Festool is launching its new AIRSTREAM battery technology, which it says will reduce charging times by up to 60%, on April 3^rd. The new AIRSTREAM charging system pulls cooled air through the air intakes of the battery pack and channels airflow through the cells and into the charger while heat from both the battery and charger are exhausted to the side. Though the AIRSTREAM system is comprised of a newly designed, air-cooled charger and 18 V battery line, with up to 6.2 Ah capacity for Festool’s entire line of 18 V power tools and products, the new chargers can also charge Festool’s existing Li-ion battery packs. 
“While many manufacturers are only focusing on bigger battery capacities, which require longer recharge times, we are focusing on greater capacity and reduced charging times” says Leo Zirkler, Vice President of Marketing. “The new Airstream charging system not only has a higher capacity battery available (6.2 Ah), it also provides a huge reduction – up to 60% – in charging time.”    
Whether on the jobsite or in the shop, today’s high-demand cordless tools can drain batteries very quickly.  As battery capacities have increased over the years, so has the charge time.  This leads to prolonged downtime waiting for batteries to be ready again. This problem is further compounded when batteries get overheated as most chargers can’t charge a hot battery without the risk of damage.  The Airstream charger not only provides a higher charging current (8 amps), but also a unique cooling system that reduces cooling time while providing faster recharge time.  Overall this leads to a time savings of over 60 percent. 
The revamped 18 volt platform includes AIRSTREAM Charger SCA 8 and 5.2 Ah and 6.2 Ah batteries.  In addition, a 6 amp charger (TCL 6) and a compact 18 volt battery (3.1 Ah) are also available.  Either new charger is backwards compatible for previous generation Lithium Ion battery packs. 
Benefits and features of the new AIRSTREAM technology include: 
Faster – Re-charge with less down time. AIRSTREAM batteries with the new SCA 8 charger re-charge 60% faster than previous charging technology (TCL 3 charger). And, batteries equipped with AIRSTREAM design cool down 3X faster than non-equipped versions so the charging process can begin sooner, helping craftsmen get back to work more quickly. 
Easier – Onboard electronics of the SCA 8 charger feature a countdown timer so users know when the batteries are ready for use and LED battery level indicators on the batteries display remaining capacity. 
Smarter – Internal dedicated cooling duct helps to quickly evacuate hot air in exchange for cool air providing a faster cool-down time for less waiting and also faster charging without risk of cell damage. 
The new AIRSTREAM chargers and batteries will be available April 3, 2017. 
For more information, please go to Festool USA or Festool Canada  
About Festool
Founded in Germany in 1925, Festool is known for its innovative, precision-engineered power tool solutions.  Based in Lebanon, IN, Festool USA offers a comprehensive lineup of power tools and system accessories, designed to boost productivity through efficiency and high performance. For more information, visit www.festoolusa.com or www.festoolcanada.com.