Meritor Wabco Vehicle Control Systems, the joint venture between ArvinMeritor and Wabco, has expanded its commercial vehicle brake products portfolio with the addition of air disc brakes from both partner companies. The joint venture becomes the exclusive North American source of Wabco’s new-generation, lightweight single-piston air disc brake.
The companies say the brake’s technology offers end-users increased payload potential, easier maintenance and reduced operating costs for a broad range of heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, Meritor Wabco will offer the Meritor brand EX225 air disc brake family, designed for severe service conditions.
“Customers will now have access to a comprehensive selection of the latest technology in braking systems for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and bus applications,” says Jon Morrison, general manager of Troy, Mich.-based Meritor Wabco. “The expanded product portfolio and collaboration between the two partners is also an important signal to the North American market of the partners’ strong commitment to the joint venture.”
The companies says this first step bolsters the joint venture’s ability to lead the market’s transition to disc brakes in preparation for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s shorter stopping-distance regulations. Recently, air disc brakes have been gaining strength in specialty applications like bus and coach, fire truck, and refuse and bulk-hazardous haulers. Both Wabco and ArvinMeritor expect air disc brakes to grow gradually in linehaul and trailer applications and reach significant share of the market by 2010.
Wabco says its new-generation air disc brake retains the reliability of the patented, compact, single-piston technology incorporated in Wabco’s PAN range. PAN brake features such as increased pad thickness, optimized pad utilization and service friendliness have been incorporated in the new-generation air disc brakes. The PAN range will continue to be offered for 17- and 19-inch wheels.
The key differentiating feature of the brake, according to Wabco, is its new caliper with pad offset, in combination with the unique single piston clamping unit and anti-taper wear mechanism. The braking action on the caliper allows the brake pad on the rim side to be retained and supported by the caliper; the rim side brake carrier can be eliminated, creating a distinct weight reduction as well as improved pressure distribution of the rim-side pad, the company says. In addition, disc heat cracking resistance is optimized.
Customer benefits include:
The Meritor EX225 air disc brake features high torque capability and superior pad volume and swept area, the company says, with the guided twin piston design and double sealing offering high reliability and improved brake pad life. For more information, go to www.meritorwabco.com.
