Chief Automotive Technologies’ newly redesigned Upper Body Bar is included with every LaserLock Live Mapping system, allowing users to measure a collision-damaged vehicle’s upper half as easily as its lower structure. The unique Upper Body Bar can be used to compare the positions of body panels and under-hood components to OEM specifications for a thorough analysis of the entire vehicle. It now features the same out-of-level measuring capabilities as the rest of the LaserLock system, so it is easy to set up and can be used with a two-post lift for blueprinting repair plans.
“We have added a pivot point to the self-leveling Upper Body Bar, so now it works the same way as the underbody LaserLock targets when used in out-of-level situations,” says Lee Daugherty, global data product manager for Chief parent company Vehicle Service Group (VSG). “With the Upper Body Bar, LaserLock is the only system that can simultaneously measure two reference points on the top half of the vehicle and deliver real-time information to the user. LaserLock’s ability to measure the whole vehicle, including the top half, allows shops to make better, more efficient repairs.”
Using bolt and stud hole adapters, the Upper Body Bar’s horizontal top bar can be connected to a vehicle’s strut towers, radiator supports, fender supports, deck lid openings and roof. Vertical scales descend down to scanner level, where they hold a lower horizontal bar fitted with LaserLock targets. Since the targets are mounted on the lower bar, there is no need to move the scanner or reposition the vehicle to measure upper body points.
To ensure a vehicle’s suspension is capable of being properly aligned following a collision, the Upper Body Bar can be used to measure steering axis inclination (SAI) and caster. Suspension points on both sides of the vehicle can be measured at the same time to speed up the repair process.
In addition to the Upper Body Bar, laser scanner and targets, LaserLock includes a computer, color printer, portable workstation, dual flat screen monitors and exclusive Chief software. Chief specs, which cover move vehicles than any other provider, are available through monthly or annual subscriptions.
