CamLaster ™-A New Drum Brake for North America

A new foundation brake, the CamLaster ™, is being introduced into the North American heavy truck market. This new product is one of the first new drum brake designs in over 20 years. It promises to address many of the trucking industries major concerns for improved reliability, ease of maintenance and long service life. The product was a joint development of Freightliner and ArvinMeritor. The brake took over 6 years to develop and bring to market. Multiple design groups in North America and Europe were involved in the development. This paper discusses the engineering program from market research to production.