New computerized brake testing machine for military wheeled
vehicles saves time, money
Directorate of Logistics
April 17, 1997
The Brake Testing and Evaluation Team, Maintenance Division,
Directorate of Logistics, Fort Hood, Texas, has implemented an
initiative that saves $1.2 million of tax-payers' money annually.
This team partnering with Hunter Engineering, Tank Automotive
Command and National Automotive Center adapted a commercially
available computerized brake testing machine for military wheeled
vehicles.
In the past, vehicles were not tested on a regular basis for
brake deficiencies. To accommodate military vehicles, tests were
performed on each vehicle type and software adjusted to military
specifications. As a result of these modifications to the brake
tester, cycle time for testing and repair of brakes was tremendously
reduced from up to eight hours to less than five minutes.
Before the implementation of the initiative, to check brakes
each wheel had to be pulled and the brakes visually examined.
Now each vehicle is driven onto a set of plates and in less than
five minutes the brakes are tested and a computerized diagnostics
report is printed. The report identifies such problem areas as
the stronger axle locking up which could result in loss of steering
control or jack-knifing, and it provides additional information
on overall brake conditions. Segments inside each wheel indicate
the braking force with an ideal being all segments are the same.
If a problem is identified the mechanic knows exactly which
wheel to pull and the repair necessary to bring the brakes to
standard. Test results and repairs completed are posted to the
vehicle log book and certification stickers are placed on the
windshields of all passing vehicles.
Team members are Ray Littlefield, Equipment Specialist; Paul
Brown, Heavy Mobile Equipment Repair Inspection Leader; Richard
Courtney and Kenny Mills, Heavy Mobile Equipment Repair Inspectors;
and Larry Earnest, Artillery Repair Inspector.
The Brake Test Team spent hours perfecting the computer software
to adapt it for military vehicles. This is the only machine for
military vehicles in the Continental United States. The concern
for the safety of their customers and process improvement goes
beyond the standard for Federal employees.
Fort Hood Public Affairs has authorized using
this article for information only and is not an official endorsement.
|
