August 2014 August | Page 18

cover feature on a mission Alfred Teves Brake Systems (ATE), a member of the Metair Group, is a South African company on a very important mission: to train and upskill the country’s technicians. A TE not only provides invaluable training at the various Partinform venues every year, the company also travels to businesses countrywide, training technicians on brake systems, for as many as 200 days in a given year. ATE brake systems It is a known fact that cars have become faster over time and so the need to stop them has become greater too. Modern brake systems have electronic control systems to enhance efficiency but the basic hydraulic system and foundation brakes of a vehicle cannot work properly if it’s not inspected, serviced, and maintained correctly. ATE’s training programme is very comprehensive, dealing with every aspect of the modern braking system. The duration of a training session is approximately three hours, depending on the amount of questions posed by participants. Topics include the brake pedal, vacuum booster, master cylinder, brake lines, brake fluid, brake calipers, pads and discs and brake drum and lining assemblies, amongst others. The training is performed by qualified ATE technical personnel and is a hands-on experience. Discussions and recommendations for best practices are aided by the use of fully-operational visual aids and functioning test props. The ATE trainers also highlight the need to use the correct tools, equipment and products for whatever job is at hand. ➲ James Shaw, Technical Training Liaison Officer at Ate and Malatsi Madoda, ATE Sales Executive provided the staff at SupaQuick Selby with brake system training in July Participants are encouraged to ask questions, while the trainers’ main objective is to dispel possible untruths and bad practi ces that have unfortunately perforated the South African car service industry. While best practices are skillfully demonstrated, the training provided (free of charge) by ATE is somewhat of a physics lesson. Many laws of physics, such as - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction – will be brought to light, in order to help participants have a better understanding of the various components in a braking system. ➲ The new training prop is fully functional, and is smaller, lighter and easier to transport than ATE’s bigger, wheeled version used at Partinform Approved products such as ATE Plastilube are endorsed by the facilitators. This is strongly recommended when installing brake pads and guide pins to prevent unwanted squeal or noise and to properly lubricate components. Similar braking components are shown and compared to highlight different maintenance procedures that may apply. An example of this is the various designs of brake calipers: fixed, floating and fist type, each with its own functionality and repair/replacement procedure. Companies and business owners interested in ATE’s training initiative, should contact their distributor, who in turn will refer them to an ATE sales representative. ➲ Technicians are encouraged to participate and ask questions | words in action 16 august 2014