Technical Information & Support

Nupla is committed to making the strongest, safest, and most ergonomic tools in the industry. Ergonomics is another word for Human Engineering, i.e., the study of the relationship between humans and machines in terms of physiological and technological requirements. This description is synonymous with Nupla's approach to developing its Ergo Power® striking and digging tool lines as well as its soft face lines of striking tools. In designing these tools, Nupla adopted the theory of 'Commercial Ergonomics' which emphasizes greater comfort and reduced user fatigue. Over the centuries, wood handled tools did not address the issue of ergonomics as wood handle manufacturers maximized available wood. Since they were unable to cut wood into ergonomic shapes, manufacturers combined wood handles with grips of various materials, such as foam, in their efforts to make an ergonomic tool.

Nupla's Ergo Power® digging tools, designed to fit the user's hands, feature the combination of an injection molded outer polypropylene sleeve over a Nuplaglas® core. The comfortable handle shape increases tool efficiency by eliminating unnecessary movement, such as the twisting motion required by an unbalanced shovel load. With improved hand control, this unique handle design also reduces forearm fatigue and blistering of the hands. Nupla's Ergo Power® striking tools, which feature the same manufacturing technology, reduce arm vibration and thus user fatigue. The harmonics or 'shock load' while striking is absorbed by the molded polypropylene shell which acts as a natural shock absorber.

Nupla designed and patented its Smart Hammer Technology® to make the most ergonomic dead blow, non-marring striking tools in the industry. The Power Drive® tool line, which features Smart Hammer Technology® , offers 69 tools including non-sparking, and is based on the OSHA concept of reducing musculoskeletal injuries involving repetitive striking motions. The dead blow feature of Power Drive® hammers, which is achieved by means of free-flowing shot contained in the molded tool head cavities, not only reduces vibration and sting but also increases driving force by 40% requiring less striking effort. Non-marring and non-sparking features further enhance the tool line.

Nupla Classic® fiberglass handled digging and striking tools feature many styles of soft, comfortable, and ergonomic grips suitable for most applications. The variety of grip styles designed for a better fit, alleviate the gripping effort and 'squeeze' even in moist or humid conditions.

Safety, a key factor in the design of all Nupla products, can also be described as 'freedom from danger, risk, or injury'. Nupla products use the finest raw materials and combine pultruded fiberglass, engineered polymers, adhesives and epoxy bonding methods developed over decades to produce tools that far exceed all ANSI and Federal specifications. These features help to prevent catastrophic tool failures, even under extreme conditions, thus minimizing the possibility of injury. For example, tests of Nupla's Ergo Power® digging tools have proven that the external engineered polymer sleeve will contain any fracture of the internal fiberglass core and prevent user injury. This same feature enhances the safety of Nupla's Ergo Power® striking tools. The polymer sleeves around the fiberglass handles of these tools will contain any fracture of the Nuplaglas® and prevent separation of the handle from the striking head. The Ergo Power® feature is also available in Nupla's Power Pylon® shovel line.