Screw connections should be tightened safely, faster, more cost-efficiently and, above all, traceably. In modern series production with the appropriate infrastructure and equipment, these requirements for cost-effectiveness and process reliability can be easily implemented. But beyond the factory and workshop walls, the situation is different.

For example, when tightening critical screw connections with high torques during the construction of wind turbines. "We have developed a new series of intelligent cordless screwdrivers for such applications out in the field," reports Thomas Hülsmann, Managing Director for General Industry at Atlas Copco Tools in Essen: "Previously expensive and time-consuming assembly and maintenance work that was previously carried out with heavy hydraulic screwdrivers, for example, can now be carried out much faster and more cost-effectively using our proven tensor drive technology with handy cordless tools. And with complete freedom of movement, without annoying hoses or cables."

Intelligently networked assembly made mobile
The SRB HA tools are available in three series, of which even the entry-level SRB HA Digital version has a set-and-go function and is ready for immediate use. The SRB HA Smart and SRB HA Connected models offer an integrated WLAN server so that the screwdrivers can be connected to any mobile device. "This makes it possible to record torque, rotation angle and batch data without additional software," explains Product Manager Sebastian Pesdicek, who co-developed the smart cordless screwdrivers. "For maximum functionality and process reliability, both the Smart and Connected models have an accessory bus for a barcode scanner. The Connected models can also be integrated into higher-level systems for real-time data transmission and analysis." This enables intelligently networked assembly even on remote construction sites, and SRB-HA users can be guided step by step through the assembly process using worker guidance, says Pesdicek.

36-volt lithium-ion batteries of the latest generation with charge and status indicators power the 390 to 4,000 Newton meter screwdrivers, which are smart and particularly ergonomic. In addition to the comparatively low weight and the protective D-handle, the double starter is a unique selling point. The sophisticated two-handed operation minimizes the risk of finger crushing injuries, as both hands are inevitably on the tool during operation. In addition, further model variants are already in preparation, covering the torque range from 200 to 1,000 Newton meters with particularly slim variants and rounding off the lower end of the performance spectrum.

The display informs the operator with clear feedback on the screwdriving results and enables parameter set preselection and torque settings. In addition, multifunctional LEDs on the handle with clear OK and NOK status messages provide feedback on torque and rotation angle. as