Что такое CAS (Cordless Alliance System)? Руководство для служб промышленного техобслуживания

The CAS — Cordless Alliance System — is a multi-brand battery platform in which one 18 V battery pack powers tools from many manufacturers. Founded in 2018 and based on Metabo battery technology, the alliance today lists more than 50 brands and over 500 tools across construction, industry, trades and specialist applications. MontiPower®’s Ultimate cordless surface preparation tools are part of the CAS ecosystem: the same 18 V pack that runs a Metabo grinder or drill also powers the Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless, the MBX® Cordless and the Vinyl Zapper® Ultimate — directly, without adapters.

For industrial maintenance operations that already carry CAS batteries on site, this is a significant practical change. It removes the need for a dedicated battery supply chain for surface preparation tools and integrates MontiPower equipment into an existing cordless platform. This guide explains how CAS works, how it compares with AMPShare, what it means for ATEX work, and which MontiPower tools use it.

What CAS means: one battery, many tools, many brands

Most power tool battery systems are proprietary: a battery from Brand A will not fit tools from Brand B. This has historically forced maintenance teams, contractors and facility operators to manage multiple battery types, chargers and spare inventories — one per tool brand in use.

CAS breaks this model. All CAS tools share a common 18 V platform with a common battery interface. A battery bought with a Metabo drill can be used directly in a MontiPower Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless, a Mafell saw or any other CAS tool, and CAS chargers charge packs regardless of which brand’s tool they came with.

The alliance has grown steadily since 2018 and now lists more than 50 brands. The breadth of the platform — from specialist surface preparation through general construction — means that for operations already running CAS tools, adding a MontiPower Ultimate machine requires no new battery infrastructure.

How CAS works technically

CAS batteries are 18 V lithium-ion packs built on Metabo battery technology, including the high-performance LiHD packs in capacities up to 10.0 Ah. High-capacity packs are designed for high-drain applications — tools that draw significant current under load — which is directly relevant to surface preparation equipment such as the Bristle Blaster® and MBX®, both of which work against continuous mechanical resistance.

The packs include a capacity indicator and battery electronics that protect the cells against overload and overheating. Charging is done with CAS chargers, which are interchangeable across the participating brands.

For industrial surface preparation, MontiPower recommends the 18 V / 8.0 Ah pack for maximum runtime: on the Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless it gives approximately 25 minutes of surface preparation time per charge, and on the MBX® Cordless up to about 0.5 m² per charge. A 5.5 Ah pack is the lighter option for work at height or in confined access, and a 10.0 Ah pack is available within the CAS platform for the longest runtime. On long shifts, plan for spare charged packs.

CAS in North America: how it fits alongside other battery platforms

North American industrial operations typically encounter two multi-brand cordless platforms: CAS and AMPShare. AMPShare is a competing multi-brand 18 V alliance anchored by Bosch; it launched in Europe in 2022 and in the US and Canada in May 2023. The two systems are not cross-compatible, and some manufacturers — Rothenberger, for example — offer tools for both.

For operations already standardized on Metabo or other CAS brands, the choice is straightforward: CAS batteries already on site power MontiPower Ultimate tools directly. For operations evaluating which cordless platform to standardize on, the decision depends on which other tools are in use and which specialist tools each platform offers. A detailed comparison is covered in CAS vs AMPShare for industrial maintenance.

CAS and ATEX: two separate questions

In ATEX and hazardous-area environments — common in offshore, refinery and petrochemical maintenance — the tool itself, not the battery platform, must be evaluated for explosion protection. Within the MontiPower range, the Bristle Blaster® Pneumatic has undergone an independent ignition-hazard analysis and ATEX 2014/34/EU evaluation as Category 2 equipment for zone 1 explosive gas (group IIA) and zone 21 explosive dust (IIIC). It is fully pneumatic, with no electrical parts, and is the appropriate choice in classified areas. The cordless Ultimate tools run on CAS batteries and are suited to general industrial environments; they are not ATEX-rated. CAS compatibility and ATEX evaluation are independent attributes that must be checked separately for each tool.

Why battery platform matters for surface preparation specifically

Surface preparation in maintenance environments — offshore platforms, refineries, shipyards, bridges and industrial structures — frequently involves locations without reliable power: elevated structures, confined spaces, remote pipeline sections, or live facilities where running power cables creates logistics and safety complications. Cordless surface preparation has been technically possible for years, but battery management has been the limitation: dedicated packs, specialized chargers, separate inventory.

