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INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
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across most of the electronic controls that producers are offering these days .”
BATTERY OPERATED POWER TOOLS SWEEP THE GLOBE
In the HVAC industry , the utilisation of specialised tools and instrumentation is crucial to ensure efficient and effective system operation . One company that specialises in manufacturing tools for HVAC & R pipe fitting is ROTHENBERGER .
ROTHENBERGER Tools SA managing director Adler Teubes says that when it comes to tools and instrumentation , the company places a strong emphasis on affordableish quality . While there is a global trend of digitising certain tools to enhance accuracy and convenience , he says this is happening extremely slowly in South Africa . “ Digital manifolds , for example , have been around for quite some time worldwide . These tools are used in air conditioning systems to measure low and high pressures . While digital manifolds offer a wider range of capabilities compared to their analogue counterparts , their higher price tag can be a deterrent for many in Africa , where pricing sensitivity is a significant factor .
“ Many professionals in the industry still prefer the analogue manifolds despite acknowledging the advantages of digital technology . Analogue manifolds limit the number of refrigerant gases that can be measured , typically up to four , and require multiple manifolds for different gases . In contrast , digital manifolds offer a remarkable improvement . With one digital manifold , you can measure up to 110 different gases , eliminating the need for numerous separate manifolds ,” explains Teubes . However , the digital manifold can be eight times the price .
There are other areas influencing the R & D of analogue tools : including a shift to batteryoperated tools and pressing of pipes rather than brazing and welding . “ One big shift we ' ve done recently is on vacuum pumps . Vacuuming the system before linking up refrigerant in an air conditioning unit has always been
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an electronic process . However , we have introduced battery-operated vacuum pumps to provide more flexibility and convenience . These pumps come in different capacities , such as 2.5 and 5 CFM ( cubic feet per minute ) and are suitable for various system sizes such as low-volume , long-period usage . The use of battery-operated pumps is especially beneficial in environments where power supply is uncertain or limited ,” says Teubes .
ROTHENBERGER has embraced the concept of standardised battery platforms for their tools and has subscribed to two battery platforms . “ Traditionally , each manufacturer of power tools had its own proprietary battery , leading to a fragmentation that inconvenienced consumers . However , those manufacturers have now come together to adopt a standardised battery approach . By doing so , they enable multiple suppliers to use the same battery , eliminating the need for users to invest in multiple battery types . This collaboration streamlines the industry , offers higher quality batteries from specialised manufacturers , and ultimately benefits the end consumer .”
The two battery platforms are Cordless Alliance System ( CAS ) and AMPshare . CAS was established a couple of years ago by Metabo and ROTHENBERGER , with Metabo being the battery manufacturer . ROTHENBERGER is one of the 27 manufacturers worldwide affiliated with CAS . More recently , the AMPshare system was introduced , with Bosch as the battery manufacturer . ROTHENBERGER is also part of the AMPshare system .
“ These standardised battery platforms offer significant advantages to end-users . For instance , if an HVAC professional primarily uses Bosch power tools , they can purchase a ROTHENBERGER vacuum pump that is compatible with the Bosch AMPshare battery system . This eliminates the need for extra batteries and saves money in the long run , as batteries are typically one of the priciest components of power tools . By adopting standardised battery platforms , manufacturers
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can focus on producing high-quality tools while leaving the battery manufacturing to specialised battery manufacturers .”
He notes that this means an HVAC company can now have ten tools with five batteries , whereas in the past those ten tools would have required 15 batteries , for example .
Battery lifespan is another important factor to consider , in an environment where loadshedding is unlikely to end for a number of years . Like any battery , the rechargeable batteries used in power tools have a limited lifespan . However , advancements in battery technology have significantly improved their durability and performance . Modern batteries can last for an extended period before needing replacement .
“ Power tools are going battery-operated worldwide . In the US , 95 % of all power tools are battery-operated . In Europe , it ’ s around 90 %. South Africa is still a bit behind , but as in any industry there are people who prefer electrical power tools over battery-operated ones because they perceive the latter to be less powerful . However , batteries have improved over time to such a degree that certain tools perform better with batteries than with electricity ,” says Teubes .
While the market may be slow to adopt high-tech or digitalised tools , one area it doesn ’ t compromise , says Teubes , is on quality . “ HVAC & R users of tools are highly professional and quality orientated . They will not compromise on the quality of their tools , even if they argue the price . They tend to stick with known , quality brands and will not touch non-compliant tools .”
ROTHENBERGER products conform to the EN and CE standards . “ For instance , we manufacture products specifically for OEMs such as Codex Behringer . ROTHENBERGER products remain high quality with our factories mainly being in Germany and in Spain . The amount of warranty claims we receive on products is extremely minimal , with not even many damages or breakages due to misuse by end users . Through the design and manufacture process , we tend to
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eliminate the ability or the ease with which products can be misused and abused by users ,” he says .
Helping this low return rate is that ROTHENBERGER products are used only by qualified technicians and semi-skilled people , not unskilled . There are also dangers associated with dealing with gases , so the users are both qualified and cautious . Typical tools for HVAC & R installers and technicians are vacuum pumps and recovery unit , pipe bending tools , brazing and soldering , not specifically for aircon units themselves but rather setting it up .
“ There are not too many pipes going into the installation , while in refrigeration most of the piping is installed by the manufacturer ,” says Teubes .
HVAC installers and heating contractors can use bending to create an installation that requires few joints . Fewer joints mean fewer potential leaks . Bending also requires no fittings and is therefore more economical . ROTHENBERGER offers all the tools required for the installation , maintenance and leakage control as well as refrigerant recovery , decommissioning and disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning systems as well as heat pumps .
ROTHENBERGER ’ s R & D is progressing in the direction of ‘ pressing ’. “ Technicians are not soldering and brazing the pipes together anymore . They are now crimping it , whereby you get a fitting which gets crimped onto your pipe . The entire HVAC & R world is going in that direction , though South Africa is again well behind the curve in adopting pressing technologies . All the major global manufacturers as well as local distributors are going that route in a big way , and the advantage of being part of a large multinational organisation like ROTHENBERGER , is that it works a lot with global pipe and fitting manufacturers like Conex-Banninger and Geberit - so that we firstly become their tool suppliers to fit their pipes and fittings , and secondly have access to the latest trends ,” he adds . CLA
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