Celette
As you know, the automobile industry is going through a transformative change. Manufacturers are constantly searching for innovative ways of making cars lighter, more fuel efficient and environmental friendly by way of reduced emissions.
The increased use of high and medium-strength steel, aluminium and carbon fiber, has allowed manufacturers to improve the structural integrity of vehicles while keeping the overall vehicle weight to a minimum.
To make these cars safer, breakthrough technologies such as the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) have been introduced into the vehicles we are now driving. These systems provide warning and alerting functions using video, radar, and sonar monitoring. With ADAS technology becoming a standard feature in high-end cars, OEMs are now focusing on developing low-cost systems for vehicles we drive every day; like GM, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, etc.
The question must now be asked: How accurate do these cars need to be repaired to maintain the integrity of the systems?
In the past, a tolerance of +/- 2-3mm was acceptable when using measuring systems to repair vehicles. Now, however, we are told that chassis repairs need to be within +/- 1mm to maintain the integrity levels which is mandatory for the calibration of ADAS System.
CELETTE is the worldwide leader of “Zero Tolerance” dedicated bench systems, Frame Machine, Universal Jigs and model specific fixture sets – Dedicated Jigs. What makes us uniquely placed as the worldwide leader for collision repair equipment is our 60 years+ of experience, and our strong relationship with OEMs.
Because of this strong relationship, we were advised early on that ADAS Systems were being down-streamed into mid-and low-end vehicles. We realised from the outset, a measuring and generic type of jigging system was needed to help keep up with this high volume market, and more importantly, to guarantee the accuracy of the repair.
We designed a system called the Cameleon – Universal Jigs, which was both modular and scalable with a set of standard tips, adjustable X and Y plates and adjustable jigs. This system is basically like a Meccano Set, we give the body shop a set of plans and the generic jigs to fix to our CELETTE benches / frame Machine, which when assembled, gives the perfect points to hold and repair the vehicle in the most accurate way.
To guarantee we have the most comprehensive and accurate measuring data available. This was a key industry moment, with our global R&D team technically advanced systems and engineers joining together to share technology, information, and other resources for the sole purpose of providing repair shops with the most accurate and actionable data available when making repairs.
We believe that a combination of measuring and jigging will be the most effective, accurate and efficient way to repair today’s vehicles. Furthermore, this will be the most competent way of enabling technicians to diagnose, calibrate and repair vehicles with ADAS Systems back to factory specifications.
And this is increasingly important with rapid technological changes. Most repairers would be aware of the ADAS that are appearing in today’s vehicles for example, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control); LDW (Lane Departure Warning); NVS (Night Vision System); BSD (Blind Spot Detection); AVM (Around View Monitoring); RCW (Rear Collision Warning) and HUD (Head-Up Display).
Vehicles with these systems need to be pre-scanned, post-scanned and re-calibrated after they have had an accident, the repair of these vehicles will require to be repaired to the utmost accuracy and calibration.
There are far more advanced systems now being introduced.
Body shops will need to adapt and prepare to change for the future as more advanced form of ADAS Systems are now appearing in vehicles like Advanced Warning Crash Systems. This system constantly monitors the vehicle, and if an accident is imminent, brakes and swerves to avoid the collision – so it’s imperative that if the car has an accident, that it is repaired to stringent accuracies.
I hope your readers find the information interesting.