The manufacturing industry is undergoing a rapid shift as it responds to innovations and growth in the solar, wind, and ground transportation markets.

Simultaneously, STANLEY Engineered Fastening is releasing a new generation of battery-operated, motor-driven hand tools that are comparable to the pneumatic tools traditionally used in manufacturing — especially in engineered fastening applications.

Until now, pneumatic tools were the industry standard in manufacturing, with good reason: they deliver consistent power and require little maintenance. But the inefficient pneumatic systems behind them are costly to maintain, monitor, and operate.

Generating compressed air can account for up to 10% of the energy consumption in a production facility, and that doesn’t even begin to address the costs associated with system maintenance and disposal of the oily wastewater byproducts of compressed air.

Cordless electric tools also lower the risk for workplace accidents — both from tripping over hoses and being injured by damaged air lines — reducing company liability and the threat of costly legal settlements.

Battery-operated hand tools also offer lighter, quieter operation and improved ergonomics over pneumatic tools, partly due to no longer having to “fight” with air hoses. The lower vibrations produced by cordless tools are less physically taxing to operators, and no hoses means fewer trip hazards and no risk of injury from broken or damaged air lines.

To provide the safest and best user experience, here are the latest members of the STANLEY cordless family:

Capable of installing up to 1,100 steel open-end fasteners on a single charge, the Stanley PB2500 Smart is a blind rivet tool with process monitoring designed for manufacturers in the appliances, bus and coach, solar, and white goods sector. It offers a touchscreen display with rivet counts and other live quality data and is ideal for safety-critical mountings such as seating and handles.

Engineered to maximize efficiency on rail, bus, and coach production lines, the Stanley SB25PT-05 is the first-ever battery-powered speed fastening solution. The speed rivet system is magazine-fed and doesn’t produce any waste material. It is compatible with its pneumatic predecessor tools, allowing easy interchange of components — making the transition to cordless considerably less expensive.

The first cordless blind rivet nut tool in the Stanley Engineered Fastening range, the Stanley NB08PT-18 was designed for bus and rail coach, HVAC systems, and domestic appliance manufacturing operations. It can install 900 steel blind rivet nuts on a single battery charge, features a touch-operated screen with live rivet counts, and has programmable stroke and force settings that provide consistent, precise rivet placements.

STANLEY Engineered Fastening tools continue to deliver increased productivity, sustainability, and safety to the assembly and manufacturing sector while reducing operation costs.

This new generation of cordless tools is designed to be “one battery fits all,” meaning that the same DEWALT battery can operate both a fastening tool and a wide range of other tools, offering flexibility, cost savings, and convenience.