Blank Cartridges: RWS Technology

Propellant cartridges are used in dynamic devices in which something is moved by means of gas pressure. These are mainly blank cartridges whereby the case of the propellant tank, the powder charge and the primer charge or primer cap is the igniter. The propellant charge is converted into gas in order to move a pin within a pressured chamber. The pin in turn moves or activates another part. In addition to the described cartridges for direct fastening or animal stunning there are also special cartridges for activating ejection seats or defusing explosives. In all applications RWS works closely with system manufacturers and with its pyrotechnical knowhow is able to meet varied requirements.

The idea of using the speed and power of ammunition technologies for fast and repetitive fastening processes was first implemented during the Second World War. With the help of powder actuated tools a lot of damaged ships could be repaired much more efficiently than by welding or drilling. A market success of modern pyrotechnical fastening was achieved by the brothers Martin and Eugen Hilti from the Principality of Liechtenstein. In 1953 they launched the first fastening tool shortly after the invention of a pneumatic nail gun in the USA. RWS produces propellants for modern powder actuated tools. These are mainly blank cartridges, which generate a gas pressure in the main device and are used as the actuator. In the fastening tool the blank cartridges activate the thrust of the piston, which drives the respective fastening element, normally a nail, into the specified position with an exact amount of energy. These cartridges from RWS enable direct fastening in just one step. Previously this process required three individual operations of boring a hole, inserting a dowel and tapping a screw.

At the beginning of the last century the stunning of cattle using a bolt stunner has enabled the humane slaughtering of livestock and still remains the most humane method of stunning today. The increased number of abattoirs has introduced more efficient, if questionable, stunning methods. Therefore, today, cartridge operated bolt stunning tools are predominantly used in small and medium sized slaughter houses. RWS works closely with bolt stunner manufacturers to ensure the cartridges are best suited to the tools.