Materials guide graphics from Audatex

Audatex UK has launched new colour-coded graphics that provides guidelines to material type.

Audatex UK has announced that it is launching new colour-coded graphics within its AudaEnterpriseGold estimating and claims management system to help vehicle damage assessors (VDA) identify aluminium high strength and ultra high strength steels (>600MPa).

With the range of materials used in the construction of new vehicles becoming ever more complex there is increasing pressure on VDAs to correctly identify material types at the point of estimating in order to determine the appropriate method of repair.

On a global level Audatex has worked closely with vehicle manufacturers to obtain the data necessary to introduce colour coding. On a local level the Audatex technical committee has played a key part in ensuring the data is delivered in the most effective manner for the users of AudaEnterpriseGold.

“Colour coding of material types was identified as high on the list of priorities for our customers in our recent estimating efficiency research,” Adrian Ritchie, Audatex UK’s commercial director, said.

“We’re delighted to respond to this by introducing colour-coded graphics as part of our ongoing AudaEnterpriseGold development program.

“Correctly identifying material types is essential today in determining the appropriate repair method and ensuring a safe repair. This new feature will help VDAs make this increasingly important decision.”

Colour coding for aluminium high strength and ultra high strength steels (>600Mpa) was available to all AudaEnterpriseGold users (v 3.3 and above) from 8 July, 2010; the functionality will be delivered through the next Audatex data release (D3.85).

This release will cover all vehicles where data has been made available from the vehicle manufacturers and will be extended as and when new information becomes available. This information complements the colour coding which already exists for plastic and composite materials.

Audatex is keen to emphasise that the colour coding within its graphics is provided as an alert to differing material types and should be used as a guide only.

The company strongly recommends that the information is used in conjunction with methods information provided by the vehicle manufacturers or using Thatcham Integrated Methods (Thatcham I.M.).

Audatex Australia business development manager, Keith Dean, said: “We have the new colour-coded graphics here now in Australia and plan to roll it by the end of this year.”