Battery enables cordless use of formally corded products.
Press Release Summary:
Containing no cadmium, V28(TM) lithium ion battery has built-in fuel gauge that tells users how much run time is available. Equipped with built-in Performance Optimizing Circuit, product provides consistent, fade-free power throughout discharge cycle to ensure job power consistency through to last job. Battery operates at peak performance under extreme conditions, such as hot or cold temperatures or battery heating due to heavy use.
Original Press Release:
Technology Offers Unequaled Power and Run Time without Added Weight
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation announces the introduction of V28(TM) lithium ion battery technology after nine years of research and development. A revolution in the cordless tool category, the 28 volt battery delivers increased power and up to twice the run time of traditional 18 volt models, yet the battery weighs slightly less. This breakthrough technology allows Milwaukee to introduce new tools like the world's first cordless band saw powerful enough for every day professional use. The V28 line of tools also includes a hammer-drill, circular saw, Sawzall® reciprocating saw, impact wrench, work light and battery charger.
While Milwaukee's V28 line marks a significant advance for cordless tools, the battery itself, as well as the revolutionary charging system, represents a technological breakthrough. Never before has lithium ion, a platform most popular for its use in cell phones and digital cameras, been perfected for high current draw applications. In the power tool category and beyond, V28 technology opens the potential for formerly "corded" products to go cordless.
"For years professional tradespeople have demanded cordless power that performed like a corded product. Until now, the technology hasn't existed to make that possible," notes Joseph Smith, vice president of marketing at Milwaukee Electric Tool. "With V28 battery technology, we feel confident in saying that nearly 40 years after the initial development of cordless tools, cordless power is finally beginning to fulfill its original promise."
Offering increased power and up to twice the run time of traditional 18 volt tools, V28 technology allows tradespeople to be more productive and efficient with each charge. A built-in fuel gauge tells users how much run time is available, while consistent, fade-free power throughout the discharge cycle ensures the last job is as powerful as the first. Both of these features are unique to Milwaukee's exclusive cordless technology and ensure that tradespeople won't "get stuck" in the middle of a job as power fades or, grab a battery with only a small amount of power remaining and need to recharge while on a roof. Milwaukee's V28 technology has numerous patents pending.
The composition of the V28 battery contains no cadmium, making it more eco-friendly than other high powered rechargeable batteries currently used in power tools and, therefore, does not have to be recycled in many states; Milwaukee encourages the recycling of all rechargeable battery packs. Due to its chemistry and patented, built-in Performance Optimizing Circuit, V28 batteries operate at peak performance under extreme conditions such as hot or cold temperatures or battery heating due to heavy use. These are performance problems that users encounter in today's NiCad and NiMH batteries.
Products in the V28 line will be available individually or in a combo kit. All V28 tools are backed by Milwaukee's five-year warranty, the longest in the industry, while the new V28 batteries feature a two-year warranty. This effectively doubles the warranty period for most users who are used to only a one year warranty on their batteries. Because the V28 "smart batteries" internally record the first date of product use, another category first, warranty claims are much more easily validated. In addition, valuable data about each battery's usage pattern is also retrievable, which will allow Milwaukee to improve future tool/battery designs. The V28 product offering will be continually increasing with the introduction of a new rotary hammer and job site radio in the future.
The V28 line will be available at participating Milwaukee Electric Tool distributors nationwide in the second quarter of 2005.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation is a leading producer and seller of heavy-duty portable electric tools and accessories. More information is available on the company's website at www.milwaukeetool.com.
