Pneumatic or electric assembly tools: Which are cheaper?
The purchase price does not tell the whole story when choosing assembly tools. Energy consumption, operating time, maintenance, the production environment and existing infrastructure all have a significant impact on total costs. The cheapest option therefore depends on how and how often the tools will be used.
Compare the total costs
A pneumatic tool may have an attractive purchase price, but it requires access to a compressed air system. The costs therefore include not only the tool itself, but also the generation, treatment and distribution of compressed air.
An electric assembly tool does not require a compressor, pipework or air hoses. However, the costs of batteries, charging and any battery replacements must be included in the assessment.
The most accurate comparison is based on the tool’s total lifetime costs rather than its purchase price alone.
Advantages of pneumatic and electric tools
Pneumatic assembly tools are often well suited to fixed workstations and production environments where a stable compressed air supply is already available. The tools can be used continuously without charging breaks, but the operator is connected to the system via an air hose.
Electric and battery-powered tools offer greater freedom of movement and can be used at workstations without compressed air. This makes them a relevant option for flexible production lines, changing work locations and assembly tasks where air hoses are impractical.
The choice should also take into account the tool’s weight, ergonomics, performance and the specific assembly process.
Calculate the cost based on the specific task
Before choosing a technology, you should establish how the tool will be used. A tool with a low purchase price can become expensive to operate if its energy consumption is high or if the solution does not suit the workflow.
- Record the tool’s expected operating time
- Assess the number of assembly operations per day
- Check whether compressed air is already available at the workstation
- Include the compressor’s energy consumption and compressed air losses
- Calculate the costs of batteries, charging and replacement
- Compare servicing and maintenance requirements
- Assess the tool’s weight and the strain on the operator
- Examine the need for mobility and flexible workstations
- Include any production downtime and charging breaks
- Compare costs over the tool’s expected service life
By including both direct and indirect costs, you gain a better basis for choosing the cheapest solution for your specific production setup.and an overview of which instruments have passed inspection or are still awaiting it.
The cheapest tool depends on the production setup
Electric assembly tools can be an economically attractive option when the company does not already have an efficient compressed air supply or when mobility is required. This solution avoids the energy losses associated with generating and distributing compressed air.
Pneumatic tools can still be the most practical choice for fixed workstations, high utilisation rates and access to an existing compressed air system. In these settings, continuous operation and a simple tool design can be highly valuable.
There is therefore no single answer that applies to every business. The right solution should be chosen based on the assembly task, the production environment and the total costs over the tool’s lifetime.
Compressed air
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Brian Beck Faymonville
Sales Engineer
Teit From Løvstrøm
Product Manager