Understanding Milwaukee New M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ Batteries
If you've been keeping up with the latest in power tools, you've probably heard about Milwaukee's 2024 Pipeline event. A standout highlight was the introduction of the new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ batteries, a technological advancement set to revolutionise your tool experience. If you missed the excitement of the Pipeline event, don't worry—I've got all the key details for you right here.
“This is a significant leap forward in capabilities for the M18™ system,” explained Andrew Lentz, Senior Vice President of Product Management for Milwaukee Tool
The M18 platform first arrived 16 years ago, in 2008. Since then, Milwaukee has remained committed to investing in their M18 platform as their core system. Cordless tool users spend a lot on batteries these days, and the company’s goal is to avoid forcing them into a new cordless system. With the last major release being the M18 High Output 12Ah battery back in 2018, it's time for Milwaukee to come up with new innovative solutions while sticking to the 18V limit.
In 2023, Milwaukee introduced the REDLITHIUM FORGE 6Ah Battery and Super Chargers, aiming to exceed expectations of cordless performance and productivity, significantly enhancing the M18 system. Now, Milwaukee takes it a step further with the new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 8Ah and M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 12Ah batteries. These latest additions promise to deliver the most power, fastest charging, and longest life among REDLITHIUM batteries, fully compatible with over 275 M18™ solutions.
“Through a ground-up redesign that combines new tabless cell technologies, upgraded pack construction, and improved power routing to deliver a step change in capability, these batteries are redefining cordless power,” explained Andrew Lentz. In this blog, we will explore Milwaukee's innovations in cell, pack, electronics, and charging technology for the M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ lineup and how these batteries will enhance job site productivity.
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The Introduction of 5-Tier M18™ Battery Power Scale
Milwaukee has taken a significant leap forward with the new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 8Ah and 12Ah batteries, enhancing the performance of the M18™ system for the most demanding applications. Milwaukee is now categorising their battery platforms into power levels, ranging from PWR1 to PWR5. As the PWR level increases, so does the expected tool performance.
The M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 12Ah, classified as a PWR5 battery, stands as the most powerful M18™ battery ever made. Compared to the M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT™ 12Ah, it delivers 50% more power. This new 12Ah battery is optimized for the toughest and longest-duration applications tackled by professional trades. With this battery’s elevated power level, users can experience faster application speeds and handle more challenging tasks than ever before.
The M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 8Ah, classified as a PWR4 battery, offers a perfect balance of size, weight, and performance. It delivers the power of an M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT™ 12Ah battery but is 20% smaller and 30% lighter. Even the FORGE™ 6Ah battery, although 30% smaller and 40% lighter, packs the same punch as an M18 HIGH OUTPUT™ 12Ah battery. This tiny but mighty battery truly redefines what's possible in a compact form.
Massive Improvement in Charging Time
The REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 6Ah is the fastest charging battery pack in its class on M18, reaching 80% charge in just 15 minutes (that’s basically enough runtime to complete over 500 cuts in 1 1/2 in. PVC with the Sawzall in 15 minutes of charging) and 100% in 25 minutes with the new M18 Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger. This lithium-ion battery offers the longest life, most recharges, and best performance over its lifespan.
The REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 8Ah and 12Ah can reach 80% charge in 35 minutes and 100% in 45 minutes with the same super charger. Notably, the FORGE™ 12Ah charges 25% faster than the current HIGH OUTPUT™ 12Ah model, offering a substantial improvement for users needing extended runtime.
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If you have the M18 Dual Bay Rapid Charger and plan to upgrade your batteries but not the charger just yet, the FORGE™ 6Ah will rapid-charge to 80% in 50 minutes and to 100% in 62 minutes. The FORGE™ 8Ah will rapid-charge to 80% in 67 minutes and to 100% in 83 minutes. The FORGE™ 12Ah will rapid-charge to 80% in 101 minutes and to 100% in 130 minutes.
Battery Cell Technologies
Battery cells and their technology significantly impact performance, and the M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ lineup optimises runtime, power output, lifespan, and heat production using multiple technologies. The M18 FORGE™ 6Ah battery, introduced last year, uses pouch-style Li-ion cells, while the M18 FORGE™ 8Ah and 12Ah batteries feature “tabless” cylindrical Li-ion cells and COOL-CYCLE™ high-speed cooling. You might recognise pouch cells from DeWalt's PowerStack battery, but what about “tabless”? Before diving into why this new cell design represents the future, let’s get back to the basics.
