Setting a new baseline for its cordless tool offerings, tool maker Hilti announced the introduction of Nuron, a new 22V battery platform that will power all of its cordless power tools going forward. The lithium-ion batteries will be compatible with all of Hilti’s refreshed cordless tools, from the smallest cordless drivers to the largest breakers and concrete saws.

The unveiling of the new battery comes with a collection of dozens of new tools, which replace earlier models running on previous generations of batteries.

“Never before have we launched 70 tools at once,” says Christopher Loos, CEO of the Hilti Group. He credits this unusually large starting lineup to the Nuron battery, which is able to “cover applications from light-duty drilling all the way to heavy-duty concrete chiseling and crushing.”

Hilti plans to eventually bring all of its existing cordless tools over to Nuron batteries. The Schaan, Liechtenstein-based tool manufacturer is beginning the rollout of Nuron tools in the U.S. and Canada, with a global rollout to continue throughout the year.

The initial selection includes circular saws, metal-cutting tools, breakers, drivers, impact wrenches and a selection of specialty tools for the electrical and plumbing trades. In addition to refreshing existing tool lines, Hilti is also using Nuron as a springboard into new cordless tool categories, according to Johannes W. Huber, Hilti executive vice president, diamond tools and accessories. “We’ve developed all these tools from the ground up,” he says. “That allowed us to add tools into our portfolio that were previously unthinkable, and pushing performance into limits that you would need otherwise high-voltage platforms, or even gas-driven tools.”

While the batteries are rated at only 22V, electronic controls and the arrangement of the cells allows their use in high-demand applications. The TE 2000-22 cordless jackhammer can be used in the kind of intense concrete breaking and demolition activities that would normally call for a corded or pneumatic hammer. The hammer runs on two of the higher amp-hour Nuron batteries, and weighs only 38 lb. Meanwhile, the DSH 600-22 cut-off saw takes two Nuron batteries and can get through concrete, masonry, rebar and other demanding materials, at a weight of only 18.73 lb.

Tools like the TE 2000-22 jackhammer, DSH 600-22 cordless cut-off saw are designed to perform as well as pneumatic jackhammers or gas-powered saws, says Huber, who says a combination of battery design and heat management lets them draw the power they need. But what really gets them through high-demand applications is the built-in electronic controls. “We developed an interface from the battery to the tool that allows us to draw more than 100 amps out of the battery,” he says, adding that the dual-battery design found on the breakers and saws is only necessary on the most demanding applications.

While the Nuron batteries vary in size based on the amp-hour rating, they are all compatible with Nuron tools. The new battery is also serving as the foundation of future cordless technology development at Hilti, says Moses Ender, the manufacturer's group manager for battery research and development. Hilti has been working on Nuron for a long time, he says, but there is still much to be done. "Nuron opens a completely new world of battery technology and what can be implemented. It really prepares us for the future." And whether it's better energy density for longer runtimes or improved power draw for demanding applications, Nuron's modular design lets Hilti experiment without breaking compatibility, Ender adds.

In addition to reducing the need for multiple chargers and adapters, the common battery platform also offers a cost proposition to users, says Tassilo Deinzer, head of Hilti’s power tools and accessories business unit. “You can run your entire tool group with a lot fewer batteries, and by doing so save a lot of money,” he explains. For example, a worker performing anchor installations in concrete can now swap between the same batteries for drilling, vacuum cleanup and epoxy injection, reducing the number of spare batteries they need to carry.

All of the new tools that produce dust are compatible with Hilti’s OSHA Table 1-compliant Dust Removal Systems, which also run on Nuron batteries. Active Vibration Reduction is available on all of the new Nuron tools, with Active Torque Control a feature on many as well.

Hilti plans to exhibit the new Nuron battery tool line at the World of Concrete trade show, held in Las Vegas Jan. 18 to 20.