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Common terms for power tools: information - part 1!

Pascal Biri
17.11.2016
Translation: machine translated

The world of machinery is huge! Knowledge of a large number of technical terms, functions and features plays a role in the choice and use of machines. In my first article, you'll find an explanation of the most important drilling and screwdriving terms.

Battery capacity

The capacity of a battery is indicated in ampere-hours (Ah). If the battery shows 2Ah, for example, it will supply 2A for one hour or 0.4A for five hours.

Memory effect

The memory effect is the loss of capacity due to frequent partial discharges of a nickel-cadmium battery and other types of battery. The battery memorises the energy requirement and supplies less and less energy over time. Li-ion batteries are less sensitive to this effect.

Self-discharge

Self-discharge refers to processes that take place automatically and result in batteries and accumulators being discharged more or less quickly, even when no electrical consumer is connected. Li-ion batteries are less sensitive to this effect.

Deep discharge

Deep discharge means drawing current until the battery's capacity is almost completely exhausted.

Power consumption

Absorbed power is the power that a power tool consumes from the power source (battery or socket). The power that is then available (power output) is always lower since a loss always occurs at each energy conversion.

Torque

Torque indicates the amount of power applied to a rotating body. The greater the torque, the more powerful the screwdriving, or to put it simply: the greater the torque of the machine, the more powerful it is.

Screwing

First and foremost, we need to differentiate between soft and hard screwing. Hard screwing is when the screw head reaches the material, for example steel, the material does not flex and the screw head cannot be countersunk. If the cordless screwdriver is not stopped at this point, the maximum torque (Nm) can cause the screw to break at the screw head. There is also a risk of hand injury if the machine is not held with both hands. Soft screwing occurs when the screw head sinks into the material when screwing into soft materials. This happens when the torque of the cordless screwdriver is so high that the screw simply sinks in with the screw head.

Rotation stop

The rotation stop is mainly a function specific to hammer drills. It allows the rotation movement to be stopped in a targeted manner so that chiselling work can be carried out with the hammer.

Percussive energy

Impact energy (also impact force) is the kinetic energy released when one body meets another. This is indicated in joules. For the user, this means they can drill a hole more quickly. Percussion energy is mainly indicated for hammer drills, where it plays an important role.

Percussion stop

The percussion stop is a function for stopping the percussive movement of hammer drills and percussion drills so that drilling in wood or steel can also be carried out.

Tool housing

To ensure rapid tool change combined with high precision, tool housings (the interface between tool and spindle) are standardised. As a general rule, quick-release, SDS-Plus, SDS-Max or SDS-quick chucks are used for drills, cordless screwdrivers, hammer drills and the like.

Quick-release chuck

A quick-release chuck is a standard chuck used with cordless drills or screwdrivers. The quick-release chuck is mainly used in situations requiring a quick and frequent change of drill heads. It is visually recognisable by the roughened (knurled) rotating sleeve. A chuck spanner is not required for this chuck.

SDS-Plus

The SDS-Plus chuck features a drill shank with special grooves ensuring better force transmission.

SDS-Max

This variant is used for heavy hammer drills and has in the meantime largely won out over the older housing systems (splined shaft, hexagonal support).

SDS-quick

According to the state of the art in 2013, this variant is only designed for Bosch-Uneo and Bosch-Uneo Maxx cordless hammer drills.

Products for drilling and screwing:

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Pascal Biri
Retail Sales & Service Professional
pascal.biri@digitecgalaxus.ch

Whether on the bike, to explore new trails off the beaten track, or just to stretch my feet up in the air - I prefer to spend my free time outdoors in nature. This is a great balance for me. But it's also a lot of fun for me to do a DIY project. In such projects I can refresh or further deepen my knowledge of the building sector. Some funny projects have already been created! 

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