ArvinMeritor's Complete Braking System Continues to Lead the Way for Customers
LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 24 -- . ArvinMeritor, Inc. announced here today at the Mid-America Trucking Show that its Complete Braking System, provided jointly with Meritor WABCO, continues to gain customer acceptance with the introduction of several new products.
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"With the potential stopping-distance regulation change, the ever-growing need for added safety on the road and the desire for lower vehicle operating costs, more fleets and truck operators are seeing the value in our Complete Braking System," said Sergio Carvalho, vice president and general manager, Brakes, Suspension Systems, Trailer Products and Ride Control. "While each component has a proven track record, the system is engineered for optimum compatibility and braking performance."
Progress in Foundation Braking
In response to increasing performance requirements and the continued focus on the cost of heavy vehicle ownership, ArvinMeritor has expanded its lineup of foundation brakes. The EX225 Air Disc Brake and the Q Plus(TM) High Performance Package were developed to address a variety of stopping performance needs.
"These packages give fleets and vehicle operators two new options based on their specific stopping needs," said Carvalho. "Whether they're running linehaul, or refuse pick-up, for example, we have a braking solution to fit their requirements while keeping their cost of ownership in mind."
Q Plus High Performance Package
Specifically designed to optimize stopping performance on tractor-trailer combinations, the package is comprised of 16.5" x 5" front and 16.5" x 7" rear Q Plus brakes. Also included in the package are enhanced friction materials, such as Meritor(R) MA210, higher output air chambers and a Meritor automatic slack adjuster.
The High Performance package provides 30 to 60 percent more brake torque than conventional cam brakes which translates into 20 to 25 percent shorter stopping distances on typical tractor-trailer combinations. The larger front brakes also provide 65 percent more wearable lining volume than current front brakes, which increases service life. The package is available with optional 16.5" x 8.62" Q Plus wide rear brakes for more demanding applications that require increased fade resistance and longer service life.
"The Q Plus High Performance Package includes many features that set it apart from conventional cam brakes," commented Carvalho. "These features provide our customers with a solution to the anticipated federal stopping regulations changes without a significant increase in acquisition costs."
EX225 Air Disc Brake Platform
The EX225 incorporates innovative technologies to deliver one of the leading air disc brake packages available on the market today. Greater heat dissipation provides increased stopping power, fade resistance, and durability. Quick-change pads provide ease of maintenance, reducing downtime and potential service costs. In addition, the EX225 Platform provides the maximum wearable lining volume in the industry extending service life.
Providing further options for the fleet and vehicle operator, this platform offers a range of friction couple (pad and rotor) solutions to meet the differing stopping needs of the marketplace.
* A high performance friction couple provides optimum stopping performance for vocations subjected to aggressive driving conditions and excessive payload capacities.
* A city service friction couple that provides optimum pad/rotor wear- performance for vocations subjected to higher stops-per-mile at reduced maximum speeds.
* A linehaul friction couple provides long life for typical on-highway applications comparable with competitive brake shoe offerings.
"We've developed braking packages that offer a variety of solutions dependent upon our customers' needs," said Carvalho. "If the change in the stopping distance regulations comes to fruition, we'll be ready. But, for today, these packages offer ideal results that fleets and vehicle operators can rely on."
More Stability On the Road
Since the introduction of Meritor WABCO's stability control technologies eighteen months ago, there are over 1,000 vehicles on the road with the system in place. The Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Roll Stability Support (RSS) systems aid in the reduction of vehicle rollovers.
"We're proud to offer this technology to the marketplace as it adds another measure of safety to vehicle performance," said Dennis Sandberg, president of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems. "The fact that so many vehicles are already operating with the system tells us that its benefits have already been recognized. And, market acceptance continues to grow at a very strong rate."
Roll Stability Control
The RSC system focuses on a straight truck or tractor's center of gravity and the lateral acceleration limit or rollover threshold. Meritor WABCO engineers studied the dynamics of a rollover and developed algorithms calculating the critical lateral acceleration limit. When critical lateral acceleration thresholds are exceeded, RSC intervenes to regulate the vehicle's deceleration functions. Track and field testing demonstrated the system's ability to slow the vehicle, giving the driver better control and maneuverability.
Intervention by the system occurs in three forms -- engine, retarder and brake control. An accelerometer mounted directly to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) electronic control unit (ECU) monitors the vehicle's lateral acceleration. RSC constantly monitors driving conditions and intervenes if critical lateral acceleration is detected. The system provides control of engine torque and the retarder, as well as automatically modulates the drive axle and trailer brakes.
Roll Stability Support
RSS is an independent system for trailers and offers electronic assistance to reduce the likelihood of rollover. Similar to the tractor's RSC system, the RSS focuses on lateral acceleration and wheel speed, monitoring the critical acceleration limit. If this limit is exceeded, the trailer brakes are automatically applied just enough to reduce the vehicle's speed.
"Our philosophy is to cultivate systems that help improve vehicle safety and performance, while keeping operating costs under control. We believe the RSC and RSS systems are doing just that with the additional benefit of providing drivers added control of their vehicles." He also noted that while the systems act as an aid, drivers are still the most important element and must ensure that the physical limits of the vehicle are not exceeded.
The Complete Braking System from ArvinMeritor and Meritor WABCO offers the most comprehensive product availability, including: truck, tractor and trailer anti-lock braking systems (pneumatic and hydraulic); electronic braking systems; air dryers; air brake control valves; air compressors; air cam brakes (including high-performance drum brakes); air disc brakes; automatic slack adjusters; friction materials; hubs and drums; and stability control systems for straight trucks, tractors and trailers.
Meritor WABCO(1) is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor, and the WABCO Automotive Products Group of American Standard Companies Inc. .
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier $8-billion global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and related aftermarkets. Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 32,000 people at more than 150 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company's Web site at: www.arvinmeritor.com .
WABCO, the vehicle control systems division of American Standard , is the world's leading producer of electronic braking, stability, suspension and transmission control systems for heavy duty commercial vehicles. WABCO products are also increasingly used in luxury cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Customers include the world's leading commercial truck, trailer, bus and passenger car manufacturers. Founded in the US 135 years ago as Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WABCO was acquired by American Standard in 1968. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the division today employs more than 6400 people in 29 office and production facilities worldwide. In 2003, WABCO contributed US$1.358 billion to American Standard's total sales of US$8.568 billion. Website: www.wabco-auto.com
(1) Meritor WABCO products are available in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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