Power tools such as electric drills, breakers, screwdrivers, and cutters are indispensable in the construction industry. Their performance and efficiency are crucial to the daily work and productivity of workers, as well as the overall quality and safety of construction sites and projects. With the swift progress of software and digital technology, the industry is proactively embracing innovative solutions to tackle industry challenges and elevate work standards. Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) visited Hilti (Hong Kong) and engaged in insightful discussions with company representatives and frontline staff to understand how they are enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the construction industry through innovation and digitalisation.
Design for Safety: Worker Safety First
Ir Michael LEUNG, General Manager of Hilti (Hong Kong) Limited, emphasised the need for the construction industry to broaden its perspective beyond design and construction, placing equal attention on the safety and lifecycle management for everyday tools. As sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud storage technologies mature, traditional manual tools are gradually being replaced by digital tools. Each digital power tool integrates a smart control system that can monitor its operational status, prevent accidents, and provide real-time feedback. Furthermore, some tools offer data logging and analysis functions, enabling objective and accurate monitoring and assessment of work efficiency and quality.
Ir LEUNG highlighted the company's globally launched NURON wireless tool platform, which demonstrates how innovative digital platforms and data can be utilised to optimise tool performance and safety. Hilti emphasises "design for safety," where tool design prioritises worker safety. To provide workers with more comfortable and safer everyday tools, the company has greatly improved performance through research and development. This includes reducing the weight of tools for easier handling, employing cordless designs for convenient access to construction sites, incorporating active vibration reduction technology to minimise vibrations transmitted to the user, and implementing active torque control technology to prevent injuries caused by drill bit jamming or tool recoil. CIC representatives joined Hilti team to demonstrate the performance of these tools in practical operations.
High-Quality Premium Tool Pool to Drive Efficiency and Reduce Waste
Ir LEUNG further explained how to utilise data to establish a high-quality Premium Tool Pool: When returned tools are brought to the Tool Service Center, technicians first connect them to the digital system. The system possesses advanced data retrieval capabilities, enabling the extraction of critical data from the tools, including their service life and condition. Technicians can make more accurate and objective decisions on whether repairs, component replacements, or tool obsolescence are necessary based on these parameters. Additionally, the system can record and track the inspection and analysis results for each tool, establishing a comprehensive tool database. For tools that cannot be reused, technicians dismantle them, separating recyclable spare parts and materials. These spare parts are recycled and reused to repair other tools of the same model.
Contractors can borrow tools on a short-term basis according to their actual project needs, saving costs and avoiding issues associated with purchasing tools with low utilisation rates or meant for specific tasks only. In terms of reducing carbon emissions, Ir LEUNG cited the example of Kai Tak Sports Park, where 50% of contractors used the company's tool rental and sharing platform, with approximately 1,800 tools being utilised. Additionally, Hilti also provides data and indicators through the Circularity Report, allowing users to understand their contribution to the environment when they lease and share. Currently, 500 companies are using this report.
Hilti shared collaborative projects with the Architectural Services Department, comparing and analysing data between different levels of using MiMEP and traditional methods. This evaluation aimed to assess the advantages of MiMEP in terms of construction efficiency and cost, as well as how hardware and software integration supports real-time feedback and adjustments. Moreover, the company is able to calculate the reduction in carbon emissions achieved by using MiMEP compared to traditional methods.
Chairman HO praised the efforts of young practitioners, recognising their ideas and contributions in promoting the digitalisation of the industry. He emphasised the need for further application cases and practical experience to drive progress, continuing to leverage innovative technology to elevate the industry's standards.
