With new products and knowledge raring to go, SMC Corporation put its wide array of technology on display at the Expo.
Unlike other Expo exhibitors, SMC Corporation used its Expo stand to gauge the interest of visitors in relation to electric doors in comparison to pneumatic doors. The industry pneumatic manufacturer has spent years looking at producing an electric bus door range to complement its expansive pneumatic door models.
After comparing the two technologies, SMC Corporation has surprising news to share with the industry.
“What we hear from people is that they believe that fixating on electric buses means these vehicles must have electric doors too,” SMC Corporation national sales manager Darryl Wilson told ABC. “However, even with electric doors, you need pneumatic control to disengage the door in safe situations.
“It simply isn’t factual to assume that electric buses have electric doors.”
Wilson says all electric buses already have compressed air on them when it comes to the driver’s seat, brakes and suspension. Although he concedes these buses may one day have electric brakes, he says that air ride suspension will always be present, making pneumatic control forever important for zero-emissions buses.
SMC Corporation is confident that the traditional pneumatic models perform well. However the company is open to the market and is still working on developing electric door alternatives.
SMC Corporation let Expo attendees decide for themselves, showcasing both types of doors at its stand. SMC used a display case to show its standard pneumatic door that has been successful for many years.
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Alongside the pneumatic door is SMC’s prototype electric door. Wilson says the electric door is on display to gauge interest and get feedback from the market.
“SMC is a customer centric organisation and ultimately we will develop what the market needs,” Wilson says. “In the meantime, we’re proving that the energy consumption of the electric and pneumatic doors are comparable.
“The main differences are that electric doors are a little slower and it’s harder to get them to do the speeds we want and have a rebound situation that bus doors need.”
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Wilson says SMC Corporation is using the debate between electric and pneumatic doors to show the industry that the company remains focused on safety and local manufacturing.
“We’re proudly Australian with our manufacturing and we support local content,” Wilson says. “We did vary to get overseas supply to keep our costs down during COVID, but with local manufacturing returning, we’re back to doing it local and supporting Australia.
“Our industrial side of the company regarding our pneumatic components supports local manufacturing too. We have a facility in Sydney and other major centres with around 200 employees – we’re still growing and intend to keep evolving.”
Wilson says returning to the Bus & Coach Expo has been vital for the company to maintain its relationships in the sector. With new technology to show and discuss, SMC Corporation is proving it is at the cutting edge of bus door technology in Australia.
“Previous Expos have been difficult for us because it’s been the same technology with nothing new,” Wilson says. “This Expo has been exciting and the best Expo we’ve had for a while. To be a part of this huge crowd is so thrilling.”