September 1, 2008
By:
Kevin Mehok
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A couple of weeks ago, I found myself in the office of one of a group of 18 collision shops, training the office management and staff on the finer points of management system use. During that training session, there happened to be a representative of an insurance company conducting a drive-in at the facility.
August 1, 2008
By:
Kevin Mehok
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More than a few years ago, I remember the best frame tech in the shop I was working for measuring a vehicle he had on the frame rack. This particular shop had just purchased a state-of-the-art laser measuring system. Being curious, I wanted to see how it worked. I walked over to the frame area of the shop and watched the tech measuring the vehicle with a tape measure and the old standby — his thumb. The new, very expensive measuring system wasn't even turned on. I asked the technician why he was not using the system. "It's too hard to set up, and I can get this job done before I get the machine turned on," he said. My thought was that he really wasn't well trained in how to use it, and his fear of the unknown kept him from using it.
July 1, 2008
By:
Tim Sramcik
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Panel bonding just might be the great overlooked craft in collision repair. Custom paint elicits passion; high-strength steels elicit controversy and technical acumen, and frame work immediately calls up patience and accuracy. Yet, panel bonding is key both to a thorough repair and the appearance of the final product.
June 1, 2008
By:
I-CAR
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The advanced high strength steels that are being used today are very heat sensitive. High levels of heat can change the molecular structure and weaken many of these new steels. Using MIG brazing properly can limit heat effect, keeping the integrity of advanced high strength steel intact.
May 1, 2008
By:
Al Thomas
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When technicians talk about restraint systems, they probably overuse, maybe misuse, the term "airbags." In today's vehicles, effective restraint systems consist of much more than driver and passenger airbags. Modern restraint systems include side curtain bags, knee bolster bags, seatbelt tensioners, door and seatback inflatable restraints, rollover protection, mechanical and passive headrest protection, and energy-absorbing seats.
April 1, 2008
By:
Tony Passwater
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I've written several articles and taught seminars about proper pulling techniques. During demonstrations and hands-on programs, I'm always amazed at the lack of understanding many techs still have about pulling and the proper techniques required on modern vehicles. For this reason, I'm going to cover some basic pulling information that is too often forgotten or unknown, along with a look at some of the challenges shops face when working with aluminum and Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS).
March 1, 2008
By:
Toby Chess
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Before you can perform proper welds with an STRSW machine, you need to fully understand how it works. Current flows through the arms (aluminum first with the case of C gun style), which are made of a copper alloy. Copper and aluminum are excellent conductors of electricity since they provide low levels of resistance.
February 1, 2008
By:
I-CAR
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AHSS seems to be the material of choice for the majority of the global vehicle manufacturers.
November 1, 2007
By:
Toby Chess
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Many of our industry personnel lack the training and understanding of how collision forces travel through vehicles. This article will help you understand the dimensionality of vehicles and how that relates to the proper repair of today's vehicles. I want it first understood that I am not out to bash any segment of the collision repair industry.