CAS changes the logistics of cordless surface preparation. When a maintenance team carries CAS batteries for its primary tools, the same packs fit MontiPower Ultimate equipment. Swapping batteries between a drill, a grinder and a Bristle Blaster® without managing separate inventories is a meaningful simplification, particularly where tool staging and battery rotation are already part of work planning. For an overview of the cordless line, see cordless surface preparation on CAS.

MontiPower and CAS: which tools are available

MontiPower’s three Ultimate cordless tools are all CAS-compatible:

• Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless — rotary impact surface preparation tool, 2,200 rpm, with safety switch and anti-vibration handle. In documented tests on standard steel it produces cleanliness comparable to ISO 8501-1 Sa 2½ / SSPC-SP 10 and an anchor profile of 65–85 µm Rz without abrasive media; results vary with steel grade, rust grade, belt and technique. Suited to structural steel maintenance, spot repair, weld seams and grit-free preparation at height or in confined spaces.
• MBX® Cordless — 18 V tool with dead man’s switch for removing rust, paint, underseal, sealants, adhesives and gaskets, developed mainly for car body panels and thin sheet metal, without heat or warping. It cleans rather than creating a coating-grade anchor profile on structural steel; for that, use the Bristle Blaster®.
• Vinyl Zapper® Ultimate Cordless — removes vinyl, decals, stickers, reflective foils, double-sided tape and adhesive residue from painted metal, bright metals, aluminium, wood and trim without damaging the paint underneath. Used on fleet vehicles, rolling stock and equipment where chemical strippers or abrasive methods are unwanted.

All three run on the standard CAS 18 V platform, use the same battery packs and are charged with standard CAS chargers. For operations using all three, the battery infrastructure is unified across the entire MontiPower cordless range.

Key takeaways

• CAS (Cordless Alliance System) is a multi-brand 18 V battery platform founded in 2018 on Metabo battery technology. One battery powers tools from more than 50 brands, including MontiPower’s Ultimate cordless range.
• MontiPower recommends the 18 V / 8.0 Ah pack for continuous surface preparation (approx. 25 minutes per charge on the Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless); 5.5 Ah and 10.0 Ah packs are also available.
• For operations already running CAS tools, no new battery infrastructure is required to add MontiPower Ultimate equipment.
• For ATEX-classified environments, use the Bristle Blaster® Pneumatic (ATEX-evaluated for zone 1 gas and zone 21 dust). The cordless Ultimate tools are not ATEX-rated.
• CAS and AMPShare (anchored by Bosch) are the two main multi-brand 18 V alliances relevant to North American industrial operations; they are not cross-compatible.

Related articles

• MontiPower Ultimate Cordless Tools: Built on CAS Battery Technology
• Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless: Surface Prep Without Grit, Without a Cord

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cordless Alliance System (CAS)?

CAS is a cross-brand 18 V cordless platform founded in 2018 and based on Metabo battery technology. Tools, battery packs and chargers from participating brands are interchangeable. According to the CAS website, the alliance covers more than 50 brands and over 500 tools, including MontiPower’s Ultimate cordless surface preparation range.

Which MontiPower tools run on CAS batteries?

The Bristle Blaster® Ultimate Cordless, the MBX® Cordless (Ultimate) and the Vinyl Zapper® Ultimate Cordless. All three use 18 V CAS battery packs and CAS chargers. MontiPower recommends the 18 V / 8.0 Ah pack for surface preparation; on the Bristle Blaster® it gives roughly 25 minutes of preparation time per charge.

Is CAS the same as AMPShare?

No. Both are multi-brand 18 V platforms, but they are not compatible with each other. CAS is based on Metabo battery technology; AMPShare is anchored by Bosch and launched in Europe in 2022 and in the US and Canada in 2023. Some manufacturers, such as Rothenberger, offer tools for both platforms.

Can cordless surface preparation tools be used in ATEX zones?

The battery platform does not decide that: each tool needs its own explosion-protection evaluation. MontiPower’s cordless Ultimate tools are not ATEX-rated. For explosive atmospheres, the Bristle Blaster® Pneumatic is ATEX-evaluated as Category 2 equipment for zone 1 gas and zone 21 dust and has no electrical parts.