NASCAR technicians know something about mechanics' tools, which is why Ingersoll Rand, Annandale, N.J., tapped them for feedback on the design of its IQV cordless impact wrench.
IQv impact wrench
IQv cordless impact wrenches from Ingersoll Rand develop roughly 360 ft-lb of torque and can remove about 120 bolts tightened to 200 ft-lb of torque in a single charge. Most NASCAR teams use the company's Thundergun pneumatic impact wrench for tire changes during pit stops.
After using prototypes of the wrenches for a few weeks, technicians with Evernham Motorsports, Statesville, N.C., suggested adding an extended anvil for hard-to-reach bolts. They also wanted a battery-charge-level meter.
Armed with this information, IR engineers expedited development of an extended-anvil option. Feedback on the charge meter led to making it a standard feature on all lithium-ion batteries.
