Feature
TOOLS - A TECHNICIAN ’ S BEST FRIEND
By Benjamin Brits
So many tools to achieve the job are available to HVACR technicians and even when looking at the “ essential short list ”, one would find anything up to thirty different types of apparatus .
If you had to consider the history of hand tools , some can be traced back thousands of years , however the modern tool age came about in the mid to late 1800s where patents surface for things like pliers and wrenches that are still used today .
You may probably not give too much thought to the tools that are required for technicians to use ; however , you see so many different options from various manual tools to electric driven options in addition to the fast-growing segment of battery-operated equipment . The HVACR industry features many different materials too such as copper , aluminium , stainless steel , titanium , plastics and synthetics for certain applications . Each of these mediums have different tolerances and characteristics to take into account , and sometimes require the use of different types of tools – pipework for example requires different tooling and accessories to work with steel versus plastic .
The idea of tools ( and in this context and industry we will include testing , monitoring and digital technology ) has been built up over many decades to increase capability and reduce time on site . It was long the case of the past that teams would struggle for hours or days to complete installations or repair work . This naturally became an increasing challenge for businesses who had extended downtime and for teams who were essentially inefficient . As the world has moved towards far more streamlined operations and even predictive maintenance through artificial intelligence , so has the world of tools .
Ranges of equipment have expanded and contracted according to demand and function , and today sees such advancements in technology and connectivity that a technician is really able to do anything on site . Some sectors such as heavy equipment and earthmoving have advanced so far that through digital technology , mechanics are able to use tools similar to virtual reality whereby they can see from various angles the exact makeup of components which makes their job of taking apart and re-assembly flawless with guidance of the exact method and tool required . In other sectors too , technology has moved towards “ human aids ” that include mechanical supports that enable technicians to carry heavier parts and move within more confined spaces – imagine how useful this would have been 15 years ago when there was no other option but to carry that 300kg motor by hand up a narrow set of service stairs four stories up by four people !
Rothenberger RS Components
Pipe bending tools are one of the most common found in a technician ’ s set .
Deburring sets come in many configurations depending on the application .
With the vastness that is tooling it is no surprise that manufacturers spend a lot of money on research and development . Some tools can ’ t be improved much more than on an aesthetic or comfort level and generally long periods of time pass in between product changes . However , power tools and digital devices on the other hand have the ability to not only improve on those elements already mentioned but can further be developed for energy savings , improved control and accuracy , more simple ways of achieving a task , portability , and reduction in size or weight .
MOST COMMON HVACR TOOLS The HVACR technician tool ‘ short-list ’ developed by a division of the United Nations ( OzonAction ) includes the following and is an
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I June 2022 47