BENDIX AIR DISC BRAKE PAD WEAR SENSING TECHNOLOGY EARNS HONORS FROM HEAVY DUTY TRUCKING
Wear Sensing for ADB22X® Air Disc Brakes Is Named a Top 20 Product of 2019; Technology Helps Lower Maintenance Costs and Protect Brake Components
ELYRIA, Ohio – (Trailer Technician) – A new Bendix product that helps eliminates guesswork on air disc brake pad wear in trucks and trailers and can alert fleets to the approaching need for pad replacement, has been hailed as one of the industry’s top 20 products of the past year by Heavy Duty Trucking. It is the fourth year running that a Bendix innovation has earned Top 20 Product honors from the publication, and the sixth such achievement in the last eight years.
Bendix introduced pad wear sensing technology on its family of industry-leading ADB22X® air disc brakes in October 2019. This air disc brake (ADB) wear sensing technology uses sensors to determine when an air disc brake pad is nearing the end of its service life, and then can use various vehicle-based methods (such as telematics) to signal fleets that it’s time to proactively schedule pad replacement maintenance.
Bendix wear sensing technology is available for both tractor and trailer on original equipment through select OEM truck and trailer manufacturers.
“We’re honored that Heavy Duty Trucking, a leading industry voice, has recognized Bendix’s pad wear sensing technology for the full family of our ADB22X air disc brake as a Top 20 Product,” said Keith McComsey, director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End, at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB). “This technology really is game-changing to Bendix customers because it has the potential to deliver lower total cost of ownership (TCO) opportunities.”
Once installed, the technology helps lower maintenance costs for fleets in two ways: by reducing how often technicians need to inspect air disc brake pads for wear; and by giving fleets advanced notice of the need for maintenance, which lets them optimize maintenance scheduling. As a further benefit, since the technology provides fleets or technicians an early alert when pads are approaching the point of replacement, it also may protect costly ADB components – such as rotors – from damage caused by brake pads in service past their useful life.
“With this technology, fleets can realize enormous advantages related to inspections, replacement, and how they’re protecting their investment,” McComsey said.
List of Distinction
Heavy Duty Trucking presented the Top 20 Product award to Bendix today at the 2020 TMC Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Atlanta. TMC (Technology & Maintenance Council) is part of the American Trucking Associations.
ADB pad wear sensing joins five other Bendix products named to Heavy Duty Trucking’s Top 20 Products list in the past eight years.
The Bendix® Intellipark® Electronic Parking Brake earned the 2018 distinction for its automatic safety features and ergonomic improvements related to engaging parking brakes. In 2017, the Bendix® ADB22X®-LT air disc brake engineered specifically for trailers made the list; and Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™, the company’s leading-edge advanced driver assistance system, earned the honor in 2016. The 2013 roster included the Bendix® eTrac™ automated air pressure transfer system, and Bendix® Wingman® Advanced™ – A Collision Mitigation Technology was recognized in 2012.
The industry publication’s Top 20 products and services are selected based on their innovation, ability to address top industry issues, and potential to improve a fleet’s bottom line in areas such as safety, efficiency, and maintenance. The list was compiled by Heavy Duty Trucking editors and the HDT Editorial Advisory Board, made up of executives and managers representing fleets of a variety of sizes and types. Entire vehicles are not included, and products must be commercially available or scheduled to become commercially available this year.
How the Technology Works
Bendix air disc brake wear sensing technology consists of sensors mounted to the ADB pads, indicating when pad thickness is approaching a replacement condition. At that point, the system records a diagnostic trouble code and creates a system message that can alert a fleet’s office via telematics, if equipped. It can also be set up to alert technicians through a remote diagnostic unit (RDU). At the time of notification, sufficient pad life remains to enable the fleet or technician to schedule replacement service before it’s an emergency situation.
“By equipping vehicles with wear sensing, fleets can increase the cost-effectiveness of their maintenance efforts by significantly reducing the time and effort spent removing tires to determine that adequate pad life remains. Or, worst case, they find they’re too late, discovering a pad so worn that it has damaged the rotor or other components, and requires replacement of expensive parts,” McComsey explained.
He continued, “With this technology, fleet personnel can be alerted in real time when they’re approaching the pad’s end-of-service life state. This technology is part of our commitment to optimize the Bendix air disc brake system, plus help fleets protect their air disc brake investment and lower total cost of ownership. Together with our fleet customers who are spec’ing innovations like wear sensing technology, and our OEM partners making it available, we are shaping tomorrow’s transportation.”
Kenworth Truck Company offers the system on its T680, T880, and W990 tractors equipped with the Bendix® ADB22X® air disc brake.
For trailers, pad wear sensing technology is available on equipment spec’d with the Bendix® ADB22X®-LT trailer air disc brake. The technology is compatible with the Bendix® TABS-6™ Premium and Advanced trailer roll stability systems, meaning one of those must be spec’d along with wear sensing. Bendix wear sensing accommodates most trailer types, including vans, flatbed, reefers, and tanks.
For more information about Bendix air disc brakes, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.
About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC combines and expands the complementary wheel-end foundation brake technologies of two global leaders – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is a single, complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware, and support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, as well as all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Contact us at 1-866-610-9709 or visit foundationbrakes.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, visit bendix.com/careers.