Power tools are a key to productivity in the oil & gas or the metal working industry. Maintenance and production tasks must be carried
out efficiently, however intensive use of vibrating power tools, such as grinders, can expose operators to Hand
Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). How can we reduce risks, improve productivity and reduce the abrasive costs at the same time?
In
order to prevent workers from experiencing HAVS, to comply with the European Directive 2002/44/EC, and to prioritize best practice,
you should consider tools with an autobalancer. This will help to reduce vibration levels and operators’ fatigue, thereby ensuring users’
safety while improving productivity and profitability ratios. Additionally, the extra cost of the autobalancer is quickly compensated by
the decreased abrasive consumption and the increased productivity.
It is important to keep in mind the simple measures that can be implemented to minimize the risk of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
These include selecting a robust tool with a short trigger time that is appropriate for the task at hand, ensuring hands are kept warm,
taking regular breaks, and alternating between tasks and grip positions with varying levels of stress.
Célia Esnault, Global Product Marketing Manager at Chicago Pneumatic
What is an autobalancer?
Quite simply, an autobalancer stabilizes a tool. An autobalancer is a disk, such as ball bearing, with freely moving balls inside that is
fixed onto the output of the tool as a flange, and spins at the same speed as the tool’s output. While spinning, the balls compensate for
any abrasive imperfection. Their fast rotation creates a gyroscopic effect that balances the tool, greatly reducing any vibration.
An autobalancer is considered as one of the best anti-vibration options for power tools, not only because ergonomics are improved but also
because operators’ fatigue is reduced and consequently the risk of injury decreases. Moreover, users can work with these tools for longer as
they reach their maximum limit of vibration later than when they work with tools that do not include this feature.
By choosing a tool with an autobalancer there are many benefits:
Increased efficiency, profitability and productivity
Tools’ lifetime is enhanced as they have shorter trigger times
Abrasive disks last longer because the contact between the abrasive and the application is optimized. This increases the material removal
rate up to 15% more than using a tool without an autobalancer.
What is the effect on productivity when vibrations are reduced?
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Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
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