Offered by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, this year’s training school opens Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Owosso, Mich. Classes are scheduled into November, with a total of 19 sessions in 13 U.S. states and Ontario.
Bendix has provided technician education and support for more than 50 years, and its training programs are among the longest-running in the industry.
“Bendix is as committed to supporting and educating technicians as it is to advancing safety and braking technology and improving highway safety,” says Chuck Miller, Bendix manager of field service and training. “We can’t emphasize enough the importance of equipping both new and experienced technicians with the most up-to-date operational and service knowledge available. Their efforts in keeping vehicles in good working condition not only reduce downtime and service costs, but also contribute to safer roads for everyone.”
Collectively, the Bendix SWAT team represents more than 195 years of comprehensive, practical commercial vehicle service and troubleshooting experience, always at the leading edge of technical information on air and foundation brake systems, the company says.
Bendix Brake Training School’s three-day sessions use a comprehensive curriculum to teach maintenance professionals the description, operation, and service of the entire range of foundation and air brake system components.
Providing the only authorized training in Bendix products and services, the program also offers in-depth coverage of safety solutions such as Bendix brand air disc brakes, antilock braking systems (ABS), SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) by Bendix CVS, stability technologies like Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system, and Bendix Wingman Advanced – A Collision Mitigation Technology.
Bendix says the intensive coursework also details operational system aspects such as the fundamentals of compressed air and tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting. It addresses foundation brake and air brake system components, including air compressors, valves, slack adjusters, brake chambers, shoes, and drums. Classroom lectures incorporate visual aids, product cutaways, and hands-on operational demonstration boards and product cutaways to illustrate component structures and system operation.
The program also covers the commercial vehicle regulatory landscape, including federal Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) regulations.
For decades, Bendix has demonstrated its dedication to safety technology support and technician education. More than 250,000 people have successfully completed Bendix training to date, and more than 350,000 student training hours have been logged during the past decade. Expert post-sales support is just one part of the Bendix approach that delivers performance, safety, and lower total cost of ownership for vehicle operators.
Bendix offers a growing number of educational options to vehicle owners and technicians, including the Bendix On-Line Brake School at www.brake-school.com. Launched in March 2013, the website offers a dynamic curriculum covering all aspects of electronics and air brake maintenance, and has attracted registrations across all participants in the commercial vehicle industry. Delivering more than 750,000 courses to registered users, the training portal boasts more than 25,000 users from more than a dozen countries. The tool is frequently updated with nearly 20 additional courses developed and added to the curriculum in the past 12 months alone.
Class size for the in-person Bendix Brake Training School is limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration may be completed online at www.bendix.com or www.foundationbrakes.com; by phone at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE, option 3; or via fax (216-651-3261).
