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SPRING
Advanced Spring Technology
Larger payloads
Superior performance
Exceptional durability
Expertise and Vision
A WORLD OF EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE AND VISION
Hendrickson was founded in 1913 and revolutionized the heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry in 1926 when we
introduced our first tandem walking-beam suspension. After more than 95 years, suspension technology and product
innovation remain a focal point for Hendrickson.
Decades of engineering innovation and dedication to quality has established Hendrickson as a global leader in new
suspension systems and spring technology to the medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry. Ride performance,
reliability, and weight optimization are key attributes of all Hendrickson suspension systems and spring products.
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SPRING TECHNOLOGY
Hendricksons unique manufacturing technology revolutionized leaf spring performance. This proprietary technology allowed
Hendrickson engineers to produce more efficient springs that reduce weight and improve ride performance and durability.
Hendrickson rapidly advanced this technology, providing spring designs that reduce weight by as much as 70 percent over
conventional multi-leaf (flat) springs. Today, Hendrickson has further advanced the state-of-the-art with additional weight
and cost reductions, while taking another step forward in increasing strength and spring life.
Our advanced products provide weight savings by reducing the number of spring leaves. The following benefits are the result
of reduced leaves:
Weight
Decreased overall assembly weight
Cost effective design for high value-to-weight ratio
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# of Spring Leaves
Advanced materials have allowed Hendrickson to design
A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE fewer leaves to save weight while maintaining spring rate.
Hendricksons engineers work closely with major steel manufacturers to produce unique, top quality, fine-grain steel with
high tensile strength and improved durability. The material is rolled into a parabolic profile by Hendricksons automated
taper rolling mills. Uniform fine grain and high strength are then assured by a proprietary heat treatment process. All critical
surfaces of Hendrickson taper springs are then mechanically treated using a proprietary peening process to further improve
fatigue life.
As the world leader in the production of heavy-duty (Class 8) and medium-duty (Class 5-7) trucks springs, Hendrickson
continues to improve spring design and performance by operating the largest laboratory in North America dedicated to
spring research and development.
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Springs and Bushings
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Global Manufacturing
Hendrickson has numerous manufacturing and design facilities around the globe. With thousands of employees in
multiple countries, Hendricksons regional manufacturing and technical support facilities are uniquely positioned to supply
a wide range of springs for global markets.
www.hendrickson-intl.com 5
QUALITY AND DURABILITY
From design integrity to extensive manufacturing quality assurance programs, TS certified Hendrickson Spring products
are laboratory, test track and road tested to provide the ultimate in performance and durability. Hendricksons focus on
continuous improvement through the application of QOS principles has been supplemented and accelerated by the addition
of a dedicated Manufacturing Excellence initiative. These initiatives are designed to drive down customer costs and warranty
exposure. In addition, Hendrickson uses a data driven process and demonstrated Six Sigma methodology to identify, define,
and control manufacturing variances to ensure process repeatability.
TECHNICAL SUPERIORITY
As a leader in innovation and testing capability, Hendrickson boasts a test laboratory of nearly 40,000 sq. ft. The facility
is equipped with four drive through truck bays and a variety of test rigs designed to simulate real-world conditions.
In addition to this laboratory, Hendrickson holds its lead in commercial vehicle spring development through its investment
in the following:
Largest engineering and technical staff in North America:
Sole spring manufacturer integrated with a commercial vehicle suspension design company
Suspension engineering capability can be leveraged to spring and system design
Comprehensive metallurgical laboratory with:
Scanning electron microscope to ensure material integrity
X-ray diffraction measurement equipment to measure residual compressive stress
Dynamic response testers to ensure optimum ride characteristics
Complete kinematics test rig to verify optimum handling performance
Programmable fatigue testers and software to assess durability and product life
FEA capability for performing:
Stress analysis
Kinematic layouts
Articulation and brake wind-up shapes
Dedicated laboratory for development and testing of a wide variety of bushings
Hendrickson engineering evaluates existing spring and suspension designs and develops cost-effective alternatives,
adding value to every component of the leaf spring design. Our unique global engineering, design and manufacturing
capabilities deliver the technology necessary for
an effective, simultaneous design and development
process.
Commercial vehicles around the world benefit from our commitment to deliver advanced
technologies that are reliable and cost-effective. Our leadership thrives on talented individuals
with solid business practices, to develop superior, differentiated products that promote
leading-edge, patented manufacturing and distribution processes.
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www.hendrickson-intl.com
Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.
32558-001 Rev B 07-09 2009 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. (U.S. Rights) Hendrickson International Corporation (Rights Outside U.S.) All Rights Reserved Printed in United States of America