On the straight and narrow
Special report: Body alignment & measuring systems
The buzz phrase in the global smash repair industry at the moment is 'cycle time'. How do crash repairers cut down the time it takes to repair the car and get it back out onto the road? Using the latest body alignment and measuring systems can go a long way towards convincing your work providers that you have the efficiency and ability to do a fast, accurate job. AP&P takes a look at what's on offer.
Autorobot from SAPE
Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment carries an extensive range of precision Autorobot machines from Finland. The Autorobot Micro is the perfect entry-level machine which would also suit someone wishing to expand without bolting racks to the floor. The Autorobot 500L is a basic model with a host of improvements on its forerunner. Ramps and scissor-lift can be added at a later stage.
The Autorobot XLS Drive-On comes in two variations, unsurpassed for speed of loading, variable operator height, access around the vehicle and pulling versatility. A second pull beam can also be incorporated allowing extra pulling, blocking and holding options without great added expense. The Autorobot 2000 IV is the top of the line. This drive-on machine comes with five push and pull posts and other hydraulic functions as standard. Seven double action hydraulic cylinders are controlled by a switched handpiece. A unique feature is a robot arm able to reach inside a vehicle and either push a turret up or a floor down, or pull out a pillar or skirt without the use of chains - an invaluable time-saver.
Enquiries, tel: (02) 9568 2233.
Globaljig Super Rotax
Conceived in 1982, Globaljig was the first universal jig on the market and the latest range from BBM, the Italian manufacturer, continues the tradition of innovation claims the company.
The Super Rotax Globaljig combines versatility with practicality. Globaljig provides diagnosis datasheets to check vehicles with mechanical parts in position. No lateral movement is allowed by the Super Rotax while lifting a lowering the bench and a proper guide inside each base block guarantees the correct positioning of the columns. Every flange contains two spring-rollers which prevent the crossbeam side-movements in order to keep the bench centre line constant all of the time. The sliding cube allows two points to be anchored with only one column while special springs allow the base blocks to glide easily on the crossbeams even with the weight of the vehicle upon the jigs, making the process of centering the vehicle a lot easier. Capacity is 3000kg, maximum height is 175cm and each jig can hold six tonnes, therefore with four jigs, the user has 24 tonnes to pull against.
Enquiries, AMEK Australia, tel: (08) 8331 9424, fax: (08) 8331 9895, email: amek@senet.com.au.
Car Bench Muraena
The Muraena range from Italian manufacturer Car Bench is at the cutting edge of workshop design. The four post lift allows the end-user to carry out repair operations at any height and can be used to repair passenger cars, light commercials and off-road vehicles.
The frame is manufactured with a special high tensile steel box-section which is milled ensuring precise positioning of all the checking elements and is then plated for long-term protection.
It can be fitted with one or more 'Muraena' pull posts and can also accept the 'Octopus' automated pulling system.
The scissor bench is mobile and inclinable on both ends. This allows the technician to carry out re-alignment operations while maintaining a comfortable working posture.
The aluminium approach ramps and the four sliding side trolleys, which mount directly onto the frame, allow the vehicle to be mounted without the need to dismantle all the basic equipment.
Enquiries, tel: (03) 9580 5677, fax: (03) 9580 3587, email: carbench@smart.net.au.
Autorobot electronic measuring
Autorobot's latest electronic measuring system retains the traditional 'all-over' vehicle measuring capability while introducing computer-controlled centering and establishment of the datum plane. In other words, automatic levelling of the vehicle to the data sheet. The measuring results are recorded in both before and after format, stored and then printed as required. Manual measurements can also be used if preferred.
Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment carries the full range of Autorobot equipment including the electronic measuring system as well as a large range of pulling brackets and clamps for the whole vehicle as well as special fastenings for vehicles such as 4WD, Mercedes Benz and BMW.
Enquiries, tel: (02) 9568 2233.
