What is so great about connected power tools?

In a nutshell, the connected tools developed by Bosch allow trade professionals to work smarter and faster – immediately boosting their productivity and giving them a competitive edge. Better still, the smart capabilities of these tools keep on advancing and expanding as Bosch adds further innovations to its ‘Toolbox’ app. In other words, the tool originally bought is constantly evolving due to this technology– so its user is always a step ahead of the competition.

Times have changed

To understand the importance of connectivity, think back to what life was like before mobile phones. If you were fitting out a new building and needed to contact your team for information, it might mean searching for the nearest red phone box. If your team needed to contact you, there was little choice but to drive over to the site.

Thanks to smartphones, we can now get in touch easily – not only with people but with the internet and its endless possibilities. We can even communicate with objects, including power tools, through the Internet of Things. Just as we wonder how we ever got by without mobile phones, we will soon be asking how people worked without connected tools. But this isn’t some kind of futuristic vision – the benefits are here today.

Real-life connected power tools

Two real-life examples of connected tools with special appeal to electricians are the Bosch GSB 18 V-60 C Professional Combi Drill and the Bosch GSR 18 V-60 FCC Professional Drill Driver with FlexiClick. Along with its connectivity benefits, the combi drill offers the latest high-powered, ultra-efficient brushless EC motor technology and a host of electronic aids. The versatile drill driver, which is especially handy in hard-to-reach places, comes with a set of click-on adapters for many different tasks.

Each of these tools has a compact connectivity module which simply slots into it. The module sets up a Bluetooth wireless connection between the tool, the user’s smartphone and the free Bosch Toolbox app, so they can all talk to each other.

Let’s say you want to personalise the KickBack Control, precision clutch or other settings, or adjust the tool’s configuration for a particular job. Those instructions can be given via smartphone and the system will memorise them for future reference. You and the tool don’t even need to be close to each other.

The tools also talk back. They will give a warning if, for instance, they are overheating or if there is a problem with their motor, battery or electronics. In addition to essential indicators like battery charge level, users can see and record data on a tool’s operating history – including runtimes and any sensor activations. They can also access troubleshooting advice and all sorts of reference information.

Connected lighting and measuring equipment

Along with a whole range of power tools such as drills, drivers and angle grinders, Bosch Professional uses connectivity in measuring and lighting equipment. This enables the Bosch GLI 18 V-1900 C Professional Floodlight, for example, to be used and adjusted easily and remotely.

Without having to walk to and from the light, which could well be some distance away and up a ladder, the user can: lock or unlock it; switch it on or off; increase or decrease its brightness; check its battery status; and control a group of lights simultaneously.

For the same kind of convenience in jobs needing precise alignment, Bosch has added connectivity to line lasers, with motorised rotating mounts, for remote levelling and adjustment.

The Bosch GLM 120 C Professional Rangefinder is a laser measure with an inbuilt camera as a viewfinder, and an integrated zoom function. As well as solving the problem of target invisibility, in all conditions, it also enjoys all the advantages of connectivity.

It can be controlled remotely and its connection to the free Bosch Measuring Master app helps users in quickly recording, processing and sharing information. The app can be used to measure, make calculations, create floor plans and record notes.

The app also makes it easy to transfer measurements and other information straight into documents, in the right format, so there are no transfer errors. Everything can be sent instantly and wirelessly to team members or customers.

Non-stop improvement

Bosch connectivity is constantly improving and extra functions are being added all the time. Whenever there is a new development, the Toolbox app is updated and the tool can then do even more.

Bosch connectivity is about upgrading trade professionals and businesses, as well as their tools. It not only puts them ahead of their competitors today but maintains their advantage into the future.

For more information visit: www.bosch-professional.co.uk