In response to changing demands in the metalworking industry, technology supplier Bosch South Africa last month extended its range of products for the professional finishing of stainless steel to include four new competitively priced power tools, Bosch Industrial Power Tools senior brand manager Craig Berridge tells Engineering News.

These new additions to the Bosch product line include the GRB 14 CE Professional pipe belt sander, the GEF 7 E Professional power file, the GSI 14 CE Professional burnisher and the GWS 15-125 Inox Professional angle grinder, which is a new angle grinder for finishing stainless steel.

“Each tool within the stainless steel range is designed with specific applications in mind,” says Berridge.

The 1 400 W GRB 14 CE Professional pipe belt sander has a no-load speed of 750 rpm to 3 000 rpm and weighs 3.65 kg.

“This pipe belt sander is highly effective in the sanding of pipes that vary in diameter and geometry. “The abrasive belt wraps up to 270° pipes and thus allows 360° pipe finishing to be achieved in just two stages,” he states.

The 720 W GEF 7 E Profes-sional power file has a no-load speed of between 2 800 rpm and 11 000 rpm and weighs 2 kg.

Berridge says the power file is a universal tool, which, owing to its slim line design, is ideal for working materials in tight or hard-to-reach areas such as corners and edges.

The power file has the slimmest grip circumference in its class and can be guided easily and precisely.

The 1 400 W GSI 14 CE Professional burnisher has a no-load speed of between 50 rpm and 3 000 rpm and weighs 3.4 kg.

It has a range of applications and is suitable for removing tarnishing, scratches and so-called mill scale and flaws, as well as for brushing, burnishing and structuring surfaces.

The 1 500 W GWS 15-125 Inox Professional angle grinder has a no-load speed of between 2 200 rpm and 7 500 rpm and weighs 2.4 kg.

He explains that the angle grinder is designed for sanding, cutting and deburring stainless steel pipes, surfaces and weld seams.

“The angle grinder’s low maximum speed of 7 500 rpm allows for the gentle working of materials and prevents tarnishing of stainless steel,” Berridge points out.

He adds that the angle grinder is highly powerful and efficient, owing to its
1 500 W motor, which delivers 50% more torque than standard angle grinders.

Dealing with Challenges

A significant challenge faced by the power tools industry is that consumers are increasingly looking for cheaper alternatives that may consequently compensate for high-quality workmanship, states Berridge.

In addition, there is also increasing demand for tools that are safer for the user – particularly in the metalworking and construction industries.

“These challenges have provided Bosch with the opportunity to continue as market leader in the production of innovative solutions for industry without compromising on quality and workmanship,” says Berridge.

Bosch continues to pride itself in the development of high-level user-safety-orientated technology, such as the Kick Back Stop feature in the company’s range of angle grinders, which detects when the tool is jammed and shuts it down immediately.

“The stainless steel range is manufactured internationally at a Bosch factory in Germany which adheres to strict manufacturing regulations to ensure a consistent level of quality in the tools it produces,” Berridge concludes.