL technology, Milwaukee Tools introduced the first-ever, 18-volt cordless magnetic drill press. The tool utilizes permanent magnets so that the magnetic base operates without electricity; ensuring that the magnet does not deactivate if the battery is drained. Equipped with Auto-Stop lift-off detection, power to the motor is automatically cut if excess rotational motion is detected while drilling. Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL Grinder was the first cordless braking grinder on the market with corded performance. Its RAPID STOP brake stops accessories in under two seconds, while an electronic clutch reduces kick-back during bind-up. These types of new-to-the-world innovation wouldn’t have been possible without the complex interworking of lithium-ion, motor technologies and electronics. Managers specifying Power Tools for technicians might assume that tools are similar and likely to function about the same. There are major differences among power tools, and one important difference lies in their features and functions. These elements make a major difference in achieving productivity goals: quality, quantity, safety, timeliness, and cost. Spotlight on saws Portable Angle Grinders have become workhorses of many maintenance departments. They perform a variety of tasks and come in a number of different styles: circular, reciprocating, miter, band, and chain. Managers first should take a close look at saws’ shared features — power capacity, weight, corded or cordless, ergonomics, and safety. If all of a department’s power tools are the same make and powered by a common battery pack, technicians will need only one charger and a few battery packs to power all tools. Making a match Before specification managers should perform a survey of recently completed jobs that involved Electric Drills in order to identify the power, versatility, and durability factors that technicians need for high-productivity performance. Did the tools used perform well? What were the shortfalls, if any? What characteristics would have enabled the technician to improve job quantity and quality and lower cost while still working safely? Three factors – job preparation, setup and tool change at the job site, and tool use during the job — are important considerations. The more multi-tasking capability an Electric Router offers, the better tool utilization will be and the fewer tools technicians will require. In the wood screw assembly example above, one driver performs both drilling and driving. Coupled with quick chuck rotation from one driver to the other, the result is a high-productivity system that gets a quality job done fast with less labor at a lower cost. By using a predetermined time system, managers and technicians can make a side-by-side comparison of several method times to identify the best time before making a purchase.