When the team at Baffinland started planning an expanded rail link over the Arctic tundra, nearly 100km away, the company needed tough tools to get the job done - so the team turned to RAD Torque Systems.
Linking Baffinland’s River Mary mine to the Sealift facility meant the company needed to acquire more torque wrenches that could withstand the extreme cold temperatures. The new facility sits about 1,500km inside the Arctic Circle reaching an average winter temperature of -35C. It’s so cold that the extreme weather only allows for 90 days of ice-free shipping every year.
Typically, pneumatic tools are the primary choice for work done in these sub-zero temperatures. However, in these extreme situations, air tools freeze up and workers cannot run alcohol through the lines to keep them from doing so.
Having used RAD Torque battery tools in the past, Baffinland knew that the B-RAD and DB-RAD would be perfect for the extreme conditions. In particular, the Digital B-RAD 3000–2 has become the service tool of choice for both mine operations as well as fleet maintenance. RAD battery tools exhibit the latest lithium-ion 18V battery technology.
A large shipment of RAD’s B-RAD and DB-RAD tool is expected to arrive in August to begin the rail line construction. Then the mine crew will have to act fast, as they will only have 90 days to build the expansion before everything freezes up again.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
