Norbar Torque Tools has launched its game-changing cordless torque tool, the EvoTorque® Battery Tool (EBT), specifically designed to improve performance and data traceability in safety-critical and heavy industrial operations.

The new EBT is ideally suited for all applications where conventional electric or pneumatic power is not available or simply in situations where the removal of hoses and cables is needed to improve workplace safety.

Developed to meet the market need for cordless torque tools, the EBT removes the need for on-site generators, eliminates the problem of unreliable on-site voltage stability and declutters the work place of trailing cables and hoses. It is capable of delivering exceptional power and accuracy whilst, crucially, gathering and transmitting the mission-critical data required for modern quality control systems.

The new battery tool is equipped with a high-powered, no-maintenance brushless motor which provides significantly greater power than similar tools on the market and outstanding thermal durability.

From the outset, Norbar recognised that speed of operation is one of the most important factors for most tool users. With this in mind, a new automatic Two-Speed gearbox was developed and offered as an option on all EBT models. This allows the tools to run at between 4 and 5 times the speed of single-speed tools under low load and automatically shift to a high torque, low-speed gear for final tightening. The additional benefit of an automatic gear change, compared with the manual change offered by many competitors is that no time is lost in stopping, shifting and restarting the tool.

Philip Brodey, project sponsor at Norbar, commented: “Most torque tool users want to know how many tightening cycles the tool will perform from a battery, but the more relevant question usually is, how many cycles will the tool perform before it overheats?”. The new EvoTorque® EBT is designed to offer outstanding performance whilst minimising the traditional overheating problem of battery-operated tools. In short, under the same conditions a Norbar EBT will keep working when most competitors have to be stopped to cool.

“Critical in the design of the new EBT is the ability for the tool to deliver precise torque, to within ±3% of setting. To achieve this, the EBT joins a small group of tools on the market that are transducer controlled rather than current controlled. Coupled with Norbar’s unique joint sensing software, this makes the EBT one of the most accurate torque tools available over a wide range of joint types.”

The EBT allows two-way communication via Bluetooth or USB cable, downloading up to 3,000 time and date-stamped readings or live streaming data from the tool. It is also possible to upload information to the tool, such as tightening sequences. To manage this data, tools are supplied with a complimentary copy of Norbar’s EvoLog PC software. As an added benefit, data can be output in CSV format to communicate directly with customers’ own data management systems.

In addition, the EBT can communicate with smart devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, which enables the ability to gather tightening data specific to a known set of GPS coordinates.  When working in safety-critical applications, such as railway infrastructure, this enables the EBT to provide invaluable traceability data.

The new EBT is also equipped with an ‘Audit Mode’, which offers the ability to perform a check on pre-tightened bolts. Most electric tools if applied to a tight bolt will further tighten, which means that even if the bolt was fastened correctly, the test will destroy the original tightening integrity. Under ‘Audit Mode’, an EBT will run at a speed that allows it to stop almost instantaneously once the set torque is achieved. If a bolt is found to be loose then the tool will tighten it to the desired level, recording the angle of turn required.

Norbar’s EBT cordless torque tool family has three torque ranges; 1,350 N∙m, 2,700 N∙m and 4,000 N∙m. Tools are supplied kitted in a hard case with two batteries and a three-bay rapid charger that enables cold batteries to be fully charged from flat in 45 minutes. There is also a ‘bare tool’ option for customers who already have a sufficient number of batteries and chargers. Accessories including a ‘Right-Angle Gearbox’ and offset gearboxes that are designed to reach bolts with limited head room will follow shortly after launch.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

Norbar is the world's leading torque tools specialist. Norbar specialises in the manufacture and worldwide distribution of torque tools for torque tightening, measurement and calibration. The primary office and factory location is in Banbury, United Kingdom and there are also Norbar sales, service and calibration facilities in Australia, USA, Singapore, China and India. Other countries are served through a network of distributors.