Beyond compliance with Axscend wheel-end intelligence
For many operators, electronic brake performance monitoring systems (EBPMS) have become an important tool in supporting compliance, improving visibility and reducing the administrative burden associated with trailer brake testing.
However, as fleets continue to seek greater efficiency, uptime and reliability, the industry is beginning to look beyond compliance alone, according to technology provider SAF-Holland.
“This is the thinking behind Axscend’s latest Wheel End Monitoring System (WEMS), an enhancement to the SAF Connected ecosystem that monitors both brake wear and wheel-end temperature in real time,” said the company.
“By adding another layer of intelligence to the trailer, WEMS provides operators with earlier visibility of developing issues that may otherwise remain hidden until routine inspection, workshop intervention or roadside failure.”
The introduction of technologies such as WEMS reflects a broader trend within the transport sector, says the company; increasingly, operators are asking not simply how their assets are performing today, but how emerging issues can be identified before they affect fleet availability tomorrow.
“This is particularly relevant at the wheel-end, where some of the most disruptive and costly failures can originate. Conditions such as brake drag, sticking brake components, bearing deterioration and excessive heat build-up often develop gradually. In many cases the first visible symptom may be accelerated wear, an unscheduled workshop visit or, in extreme circumstances, a roadside breakdown or wheel-end fire.
“Traditionally, identifying these issues has relied upon routine inspections, workshop expertise and driver reporting. While these remain essential elements of good fleet management, they provide only periodic snapshots of asset condition. The opportunity presented by connected technology is the ability to monitor critical components continuously.
“By measuring both brake wear and wheel-end operating temperature, WEMS enables operators to identify abnormal thermal behaviour and temperature imbalances across the whole axle set. These conditions can provide an early indication of developing faults long before they become operationally significant, potentially impacting vehicle availability, delivery schedules or customer service levels. For workshop managers, WEMS creates the opportunity to intervene earlier, schedule maintenance more effectively and avoid un-necessary downtime.
“Importantly, Axscend’s WEMS is not a standalone solution but part of the wider SAF Connected platform. By combining brake performance monitoring, maintenance planning and wheel-end intelligence within a fully integrated system, operators gain a more complete picture of trailer health and condition.”
