For Immediate Release – January 22, 2001
Toronto, Ontario – Spectra Inc. (SSA: CDNX) reports that it is designing several new brake monitoring functions for its Brake Inspector Ô brake diagnostic system. The company plans to introduce shortly brake pad wear and brake temperature monitoring functions utilizing a modified in-cab diagnostic module and wheel end sensor interface.
Brake pad wear and temperature monitoring will provide driver and maintenance staff with real time data on the braking ability and brake service needs of truck, trailer or bus air brake systems. Spectra is working with the designers of its Brake Inspector Ô product to develop an accurate monitoring system that meets the preventative maintenance requirements and the safety needs of the transportation industry. The proposed monitoring system will identify progressive stages of brake pad wear and pad temperature ranges. Both drivers and maintenance staff can monitor residual pad life and the critical point for servicing the brake pads. Prototypes will be field tested in conjunction with a leading supplier of friction brake material and several large, national fleets.
“Intelligent brake pads are of particular interest to all fleets,” stated Terry Faye, director of sales and technical support. “Fleets that operate in harsh environments such as waste haulage, construction and logging as well as vehicles that experience a lot of stop and go driving such as transit buses and school buses, will greatly benefit from electronic brake pad wear and temperature monitoring. These severe operating conditions all add up to high temperature brakes that quickly deplete or wear down the friction material. The higher the friction material temperature and the brake drum temperature the more opportunity there is for brake fade which leads to brakes going out of adjustment.”
Many transit companies replace the friction material every 16,000 miles. This rule of thumb sees many brake pads with 25%, 30% and even 40% of their remaining life replaced needlessly. Intelligent pad wear and temperature monitoring will extend useful brake life, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure brake drums and friction material operate within optimum performance specifications.
Spectra Inc. is a vertically integrated supplier of innovative products and services to the Commercial Transportation Industry and the Professional Trucker. Spectra’s product line improves fleet safety and productivity and includes Brake Inspector TM, an electronic brake diagnostic system, Brake Safe TM, a visual brake stroke indicator, the Termin-8r TM line of anti-corrosion and extreme pressure lubricants and the revolutionary SmarTire TM, a wireless tire monitoring system. Spectra is positioned through its ISP portal, “Truckinguniverse.com”, to be a leading supplier of information to the transportation industry on the Information Superhighway, providing today’s modern trucker fast and easy access to industry specific information required to maximize profits and minimize down time.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and general economic conditions as they affect the Company’s customers. Actual results and developments may therefore differ materially from those described in this release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Andrew J. Malion, Chairman, Spectra Inc. www.spectra-ssa.com
Investor Relations: 1-800-308-5255 E-Mail: ssa@spectra-ssa.com
The TSX VENTURE Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein |
