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The new air spring system with the integrated wireless chip from ContiTech Air Spring Systems opens up entirely new possibilities in production, logistics and service, representing a major advancement with regard to safety in day-to-day truck operation. ContiTech is showcasing this technology at the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA) in Hanover (September 23 to 30) - hall 17, booth B05/A06.
The chip's integrated data memory works with RFID technology (radio frequency identification) for wireless transmission of data. Used as transponder, it makes it possible to reliably code every air spring with key product data for infallible recognition. "Vital product information can be monitored electronically with this technology. Despite dirt and wear, they remain fully accessible even years later," notes Diethelm Bauch, head of the commercial vehicle original equipment segment at ContiTech, explaining the advantages of the system.
In contrast, the type identification of conventional air spring systems, which are vulcanized into or glued onto the product, is sometimes worn to the point of illegibility when in service for many years. A visual check of the product data is then hardly possible anymore, and product match-ups are more difficult when the air spring has to be replaced or serviced. An air spring coded with a transponder, on the other hand, can be unmistakably identified, even after 500,000 road kilometers. The information could be called up via a scanning pistol without coming in contact with the spring. "In this way, product maintenance and its documentation is faster and more effective," says Bauch, since the operator can not only access the data, but also add further information to it, for instance about installation and service. In this way, each service fitter knows when and how often an air spring was serviced and how long it has already been in service. For fleet operators, this cuts life-cycle costs per vehicle since the down times can be reduced.
Wireless coding also goes a long way to protect consumers from counterfeiters. "Product forgers copy the shape and color of a product but not its quality or material workmanship. With the integrated transponder ,an original ContiTech air spring can always be identified without a shadow of a doubt," maintains Bauch. "The customer thus obtains verifiable OEM quality." Embedding electronic data carriers in elastomer composite products has the further effect of improving air spring system production - in the manufacture of module systems, for example. It makes it possible to automate assignment of components to a system.
The chip's integrated data memory works with RFID technology (radio frequency identification) for wireless transmission of data. Used as transponder, it makes it possible to reliably code every air spring with key product data for infallible recognition. "Vital product information can be monitored electronically with this technology. Despite dirt and wear, they remain fully accessible even years later," notes Diethelm Bauch, head of the commercial vehicle original equipment segment at ContiTech, explaining the advantages of the system.
In contrast, the type identification of conventional air spring systems, which are vulcanized into or glued onto the product, is sometimes worn to the point of illegibility when in service for many years. A visual check of the product data is then hardly possible anymore, and product match-ups are more difficult when the air spring has to be replaced or serviced. An air spring coded with a transponder, on the other hand, can be unmistakably identified, even after 500,000 road kilometers. The information could be called up via a scanning pistol without coming in contact with the spring. "In this way, product maintenance and its documentation is faster and more effective," says Bauch, since the operator can not only access the data, but also add further information to it, for instance about installation and service. In this way, each service fitter knows when and how often an air spring was serviced and how long it has already been in service. For fleet operators, this cuts life-cycle costs per vehicle since the down times can be reduced.
Wireless coding also goes a long way to protect consumers from counterfeiters. "Product forgers copy the shape and color of a product but not its quality or material workmanship. With the integrated transponder ,an original ContiTech air spring can always be identified without a shadow of a doubt," maintains Bauch. "The customer thus obtains verifiable OEM quality." Embedding electronic data carriers in elastomer composite products has the further effect of improving air spring system production - in the manufacture of module systems, for example. It makes it possible to automate assignment of components to a system.
