Power Tools

The trends towards safer, smarter power tools

Depending on their mission profile and whether or not the task at hand requires a torque, power tools can be based on brushed DC, 3-phase brushless DC (BLDC), or universal motors. While still popular, electrical tools that are directly powered from the AC main supply are gradually being replaced by battery-operated equipment. However, cordless power tools often come with a trade-off between weight, power, and battery run-time before recharge.

Power tools are also becoming smarter thanks to embedded sensing features to further enhance performance, usability (by reducing torque ripple for example), and security (preventing dangerous kick-back for instance). Connectivity features are also increasingly implemented in recent designs, as connecting power tools to smartphones or tablets can enable data collection and statistical analysis, for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance purposes. GNSS/GPS as well as other suitable technologies, including LoRA or Sigfox protocols, can help geolocate power tools inside large construction areas and be used for anti-theft purposes. 

Our products and solutions for motor control

ST offers a wide range of motor control solutions to fit the large variety of motor types and power ratings found in power tools. Our offering includes an extensive range of 32-bit microcontrollers equipped with a set of hardware peripherals and software development tools, including System-in-Package (SiP) solutions featuring an STM32 microcontroller and a monolithic 3-phases driver (STSPIN32 family), which are ideal for space-constrained tools such as hand-held drills. Our range of power discrete solutions, such as IGBTs, thyristors, and power MOSFETs available in several types of packages, including power modules and intelligent power modules, can contribute to making power tools lighter and more energy-efficient. In addition, our broad range of inertial and environmental MEMS sensors can also make power tools smarter and more connected.