Cordless tools combine power and durability

An Ingersoll-Rand European Sales product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 14, 2006

Cordless impact wrenches feature reverse torque levels of up to 500Nm and a durability three times longer than the competition.

Until now, the power and reliability of cordless impact wrenches did not quite live up to users' expectations.

Fortunately, the new Ingersoll-Rand IQv range provides an ideal solution by featuring reverse torque levels of up to 500Nm and a durability three times longer than the competition.

The IQv series is also the most compact and the lightest available.

The exceptional durability of the IQv Series has been proven with endurance tests.

These tests consisted of carrying out 15-second tightening and loosening cycles (5 seconds of tightening, a 2.5-second waiting period, 5 seconds of loosening, and then another 2.5-second waiting period).

With 65,000 cycles, this range provides durability three times longer than the best market standards.

This exceptionally long life is explained by three factors.

First, all the parts of the impact mechanism have been designed to ensure smooth mechanical contact without any sharp angles.

Secondly, Ingersoll-Rand uses strong, upmarket materials for the impact mechanism.

Thirdly, the company has developed an enhanced surface treatment that ensures increased wear resistance.

Other features which enhance reliability include the casing construction which is made of two materials: high-tensile steel for shock resistance and nylon reinforced with glass fibre to resist chemical attacks.

Battery reliability and service life have also been improved.

Ingersoll-Rand equips the IQv series with a Li-ion battery to provide considerably increased autonomy.

As a complement, the company has developed an intelligent charger with an automatic battery regeneration function that is triggered when a fall in levels of autonomy is detected.

This feature multiplies battery lifespan fourfold.

The universal charger is compatible with all the batteries in the Li-ion and Ni-Cd ranges.

Furthermore, a sturdy patented twist lock system has been developed for the battery fixing mechanism.

It avoids wear and eliminates the risks of part loss.

The loosening torque of the cordless impact wrenches in the IQv series is also outstanding.

At up to 500Nm, it is up to 30% higher than that of existing models.

This performance has been generated by establishing an extremely efficient relationship between the impact mechanism, the motor and the battery.

Each of these elements has been specifically optimised to reach the maximum power levels.

The range thus opens up new applications for cordless impact wrenches, such as motor vehicle tyre replacement or industrial maintenance.

The IQv range also provides excellent ergonomics in terms of size and weight with gains of 30% compared with other models on the market.

These characteristics have been obtained by replacing metal with glass fibre reinforced nylon wherever possible, by using a compact motor and by incorporating Ingersoll-Rand mechanisms that have already been considerably downsized.

The impact wrenches are thus up to 30% lighter and more compact.

By way of example, the W360 0.5in model weighs less than 2.8kg (with the battery) and is 22cm long.

The complete IQv range is made up of two 13mm screwdrivers and three impact wrenches: 0.25, 0.375 and 0.5in.