Hand Tools
01 February 2000
The new Ingersoll-Rand vertical/angle grinders and sanders boast the most advanced vibration dampening technologies available today, says its manufacturer.
INGERSOLL-RAND, one of the world's largest manufacturers of power tools, claims to have taken the lead in ergonomic tools with the launch its Ergopro grinders and sanders.
Offering the lowest vibration performance in their class, the Ergopro 77A, 88, and 99 series vertical/angle grinders and sanders introduce the most advanced vibration dampening technologies available today, says a company spokesman.
"Tests to the industry-recognised ISO 8662-4 vibration standard show that Ergopro tools have the best vibration levels in their field, with figures up to 65 per cent below the levels of comparable competitive tools," he claims.
The new Ergopro Series of tools are used in a wide range of industrial applications including civil engineering, pipe-laying, general manufacturing, foundries, finishing, shipbuilding and metal fabrication.
Based on the successful design of the PRO Series grinders and sanders from Ingersoll-Rand, Ergopro tools utilise two unique technologies to dampen tool vibration., according to the spokesman.
''The first is the revolutionary Ergo ergonomic 'dead' handle which is fitted to all tools in the Ergopro series. In the 77A, 88V and 99V grinders, this is combined with a second vibration dampening technology - autobalancing,'' he elaborates.
Meanwhile, Ingersoll-Rand has announced that production of the company's air-powered percussive breakers for markets in the Middle East, Europe and Africa has been relocated from the US to Ingersoll-Rand's specialist percussive manufacturing facility in Swan Lane in North West England.
Swan Lane, an ISO9002 certified factory, now manufactures one of the largest available ranges of tools for the construction industry, covering products from paving breakers and demolition hammers to diggers, chippers, scalers and pumps as well as a wide selection of maintenance tools such as impactools, drills and grinders.
Steve Siddall, business development manager for Ingersoll-Rand Construction Tools in the UK, says: "Moving percussive tool manufacture to the UK demonstrates Ingersoll-Rand's long-term commitment to our construction tool customers not only in the UK and Ireland, but also in Europe, the Middle East and Africa."
The Ingersoll-Rand construction tool range offers a choice of established tools such as the 93 series of light demolition tools and leading- edge technology products such as the DT demolition range. The use of air power offers a number of advantages over electrically-powered tools, including a high power-to-weight ratio, long life, easy maintenance, no burn-out under stall conditions and wet weather capability, he says.
From powerful paving breakers for road work to hard-rock picks for concrete removal, Ingersoll-Rand breaking and demolition tools combine recognised leadership in percussive technology with significant advances in noise control and ergonomics, says Siddall.
"The Promaxx and DT Series tools are the finest and unique examples of Ingersoll-Rand's quest for productivity and operator comfort, delivering more power than competitive tools, with a host of ergonomic and convenience features," he says.
Also in this category, there are light demolition tools, diggers and chippers - versatile tools that respond to application needs.
Ingersoll-Rand's hammer drills, pickhammers and scalers are claimed to be the ideal tools for drilling pipe conduits, scarifying concrete and cleaning stone and metal. There are also rammers and tampers to make fast work of surface preparation tasks. Other products in the Ingersoll-Rand construction tool range include concrete vibrating pokers, circular and reciprocating saws; centrifugal and diaphragm pumps and a complete range of service and maintenance tools.
