Hardware tools have made life easy. By using these simple structures, they can provide the engineering abilities to manipulate a work piece and transform it into a final product. Apart from that, these tools have had a huge evolutionary effect on humans. Early tools were very basic and were used for holding and throwing. With the increased usage of tools humans developed what is known as opposable thumbs. Anatomically opposable thumbs are structural changes of the hand where the thumb is opposite to rest of the hand. It is believed that this evolutionary change was because of the use of tools over time. The usage of tools also correlated to the accelerated increase in the intelligence of humans. Use of tools made it easier for humans to find food and protect themselves. Through tools, humans could become the king of the world.
The earliest tools found to date are known as Oldowan tools, were found is Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. They were discovered in 1930s by Louis Leakey. These tools were used approximately 2.6million years ago.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are used to remove a particular part of the original work piece. They are of two types: linear cutting tools and rotary cutting tools. An example of a cutting tool includes tool bits, broaches, drill bits, milling cutters, and reamers. A band saw blade is a combination of the two types of cutting tools. The material of the cutter is harder than the material of the work piece. The main materials used for cutting include: Carbon steel, High speed steel (HSS), HSS cobalt, Cast cobalt alloys, Cemented carbide, Ceramics, Cermets, Cubic boron nitride (CBN) and Diamond.
- Cutting Tool Materials (PDF)
- Manufacturing Tooling Cutting Tool Design (PDF)
- Machining - Cutting Tools (PDF)
- Cutting Tool Wear-Mechanisms (PDF)
- Spiral Cutting Tool (PDF)
Moving Tools
As the name suggests these tools move things. They are of two types: concentrating force tools and torque producing tools. Using a hammer to hammer in a nail is an example of a concentrating force. A screw driver rotating a nail is an example of a torque producing tool. Trucks and accelerators also use moving tools (shaft) and bring about movement using both concentrating and torque forces. Examples include hammers, mauls, screwdrivers, pliers, gloves and wrenches.
- A Z-map update method for linearly moving tools (PDF)
- Moving Logs: Moving Tools
- Drill String
- Portable Machine Tools (PDF)
- Tools & Technology for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Tools That Enact Chemical Changes
These tools impart changes to chemical properties to the materials of the work pieces. These tools are used to melt metals to fuse to work pieces. They are used to bake work pieces to strengthen them as well as ignite fuel and raise temperatures. These tools can also be used to purify work piece materials from impurities or oxidize the work piece material.
- Kind of Lighters (PPT)
- Zippo Lighters
- Lower Paleolithic Stone Tool Technologies
- Machining Operations And Machine Tools (PDF)
- Powder Actuated Tools (PDF)
Guiding, Measuring, Perception Tools
These tools are used to observe, measure and manipulate the size and shape of the work pieces. This includes: rulers, set squares, microscopes, sensors, etc. They can measure height, weight, temperature, pressure, luminosity, refractivity, transparency and many other parameters related to the properties of the work piece. They are used to control the methods of production and precisely manipulate them. They are the most important tools as they provide accuracy and scalability to the work piece production.
- Instrumentation and Measurement (PDF)
- Finding Measurement Tools
- Measuring Sense (PDF)
- Marking and Measuring (PDF)
Shaping Tools
Shaping tools are used to provide shapes to the work piece. A jig is a tool which is used to produce replicas. It acts as a reference or control for the work piece. A trowel is used to dig and shape a hole, mix plasters or apply ceramics. A mold is used as a cast to produce work pieces of exact structures and size. The mold holds the work piece material mixture till it dries and hardens to provide an intact work piece.
- Machining (PDF)
- Lathe
- Drywall Tools Equipment (PDF)
- Machining Operations
Fastening Tools
Fastening tools are used to stick two work pieces. Some of those types of tools are nail pins, clips, glue guns, adhesives, etc. They are of two types: sticking tools and holding tools. Adhesives, glue sticks, sticking tapes, welders are all kinds of sticking tools. Nail pins, staplers, holders, clips are all kinds of holding tools.
Information and Data Manipulation Tools
Information and data manipulation tools is the one segment which has turned into one of the biggest industries of the world. Abacus was the first mathematical tool used for counting. Through the years, the segment has innovated and produced most complex tools. In the last four to five decades, these tools have metamorphosized into abstract structures (software like excel, spreadsheet, etc).
- Types Of Information Systems (PDF)
- Current Auditing Computerized Tools (PDF)
- Databases And Data Warehouses (PDF)
- Cyberinfrastructure (PDF)
- Spreadsheets And Other Tools
Safety Tools
Safety tools are designed to provide protection against any risks that might occur during construction or manufacturing. They are made of strong, non magnetic, corrosion resistant materials for high durability. Specially made spark resistant tools are developed to provide low-cost protection. Common materials used for such equipments include aluminum bronze alloy.