BorgWarner Offer Multi-Platform EGR Coolers

Photo: BorgWarner

BorgWarner has developed a new series of multi-platform exhaust gas recirculation coolers that it says offer manufacturers needed durability and flexibility.

The company's modular cooler family includes four adaptable standard designs for flexibility across a range of engine sizes from 2L-16L displacement. The EGR solution offers resistance to thermal fatigue and improved coolant distribution for durable performance, even with minimum coolant flow, while reducing NOx emissions.

“With lower production volumes and high durability requirements, the commercial vehicle segment needs an EGR solution that provides outstanding performance and reduces complexity at the same time,” said Joe Fadool, president and general manager, BorgWarner emissions and thermal systems. “Offering high flexibility and durability, our newly developed EGR coolers have already piqued the interest of several manufacturers that see the potential for a cost-effective solution to help meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations.”

Featuring hybrid tube heat transfer technology and a floating inner core, BorgWarner's EGR coolers are designed to resist high levels of thermal load. BorgWarner integrated a thermomechanical damper into the design to facilitate complete decoupling of the shell and inner core components to absorb longitudinal and angular differences for improved durability. The damper also provides some initial extra cooling for the inlet gas to reduce thermal shock and allows better gas distribution to the tubes to resist thermal fatigue.

When the system is operated at an exhaust gas temperature of 1,562 degrees (850 degrees Celsius), the inlet gas box temperature is kept below 392 degrees (200 degrees Celsius), compared to more than 1,292 degrees (700 degrees Celsius) without cooling, according to BorgWarner.

The four new coolers allow the standardization of most of the components from one application to another, with the exception of the housing and the mounting fixtures, resulting in better adaptability.

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Freightliner Offers eNow Solar Charging on Cascadia

Photo: eNow

Freightliner Cascadia raised-roof sleeper trucks can now be ordered with the eNow eCharge solar system as a pre-delivery installation.

The eNow system can be ordered through Freightliner dealerships and installed at Freightliner's Custom Truck Service centers located at each of the manufacturing plants.

The eNow solar system's 0.125-inch thick design is flexible to follow the aerodynamic roof contour of the Cascadia. The eNow system supplies ongoing power to the batteries, to meet the cab's power needs while reducing idle time and fuel costs.

“The eNow system has continually proven its value in reducing costs, while also demonstrating its durability over diverse road conditions and in a variety of climates,” says Jeff Flath, president and CEO of eNow. “Drivers and fleet owners who order the eNow system pre-installed will begin realizing the benefits from solar the minute they take delivery.”

For more information on the eNow eCharge system, click here.

Related: Wireless Monitoring System Checks Battery Charge, Battery Health

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Kimberly-Clark Partners with TV Show on Truck Safety

Todd Dewey (right), Ice Road truckers TV show personality, partnered with Kimberly-Clark to promote the value of safety glasses and proper use of eye wear. (Source: Todd Dewey Facebook)

Not many people would think that changing a tire could lead to life-altering injuries, and neither did TV personality, Todd Dewey. The star of the History Channel's hit reality show, Ice Road Truckers, suffered a severe eye injury when a logging truck tire exploded, launching more than 40 rock shards into his face. It took three trips to the eye surgeon to remove the debris, and while Dewey's sight was not compromised long-term, according to Kimberly-Clark Corpr., he realized that the situation could have resulted in much more severe circumstances.

Since the injury, Dewey has become extremely vocal about the importance of safety glasses and has struck a partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional's Nemesis Safety Eyewear. Above all else, Dewey and Kimberly-Clark Professional are building a relationship to increase awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace and in everyday life.

"Many industrial workers consider safety glasses as just another requirement," said Jill Walter, eye and face protection category manager for Kimberly-Clark Professional. "However, we want to elevate the importance of safety eyewear, bringing attention to the fact that accidents can happen at any time and anyone can be susceptible to eye injuries. This partnership fully embraces that mission."

Nemesis eyewear is built on its value proposition of "Stylish Comfort. Lasting Protection," and teaming up with a top-selling product in North America held precedence for Dewey. With a follower base made up of people who use safety products on a daily basis, Dewey's primary role will be as a digital spokesperson, including information about Nemesis* products in social media posts surrounding a context of safety and eye ...Read the rest of this story

Electronic stability control mandate kicks in

A federal mandate that nearly all new Classes 7-8 tractors sold in the United States be equipment with electronic stability control systems has officially kicked in.

Initially announced in 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated the mandate will save up to 49 lives, prevent up to 1,759 crashes each year, and provide net economic benefits of more than $300 million annually.

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Gates Mini Crimper Designed to Be Compact

The Gates GC16XD Mini Crimper and pump is designed to offer the performance and speed of a powered pump in a smaller package.

The battery-operated pump has a sealed bladder reservoir that prevents contamination and allows the pump to operate in any position.

Combined with the GX16CD Mini Crimper weighing 44 pounds, the device can make quick, high-quality assemblies in more demanding locations.

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Economic Watch: Manufacturing Solid, Construction Disappoints

U.S. manufacturing activity in July remained solid, according to two reports issued on Aug. 1. Meanwhile, separate reports showed overall construction activity in the U.S. eased as consumer spending and personal incomes barely improved.

The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index registered 56.3, down 1.5% from June but still well above a level the level of 50 that indicates expansion in this segment, which makes up about 12% of the U.S. economy.

This latest reading was just below a consensus estimate from analysts, but showed manufacturing is continuing to build on June's gain with a return to expansion not seen since 2014, according to CNBC.

Comments from the survey of supply managers generally reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders, production, employment, backlog, and exports all growing in July compared to June, as well as supplier deliveries showing improving and inventories unchanged during the period.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 15 reported growth in July.

Meantime, a separate report on manufacturing showed a solid improvement in operating conditions while the upturn in business conditions was largely driven by marked and accelerated expansions in both output and new orders.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit final U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index registered 53.3 in July, up from 52 in June. Like the ISM report, a reading above 50 indicates expansion.

Production at U.S. manufacturers increased for the fourteenth month running in July while new orders received by US manufacturing firms grew at a solid pace, recovering from the nine-month low seen in June.

“The only real blot on the copybook was a decline in exports for the first time since last September,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit “However, although rising, the survey indices remain consistent with only very modest increases in comparable official data such as manufacturing output, durable goods orders and payroll numbers.”

He said the ...Read the rest of this story

Minimizer Offers Custom Floor Mats for Western Star Trucks

Minimizer has released five more Custom Molded Floor Mat kits designed for model year 2016-2018 Western Star trucks.

The Custom Molded Floor Mats are designed for a precise fit and the latest release ensures that Minimizer is offering options for nearly every recently released Western Star truck. The company also has plans to update its selection of floor mats for International trucks.

Minimizer currently offers floor mat options for Freightliner, Volvo Trucks, Western Star, Mack, Peterbilt, Caterpillar, International, Kenworth, and Sterling.

“We want every truck on the road to be outfitted with Minimizer Floor Mats,” Kruckeberg said.

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