Hendrickson Bumper and Trim said it has introduced its new Aero Guard bumper technology for heavy-duty vehicles. The culmination of a four-year development program, the bumper technology combines state-of-the-art resin technology, proprietary injection molding processes and patented design to create the industry’s first heavy-duty, aerodynamic and lightweight non-metal bumpers, the company added.
Introduced initially for the International ProStar tractor, the new bumper employs heavy-duty structural ribbing and an extra-thick fascia in a unified structure that provides cold-impact durability down to -40 degrees while improving strength, engine cooling and ground clearance, according to the maker. Made from fully recyclable materials, the bumper for ProStar tractors is aerodynamic and lightweight. Designed as a molded-in-color, two-piece, middle-split bumper, it is engineered to work with the factory tilt mechanism and can be installed and replaced easily with no down time or paint costs, the company added.
Hendrickson said the Aero Guard technology is a unique combination of material, process and design that makes it possible to incorporate large structural ribs into thermoplastic injection molded parts without creating unsightly sink marks. This revolutionary patent-pending technology can find use not only in bumpers, but also in side fairings, sun visors, hoods and other plastic parts requiring structural support. By designing parts with large structural ribs in precise locations, the technology allows for design optimization and cost reduction through the simplification of eliminating extra components. Fewer components such as support structures, hardware and braces mean less design time and cost up front, plus less repair time and cost down the road, the company said.