The most common battery cell types in power tools are 18650 and 21700 cells. The numbers denote cell size: 18650 cells measure 18mm in diameter by 65mm in length, and 21700 cells measure 21mm by 70mm. The larger 21700 cells have greater capacity and are used in more powerful tools, resulting in slightly larger battery packs. Milwaukee’s High Output batteries use 21700 cells, while others use 18650 cells.
These cells are constructed by layering long, thin sheets of anode (+) and cathode (-) material with a separator in between, then rolling them into a "jellyroll" to fit inside the cylindrical body. The anode and cathode have small tabs that pass power to the battery terminals. These small tabs create a bottleneck for current flow, increasing resistance and affecting thermal performance. In 21700 cells, electrons must travel up to 250 mm to reach the terminal.
Tabless batteries solve this issue by using laser-patterned anode and cathode foils with many tiny tabs along their length. When rolled up, these tabs form countless parallel current pathways, creating a larger contact area between the active material and the casing. This design shortens the electron path, allowing them to move directly to the terminal rather than taking a roundabout route to a single-tab connection. These new cells, therefore, have greater energy density, higher power output, less internal resistance, and less heat.
COOL-CYCLE™ Active Cooling System
The new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE™ 12Ah and 8Ah batteries are the first M18 batteries with COOL-CYCLE™ active cooling capability, which activates when paired with a COOL-CYCLE™ capable charger. This proprietary system delivers high-speed cooling, reducing downtime by managing battery temperatures in hot environments and demanding applications. COOL-CYCLE™ accelerates battery turnaround by cooling batteries quickly and keeping them cooler while they charge.
“Cool air is pushed through the pack and exits through vents at the back,” explained Jessica McCullough, Associate Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool. “We took an aggressive approach to venting, minimising the size of our electronic components to make space for vents built into the pack itself.”
Pairing M18 FORGE™ 12Ah and M18 FORGE™ 8Ah batteries with the M18 Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger allows users to experience significantly faster charge times and a more productive overall experience when managing hot batteries in back-to-back applications.
If you’re wondering why Milwaukee doesn’t use pouch cell technology for the higher capacity 8Ah and 12Ah batteries like they do for the 6Ah battery, it’s because tabless cells have better thermal dissipation and provide faster turnaround. FORGE™ is all about next-level battery technologies, not just pouch cells.
We don’t yet know what Milwaukee will reveal in the coming years, but we can expect major news. As Milwaukee stated earlier this year, “We’re just getting started.” The new three FORGE™ batteries might just be the beginning of the story.
See the latest from Milwaukee: Milwaukee® Tool Official Site
Check out what UK Planet Tools have in stock for Milwaukee fans: Milwaukee Tools For Sale | UK Planet Tools
Tabless is the new buzzword. Many other tool manufacturers have made a shift to this new battery cell technology in recent years. Check out this video to know more: UK Planet Tools | Tabless Battery Is The New Future
M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ 6AH
• Height: 3.1in
• Length: 5.1in
• Width: 3.3in
• Weight: 2.07lb
• Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
• Battery Amp Hour: 6Ah
• PWR Level: PWR4
• COOL-CYCLE™ Capable: No
• Recharge Time to 80%: 15 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Recharge Time to 100%: 25 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Resistant Housing: Yes
• Availability: Yes
M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ 12AH
• Height: 4.1in
• Length: 5.8in
• Width: 3.4in
• Weight: 3.3lbs
• Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
• Battery Amp Hour: 12Ah
• PWR Level: PWR5
• COOL-CYCLE™ Capable: Yes
• Recharge Time to 80%: 35 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Recharge Time to 100%: 45 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Resistant Housing: Yes
• Availability: End of August 2024 for the UK
M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ 8AH
• Height: 3.5in
• Length: 5.3in
• Width: 3.4in
• Weight: 2.38lbs
• Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
• Battery Amp Hour: 8Ah
• PWR Level: PWR4
• COOL-CYCLE™ Capable: Yes
• Recharge Time to 80%: 35 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Recharge Time to 100%: 45 minutes (w/ M18™ Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger)
• Resistant Housing: Yes
• Availability: End of August 2024 for the UK
