With press fittings gaining interest across the industry, PHPI speaks with Christian Kemper, Head of Marketing, Novopress, to discover more about pressing and the company’s ACO103 press tool.
Q Why are plumbers considering press fittings instead of other pipe jointing methods?
Press fittings have become the preferred choice for many plumbers and heating engineers because they offer a fast, reliable and flame-free alternative to traditional soldering or compression fittings. A single press cycle takes just a few seconds, significantly reducing installation time – particularly on larger projects. Without the need for open flames, press fittings also eliminate fire risks on site, making them safer for working in occupied buildings or near sensitive materials.
The consistent, tool-verified connection also removes the element of human error associated with manual jointing techniques, giving plumbers and building owners greater confidence in the integrity of every joint.
Q What factors should plumbers look out for when considering the type of press tool to invest in.
There are several key considerations when choosing a press tool. First, compatibility – the tool should support the pipe materials and diameter ranges relevant to the plumber’s typical workload, whether that’s multilayer, copper or stainless steel systems.
Second, ergonomics and weight matter greatly on longer jobs or in confined spaces; a lighter, more compact tool reduces fatigue and improves access.
Third, battery performance and charge time are important for productivity on site.
Plumbers should also consider the availability of jaw and ring accessories, the ease of swapping between them, and whether the tool offers digital features such as app connectivity, press logging or maintenance alerts – all of which are increasingly valuable for documentation and quality assurance on commercial projects.
Q Accessing tight spaces is required in many installations. How does the ACO103 press tool help?
The ACO103 has been specifically designed with confined spaces in mind. Its compact and lightweight build allows it to be manoeuvred easily. It handles pipe diameters up to 40mm in multilayer systems and up to 35mm in metal pipe systems.
When combined with Novopress pivoting rings, the ACO103 can press at virtually any angle, making it ideal for working behind panels, in ceiling voids, or in plant rooms where space is severely restricted. It is consistently one of the best-selling tools in the Novopress range.
Q How is the unit powered and how many press cycles can be completed on a single charge?
The ACO103 is powered by the Milwaukee M12 battery system, offering plumbers the flexibility to use any Milwaukee M12 battery capacity available on the market – making it easy to integrate into an existing tool setup.
With a power consumption of 240W, the tool delivers up to 250 press cycles on a single charge, depending on the pipe material, dimension and battery capacity used. Should the battery run low, charging takes between 45 and 75 minutes depending on the battery capacity, ensuring minimal downtime on site.
Q What are the other benefits of the ACO103?
Beyond its performance in tight spaces, the ACO103 offers a number of additional advantages that make it a versatile choice for everyday installation work. Its compatibility with the full range of Novopress press jaws, pivoting rings and press slings means plumbers can tackle a wide variety of applications with a single tool. The tool’s robust construction is built to withstand the demands of the job site, while its intuitive operation keeps training requirements to a minimum.
The ACO103 is also part of the wider Novopress ecosystem, meaning it is fully supported by Novopress’s service network and authorised workshops across the UK and Europe.
Q What kind of a warranty is available?
Novopress offers comprehensive warranty and guarantee coverage across its product range. All new press tools, accessories and equipment are covered by the full statutory warranty of 24 months from the date of delivery. Batteries and chargers are covered for 12 months from the date of purchase.
In addition, Novopress provides extended guarantee options for customers who commit to regular servicing. Press tools, press jaws with intermediate jaws and press slings that are serviced at least once every 12 months at Novopress or an authorised service centre qualify for a one-year extended guarantee beyond the statutory period. For press jaws, interchangeable jaws and press inserts, this extended guarantee increases to three years, again subject to annual servicing at an authorised workshop.
Image: Novopress
