Makita U.S.A., manufacturer of high-quality industrial power tools and accessories and member of the Power Tool Institute, will adopt the new PTI Torque Procedure to measure torque in cordless drills, including driver-drills and hammer driver-drills in driver-drill mode. The new test method, agreed upon by all major power tool companies in the PTI, is the industry’s first standard to measure torque in drills. Torque is one of the best means to measure the performance of cordless professional drills, a product used by pro tradesmen that accounts for a significant share of all power tool sales.
“Since Makita introduced and commercialized the cordless market nearly 30 years ago, there has been no single standard for measuring torque in cordless drills, and manufacturers have published figures derived from a range of different testing methodologies,” said Stan Rodrigues, manager, Regulatory and Compliance Department at Makita. “A single standard with a consistent methodology will produce more accurate measurements for comparison, and is a true win for dealers and end-users of driver-drills.”
Prior to PTI’s new standard, power tool manufacturers conducted their own torque measurement in-house or with third-party testing labs. The torque numbers were not useful for comparison since the testing hardware and methodologies were not standard. PTI’s membership recognized this and worked together to create a new standard.
“Makita supports the new standard,” said Ken Hefley, Makita senior vice president, marketing. “For tradesmen, torque is an important factor in the performance of a drill and a single standard guideline will produce consistent data so professional users can make informed purchasing decisions.”
To learn more about the new PTI Torque Procedure, including the testing hardware and methodology, go to www.powertoolinstitute.com.
PTI has established itself as a pre-eminent organization for building global understanding of power tools and for maintaining high standards of safety and quality control in the industry. Its members represent market-leading brands in the areas of portable and stationary power tools.
Based in La Mirada, Calif., Makita USA manufactures more than 450 professional, industrial quality power tools and has more than 2,000 industrial accessories.
