Advanced Braking Technology (ABV) has announced it has entered into a Pre- Production Contract that will enable completion of the final stage of the project to develop its next generation garbage truck braking system. Successful completion of the development activities under the contact is the last step prior to commercialising the braking technology in the waste collection industry. The project is designed to expand ABT’s patented Sealed Integrated Braking System (SIBS™) into a highly attractive new market sector. This represents a major growth opportunity for the Osborne Park, WA-based company. ABT’s patented technology is already widely used in the mining industry in Australia and overseas delivering cost, safety and environmental benefits.
This contract follows the proof of concept sign off in March 2010 that verified that after a two year $2 million research and development phase that key program functional objectives for the new SIBS™ brake design were met. These being: vastly superior pad/disc wear characteristics, comparable stopping performance and achievement of regulated international brake performance standards and acceptable pedal feel characteristics.
This next stage of the project will involve a range of in-field and bench tests to ensure the SIBS™ brake design meets all reliability, servicing and performance requirements over an extended period and across a range of operating conditions. A key part of the test program is to accumulate at least 7,500 hours of field service on a fleet of 5 trucks equipped with the SIBS™ brake. Separately other trucks and brake components will be tested in extreme conditions and be subjected to repetitive tests cycles to confirm component life and reliability. The program is designed to last 18 months however a mid – point assessment after 9 months will give an early indicator of performance sufficient to begin the preparation for the commencement of commercial sales.
Under the contract with Brake Developments Ltd, the investors in the project, will provide development funding of $250,000 per quarter to support the project. The ABT truck brake has been designed to significantly reduce the maintenance cost of garbage truck brakes and also completely eliminate brake squeal and airborne particles from the brakes. Following proof of concept sign off in March 2010, ABT has continued the operation of the test truck fitted with SIBS™ brake design gathering further valuable information. Now after 450 hours of operation only a microscopic increase in brake pad wear has occurred with still with just 1% of their maximum design wear limit (0.06mm of a 6mm wear limit) being recorded. Conventional brakes would be at least 50% worn with this amount of service. Other activity included the installation of a brake cooling package to the test truck aimed at further increasing the benefits of the product in extreme operating condition.
ABT’s Managing Director, Mr Ken Johnsen, added: “I am pleased that the Company is now able to commence this next phase of this very important project for ABT. It places the company just one step away from penetrating a mainstream market with global potential. Brake systems for the mining industry will remain an important part of ABT’s business however the garbage truck market is a significantly larger opportunity with large fleets of trucks in major cities across the world.”
http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/abv
Tags: ABV, Advanced Braking Technology, Braking Technology, New contract
