STATIC FORCE TEST - STRIKING TOOLS

Assembled hammers shall not break, loosen, or otherwise fail when subjected to the static force test (reference sketch to left). The following test procedure shall be used:

1) While the hammer head is locked securely in a test fixture with the striking face down and the handle extended in a horizontal plane, a static force shall be applied vertically at a point on the handle measuring 10 inches from the top of the hammer.
2) An exception shall be that the force be applied 9 inches from the top of the hammer for small 2 ounce ball peen hammers.
3) The testing loads and bending forces are dependant on the head weight and are shown on the chart to the right. Handles shall not break, loosen, or otherwise fail.

It is not uncommon for Nuplaglas striking tool handles to exceed 500# in this test!

Above: Yellow handle is being pulled downward
while the sledge head is clamped to a digital
load cell to show the force needed to separate
handle from head.

TENSILE FORCE TEST - STRIKING TOOLS

Prior to tensile force testing, sample hammers shall be subjected to the following striking force test:

1) The tool shall withstand 20 swinging blows on each striking face at a velocity of 45-55 feet per second (approximated by a person of average build, 160-180 pounds). This velocity shall be achieved with the hammer held or fixtured at the normal gripping area.
2) The test shall be conducted at room temperature.
3) The blows shall be struck against a smooth, flat, or slightly convex surface of a rigidly supported steel object that has a minimum diameter of 3 inches, a minimum length of 2 inches, and a hardness of 92-105 HRB or equivalent.
4) The striking faces shall not sink, mushroom, chip, crack, or spall.

Following the striking test, the head and handle shall not loosen or separate when subjected to tensile force testing (reference photo to left). The hammers shall be tested using the static tensile forces for chemically bonded (Nuplabond®) assemblies or one-piece hammers and those specified for wedged (Mech/Loc®) assemblies, reference the charts to the right. Handles shall not break, loosen, or otherwise fail.

In nearly all cases, striking tools assembled using Nuplabond® easily exceed 3,000# and, with some assemblies, have gone well over 10,000#!

STATIC FORCE TEST - DIGGING TOOLS

Although the USA Federal Specifications are now obsolete for digging tools, Nupla continues to test digging tools using the static force test called out in #GGG-S-326E.

The blade shall be securely clamped to a fixture (reference sketch below). A 175 pound weight shall be gradually applied to the handle at 26-28 inches from the step. The handle shall securely hold the load for 120-125 seconds. The tool fails if the handle or blade fractures, breaks, or maintains a permanent deflection of more than 1 inch.

The shovel is also tested in the upside down position and is expected to perform to the same standards.

It is not uncommon for Nuplaglas digging tool handles to exceed 250# in this test!

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.

Ergo Power® is the trademarked name Nupla uses to describe their ergonomic handles that feature a combination of an injection molded outer polypropylene sleeve over a Nuplaglas® core. In extreme use conditions, the external sleeve will contain any possible fracture of the internal Nuplaglas® core and create a 'fail-safe failure' within the handle. This prevents potential user injuries as in the case of failure of other materials like wood. The Ergo Power® long and short D-grip handles have a smaller radius at the bottom to very comfortably rest in the user's palm and has tapered flat sides for improved control.

The Power Pylon®, one of Nupla’s revolutionary patented innovations, is designed for digging tools and sets upgraded standards to which all competitive products strive to match. The technology features a molded engineering composite structure that is re-inforced with fiberglass to produce an integral fusion of Nuplaglas® handle and digging tool blade. This is a design derived from aerospace applications which eliminates the 'weak link' rivet connection that is also used in traditional shovels. It is this unique design which balances the performance of blade and handle, maximizing the load-bearing strength of the tool. Power Pylon® tools are better balanced and weigh less than similar tools. The Power Pylon® handle is one integral unit including Power Pylon®, handle, and grip. The design of an uninterrupted handle shaft provides dielectric safety in preventing the hand from sliding to the blade. The handle is bolted to the blade with hardened steel bolts secured by all temperature nylon locking threads.

Power Pylon® Blade-to-Handle Adapter

This is the design used in the manufacture of digging tool handles and features a hollow core construction with sections of solid fiberglass at critical stress points for reduced tool weight and superior strength-to-weight ratio.