Bendix achieves air disc brake milestone

Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB) recently manufactured its 175,000th Bendix ADB22X air disc brake at the company’s wheel-end production facility in Bowling Green KY, which began producing the air disc brakes in 2005.

The ADB22X air disc brake is part of BSFB’s line of wheel-end systems that meet and exceed the new federal stopping distance requirements mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The patented air disc brake is a lightweight air disc brake design proven to reduce stopping distance and extend brake system life for commercial vehicles. In recent years, production has increased dramatically year by year, with 23,000 air disc brakes manufactured in 2009 and 52,000 in 2010. The company expects production to exceed more than 100,000 units in 2011.

Aaron Schwass, general manager for BSFB, said, “Demand for the brakes increased nearly 120% from 2009 to 2010, and we expect an additional increase of nearly 140% in 2011.”

The first phase of the NHTSA mandate requires a 30% reduction in stopping distance for new three-axle tractors with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs) up to 59,600 lbs and produced after the August 1, 2011, implementation date. Tractors with two axles, as well as severe-service tractors with GVWRs above 59,600 lbs, must comply with the new mandate by Aug 1, 2013.