Most Technologically Advanced Tool Inventions

Heading into the 21^st Century, tool inventors are becoming more innovative thanks to the demands of the market. New tools are replacing old standbys, delivering on promises of lighter weight, easier operation, and compact design aesthetics. The need to build not only cheaply but also quickly has inspired inventors to develop tools and methods that were previously unimaginable, and the DIY ethic of 21^st Century civilization has highlighted the need for tools that solve problems. Some of these inventions are the result of applying existing technologies to new problems, and some are entirely new ideas.

3D Printing Construction is an exciting new possibility in the world of construction. In a recent presentation, Dr. Behrokh Khoshnevis, a University of Southern California engineering professor, showed a prototype 3D printer that he said may one day construct buildings in 20 hours. The printer extrudes a special composite fiber concrete to build a six-foot wall in layers. The accompanying computer animation showed what the entire process would most likely look like, complete with full scale walls, plumbing, and electrical wiring built into the plans. The professor explained that he first developed the idea while repairing cracks in his house after the 1994 Northridge earthquake; he wondered why there wasn’t yet a better, easier way to manage construction. Using his experience in rapid prototyping technologies, Dr. Khoshnevis’s first machines were capable of building small clay structures, with a CAD program dictating the design. Over time, he developed the technology from building small clay structures; he worked with a company to develop a special form of concrete that would support itself through the construction process, instead of requiring molds. The process also allows for what he calls contour crafting. He predicts industry-wide use of the technology by 2020, at a cost of a few hundred thousand dollars per machine, and by 2025, Dr. Khoshnevis believes that contour crafting will be nearly ubiquitous.

For those builders interested in improvements on the old-fashioned approaches, several new tools have recently been introduced; for example the Paslode TetraGrip Subfloor Fastening System. The product is a pneumatic coil nailing system—the nail features a barbed, threaded shaft which twists as it’s driven. The product essentially functions as a floor screw, but is installed as easily as a nail. The proprietary pneumatic nailer holds a coil of 120 fasteners.

Another important new innovation for building enthusiasts and professionals is the Bosch GTS1031 10 inch Worksite Table Saw. The distinction that this product carries is that it has a lightweight construction with a steel roll cage which not only allows it to survive harsh conditions at job sites, but also enables easy carrying of the table saw by hand, a first for the product type. The compact saw provides all of the features the user needs, but without bulk and weight.

These inventions and many more demonstrate that tool technology is becoming more and more important in the 21^st Century. Tool inventors should keep in mind that buyers are looking for tools that solve problems, such as making building and repairing quicker and easier, or taking care of issues such as limiting expenses. As more and more individuals become interested in DIY projects, making building and repair tools more consumer-friendly is another approach that inventors are taking.