A method for operating a machine tool having a battery and an electric motor which is designed to rotationally drive an output shaft that can be coupled to a tool is described, a control device for actuating the electric motor and a device for determining a parameter being provided, it being possible for the machine tool to be operated in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and the control device transferring the machine tool from the first operating mode into the second operating mode if the parameter determined by the device exceeds or falls below a defined threshold value. The electric motor (3) is controlled in the second operating mode by an amperage profile comprising current pulses (10, 10′, 11), a level a maximum amperage (A1, A1′, A2) of the current pulses (10, 10′, 11) being varied depending on an actual charge status of the battery (2). A machine tool that can be operated using a method of this kind is also described.

A hydraulic torque wrench comprises a ratchet link, a power head, and a signal carrying connector for connection to a controller. The ratchet link includes a housing and a drive plate mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing, the drive plate mounting one part of a first part of a ratchet drive. A socket is mounted for rotation within the housing, the socket providing a second part of the ratchet drive. During rotation of the drive plate in one direction the first and second part of the ratchet drive engage each other to cause rotation of the socket with the drive plate and during rotation of the drive plate in a second direction one of the first and second parts of the ratchet drive rides over the other such that the socket remains stationary while the drive plate rotates. The power head includes a piston and cylinder and hydraulic connections adapted for connection to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid. The torque wrench mounts a proximity sensor connected to the signal carrying connector and configured to detect maximum extension of the piston. When maximum extension of the piston is detected the proximity sensor emits an electrical signal.

A power tool and method of determining torque is provided. The method of determining torque uses the energy output by the drive mechanism and the angle of rotation of the output shaft to estimate torque. The energy is determined by subtracting efficiency losses (or gains) from a nominal energy of the drive mechanism in order to improve the torque estimation.

An extensive shaft assembly includes a casing, an extensive shaft, a sensor, a warning apparatus, and a connecting apparatus. The extensive shaft extends throughout the casing. The sensor is connected to the extensive shaft. The warning apparatus includes an LED module and a light-guiding ring. The light-guiding ring includes a slit. The LED module is electrically connected to the sensor and located in the slit of the LED module. The connecting apparatus connects the light-guiding ring to the casing so that an external annular portion of the light-guiding ring is visible through a gap between the casing and the connecting apparatus.

A smart torque system includes a fitting comprising a fitting body defining a fluid flow passage from a first end to a second end, and an electronically readable element that is configured to store information about the fitting including at least a torque requirement of the fitting; an electronic reading device that reads the torque requirement from the electronically readable element; and a torque tool that is programmable by the reading device to set a torque to be applied by the torque tool in accordance with the torque requirement. The electronically readable element may include an RFID or NFC storage device, or a patterned code element, that is read by a complementary reading device. The electronic reading device may be incorporated into the torque tool. In another aspect, a fitting includes a fitting body defining a fluid flow passage from a first end to a second end, and an integrated torque sensor. The integrated torque sensor includes an electronic sensor element; a push pin that is engageable with the electronic sensor element to close a circuit connected to the electronic sensor element; and a biasing element that is configured to actuate the pushpin. When the fitting is torqued in accordance with a torque requirement of the fitting, the biasing element actuates the push pin to engage with the electronic sensor element to close the circuit, and a stored data item within the electronic sensor element changes to indicate the fitting is torqued in accordance with the torque requirement.

An inspection system is provided, which is capable of notifying a worker of a determination result immediately while preventing detection failure. The inspection system to inspect a tightening state of a bolt includes: a server device that determines quality of the tightening state of the bolt based on a degree of similarity of a shape of a tightening waveform that indicates a torque change with time when a worker tightens the bolt using a nutrunner to a shape of a reference waveform that indicates an ideal torque change with time when the bolt is tightened; and a notification device that notifies the worker of the quality of the tightening state of the bolt, which is determined by the server device.

A method for assisting maintenance of an industrial tool (e.g., a screw driver or drill), implementing rotationally mobile components. The method includes: obtaining measurement data representing an angle and/or a torque during use of the tool; analyzing the measurement data to determine quality data representing possible disturbances induced for each of a set of controlled components, delivering a tool signature; storing the signature in a memory associated with the tool, and readable contactlessly at short distances; remotely reading the signature in the memory, by a terminal; identifying a component requiring action, based on the signature; obtaining, through the terminal, an intervention to be carried out, comprising 3D information on the tool; taking an image of the tool, by a camera on the terminal; displaying a representation in augmented reality, by using the image and the 3D pieces of information, identifying a defective component and/or maintenance operations to be performed.

The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

In a method for the documented tightening or tightening up of a heavily loaded screw connection of a threaded bolt and a nut screwed on the threaded bolt by using an axially operating tensioning device and a process control unit provided with a documentation module, the screw connection is identified by scanning an identification provided on the screw connection and data determined by scanning the identification is stored in the documentation module. The screw connection is lengthened by the tensioning device by axially pulling on a threaded end of the threaded bolt and a tightening force (F.sub.A) and/or a tightening pressure (P.sub.A) exerted by axially pulling on the threaded end is stored in the documentation module. After lengthening, the nut is turned by using a hand torque wrench and an actually exerted hand torque applied for turning the nut is stored in the documentation module.

A power tool is provided. The tool has a housing containing an internal drive system that drives an output member that engages a workpiece and exerts mechanical force thereupon. A force sensor and a positional sensor are operatively connected to the drive system to sense characteristic variables of the drive system during engagement of the workpiece. A light unit is positioned on a front end and a top portion of the housing so as to be able to direct light of various colors onto the workpiece. A control unit is operatively connected to the drive system and the light unit so as to control the light unit based on the characteristic variables of the drive system measured by the sensors. The light unit may illuminate a colored light on the workpiece depending on whether or not the workpiece was determined to be fastened according to predetermined specifications.