About five million people in Germany pursue craft professions. Professional power tools therefore are a promising market. When it comes to precision quality tools, Hilti from Liechtenstein is one of the industry leaders. The former five-man operation today is a global player which operates in more than 120 countries. The international breakthrough took place in 1967 with the almost legendary drill hammer TE 17 with electropneumatic actuation. Today, Hilti employs more than 24,000 people worldwide. The portfolio includes technological leading products, system solutions, software and services.
Only ten years after Hilti was founded, another foundation stone was laid at the other end oft he world in 1951. The Minebea Co., Ltd. started its production of miniature ball bearings. Today, MinebeaMitsumi employs about 100.000 people worldwide. PM DM GmbH in Villingen-Schwenningen is the largest motor development center in this strong network.
Those two success stories met, when Hilti’s product development had the intention to launch a fastening device with a special drive system. The requirements were clear: Hammering nails had to be as easy as possible while keeping the energy consumption as low as possible without using gas cans or catridges.
By using an electric motor, springs can absorb the impact energy and release kinetic energy within a few milliseconds. Therefore a motor with longevity and persistence was needed. Furthermore, Hilti’s engineers were hoping to find a space-saving and light-weight solution, that still provides strong torque. The ideal solution was combining strong power with low energy comsumption. In close consultation and trusting cooperation, the project manager’s from PM DM and Hilti developed a power motor, which made the BX 3-ME the first combustion-free fastening device for concrete and steel bases with enough power for those solid grounds.
The cooperation of PM DM and Hilti proves, which great potentials lies in close collaboration, fairness, trust, technological know-how and an ideal communication of all involved parties. Both sides were enthusiastic about the successful result.
