The hardware and tools industry has a long history of both tradition and emergence. Before the birth of power tools, the history of tools was the history of hand tools. The oldest tools known to man date back 3.3 million years. Early hand tools were made from materials such as antler, ivory, animal bones, stone and volcanic glass. From the Stone Age, through the Bronze Age, to the Iron Age, developments in metallurgy revolutionized the materials used to make tools, making them increasingly robust and durable. The Romans developed tools similar to modern ones during this period. Since the Industrial Revolution, tool manufacturing has changed from artisanal to factory production. Along with the socio-economic development, technological progress and changes in the demand for use, hardware tools have evolved in terms of design, material, technology, application areas, etc. The manufacture of hardware tools has become increasingly specialized and the categories have become more and more diversified.
The main development trend of hand tools is multifunctionality, ergonomic design improvement and the use of new materials.
Multifunctionality: Many companies in the market are developing multifunctional “all-in-one” tools. Many hand tool products are sold as kits (tool bags, which can also include power tools) to meet the diversified needs of consumers. Multifunctional tools reduce the number of tools, size and weight of a tool kit by replacing single-function tools, making them easier to maintain. On the other hand, through innovative combinations and designs, they can simplify labor, make handling easier and achieve better results in certain situations. Ÿ
Ergonomic Design Improvements: Leading hand tool companies are working to improve the ergonomic design of hand tools, including making them lighter in weight, enhancing the grip of dampened handles, and improving hand comfort. For example, Irwin Vise-grip previously released a long-nosed pliers with wire-cutting capability that reduces hand span by 20 percent, which aids in better control and reduces hand fatigue.
Use of new materials: As technology advances and the new materials industry continues to grow, hand tool manufacturers can use different materials as well as new materials to develop tools with better performance and durability, and new materials are a major future trend for hand tools.
Post time: Jan-17-2024