Technolift QuickBench
The QuickBench and QuickMax from Italian company Technolift, both combine quick set-up times with minimum space requirements. The QuickBench has a maximum height of 127cm, the QuickMax, 174cm, both with a minimum drive-on height of just 110mm. The smaller QuickBench has a capacity of 2000kg while the QuickMax has a capacity of 2500kg. Both benches are ultra-flat with no side runners for drive-on and are ideal for any repair or finishing job and quick check-ups.
Enquiries, AMEK Australia, tel: (08) 8331 9424, fax: (08) 8331 9895, email: amek@senet.com.au.
Shark computerised electronic measuring system
The Shark measuring system from Hein-Werner uses ultrasound technology to acquire data. The emitters on the probe send signals which are received by high frequency microphones located in the beam. This process leaves the operator free to concentrate on straightening to specifications quickly. The Shark system uses a lightweight extruded aluminium beam which is easily positioned under the vehicle without the need to be level or parallel. Once probes are in place, they are connected to a socket in the beam. After selecting other points to be measured, the operative presses a button and all points are measured simultaneously. Mulitple points can easily be accommodated using the Shark system.
Upper point measurement is made easy without having to construct a 'bridge'. Each step of the measuring process is made easier by the fact that the machine prompts the user with instructions at each stage. If the beam is repositioned or the vehicle shifts during repair, the machine automatically recalibrates the results.
Enquiries, Masterbench, tel: (03) 9357 0111, fax: (03) 9357 9494.
Car Bench Marlin
The Marlin from Car Bench is a scissor-lifting system with a maximum load of 2500kg and a maximum lift height of one metre. A parachuting valve positioned inside the cylinders provides the safety mechanism. The pulling system can be positioned anywhere on the frame perimeter and has six-tons of traction power. An extension is positioned within the vertical arm and both vertical and horizontal rotate through 180 degrees. The bench can be wheeled into place and the vehicle driven onto the flat system where the car lifting supports hold the car under lifting. Axle stands support the car while sill supports are attached for easy access to all areas of the vehicle.
Also from Car Bench is the universal bracket system which incorporates precision measuring within a bracket system. Because of their universal anchorage, these brackets may be used in any repair situation, regardless of the make or model of vehicle being repaired.
Enquiries, tel: (03) 9580 5677, fax: (03) 9580 3587, email: carbench@smart.net.au.
Car-O-Tronic
Swedish precision equipment manufacturer Car-O-Liner has recently introduced a new edition of its Car-O-Tronic software -- called Car-O-Soft 2000 -- which incorporates updated measuring data for virtually all models of motor vehicles, including newly released models.
Car-O-Tronic was the pioneer in computerised measuring in alignment when it was introduced 10 years ago. Since then the so-called wonder computer has taken off in most of the 32 countries where Car-O-Liner is marketed. Car-O-Liner uses local technicians to work alongside the Swedish international team in compiling its global measuring data. This ensures that local differences in makes and models are regularly incorporated into the electronic databank. The team was recently in Australia working with members of Car-O-Liner's technical crew.
The new Car-O-Soft software is a simple Window-based CD-ROM providing easy graphic images which displays information on a second-by-second basis and guides operators through the repair process. Car-O-Tronic is housed in a PC-based workstation which can be easily moved throughout the shopfloor. There's also a handheld terminal which works in conjunction with the PC.
Enquiries, Julie Thomas, tel: (02) 4271 6287, mobile: 0412 568 848.
Multiliner Low Profile MK8
The Australian-made and owned Low Profile MK8 repair bench from Multiliner is claimed to be the lowest bench on the market yet gives a working height of over 1.5 metres. The bench has a 320mm clearance between it and the vehicle, five axis sill clamps, three types of dedicated measuring systems are avilable and all in a four metre compact design, collapsible to a height of 125mm.
The MK8 can also be used in conjunction with Multiliner's mechanical measuring system and its heavy-duty telescoMelbourne-based Multiliner's parent company, Masterbench, has been specialising in collsion alignment equipment for Australian and overseas markets for over 25 years and is the largest such manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Enquiries, tel: (03) 9357 0111, fax: (03) 9357 9494.