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Automechanika to Feature New Product Showcase |
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Written by CRM News
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Monday, 16 June 2008 |
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TORONTO, ON -- June 16, 2008 -- Automechanika Canada will feature a New Product Showcase highlighting the industry’s newest products and equipment. The display will be open during show hours, June 19-21, at the International Centre in Toronto, ON. “The New Product Showcase is a feature area on the show floor developed to highlight some of Automechanika Canada’s exhibitors’ newest innovations,” said Kristen Woodburn, the show’s manager. “Featured products from around the world demonstrate the latest industry developments, ranging from stylish wheels and advanced tool systems to earth-conscious green cleaning products. This is a great opportunity for attendees to see them first.” Among the featured products are:
• Auto-Camping Ltd.’s three newest products – Blue Chem Fuel System Cleaner, which emulsifies water, dissolves fuel residues and lubricates components, helping prevent poor drivability and corrosion; Total Quartz Ineo MC3 5w30 oil, which is approved for the newest OEM standards from Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and VW and the latest API SM, making it unique among top-tier oils; and the VAD PRO-901, a rugged, portable VW/Audi scan tool that performs OEM-level diagnostic procedures, as well as OBD-II Universal functions, at a fraction of the cost of factory scanners
• Bear Canada/Marketch Electronics Ltd’s Bear i-mote – displays assignment angles for the operator in a convenient package and is as simple to use as checking the time on a watch
• Challenger Lifts’ Portable Midrise Life MR6 – has a 6,000 pound capacity, a heavy-duty tow dolly for operation indoors or out, and a sliding/rotating arm design with rubber pads
• Empack’s emcool A/C Deluxe Recharge & Sealant Kit –contains the necessary items to recharge and seal an A/C system efficiently
• K&N Engineering, Inc.’s 77-2570KTK – a performance intake system for a 1997-2006 Ford E350/E450 Econoline V10-6
• Megawheelz Inc.’s Phat Kat Wheels – add style to vehicles
• Pneutrend Canada Company Ltd.’s ¾” Impact Wrench and Mini Line ⅜” Impact Wrench – the most powerful in their sizes with a composite housing that reduces weight and raises stability
• Ross-Tech LLC’s Vag-Com Diagnostic System (VCDS) – turns a PC into a factory-level diagnostic system for VW/Audi/SEAT/Skoda at the price of a generic scan tool
• US Speedo’s Stainless Steel Gauge Face – available in both gas and diesel versions
• Valor Manufacturing Inc.’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – for aftermarket installation on cars, vans and trucks
• Zex A/C Compressors’ (a division of Mister Starter Ltd.) two new products – an A/C Compressor for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Porsche, which is available remanufactured or new; and the Super Charger Jaguar_XJ Series, which offers remanufactured super chargers and turbo chargers Automechanika Canada is dedicated to all aspects of the automotive aftermarket, including parts, repair, accessories and service. It brings together key aftermarket suppliers with thousands of service and repair providers, shop owners, jobbers, technicians, wholesalers/distributers, sales agents and apprentices. To view these and many more aftermarket products and services, please visit automechanikacanada.com and register to attend, June 19-21, 2008 at the International Centre in Toronto, ON.
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IBIS 2008: Core Changes Ahead |
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Written by Darryl Simmons
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Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND -- June 12, 2008 -- Core changes are radically realigning the automotive industry, and the implications could be huge for the collision repair sector. That’s the message IBIS attendees heard from Dr. Peter Wells of the Centre for Automotive Research, Cardiff Business School. Dr. Wells spoke at the 2008 International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS). Collision Repair magazine is the Canadian Publisher Partner for IBIS. Dr. Wells set out key findings from important new research performed by himself and his colleagues. The research involves changes to the world’s automotive markets since 2000.
IBIS founder Chris Mann, gave the keynote speech on June 9. Mann presented his views on the international collision repair community, which he says is at a crossroads, one which may lead to a global business contraction that may mean the end of the line for many shops around the world.
IBIS 2008 took place at the Montreux Palace Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland. Sessions included “Vehicle Safety Systems and their impact on repairability” (Lead speaker: Michiel van Ratingen – Secretary General, Euro NCAP), “Staff - Resourcing for an unknown future” (Lead Speaker: Glenn Gibson – Global Chief Strategy Officer, Crawford & Company), “Improving the repair process - Can ‘lean’ work for the repair industry?” (Lead speaker: Gary Steele – Partner, Muradi LLP) and “Insurer/repairer relationships – Repairing a dysfunctional market.”
For more information on IBIS, please click here.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 16 June 2008 )
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Motion Sensing Technology Integrated with VirtualPaint |
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Written by CRM NEWS
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Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
BEDFORD, MA -- June 11, 2008 -- InterSense Incorporated, has announced its custom configured, IS-900 PCTracker motion tracking system has been integrated with Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC) VirtualPaint solution, a computer simulation and virtual reality system designed to train spray technicians. VirtualPaint was developed by IWRC, a service of the University of Northern Iowa, to offer a safe, effective training tool that requires no additional set-up time for trainers or users, eliminating the use of coating or materials and also avoiding the creation of waste or air emissions.
Combining InterSense’s IS-900 system with the VirtualPaint solution delivers a rich experience that ensures users are properly trained. Mounting the robust, wireless sensor directly onto the instrumented spray gun enables the system to capture every nuance of motion with no jitter or latency, ensuring realistic simulation of spray operations. Previously, many spray technicians did not receive proper training due to the cost and time required, since companies were required to close facilities and waste materials for the sole purpose of training. Using the IS-900 system, the VirtualPaint solution ensures trainees can practice field-quality techniques while experiencing the true look, feel and sound of the spray gun.
InterSense’s IS-900 PCTracker combines with IWRC’s VirtualPaint solution to enable both new and experienced technicians to master various spray techniques by tracking all of the necessary data to evaluate performance. Visual representations of transfer efficiency, paint thickness and the amount of paint used can be viewed on a computer screen in conjunction with operation of the spray gun. Technicians can also use the accumulation mode to view the exact thickness of their virtual spray. The program also breaks down the color into shades of blue, green and red, allowing the technician to evaluate all aspects of their spray. In addition to assisting trainees in the mastery of spray operations, the solution conserves resources, as technicians no longer need to wait for coatings to be mixed, parts to dry or materials to be provided as they train.
“At the time VirtualPaint was being developed, our software developer recommended the InterSense IS-900 PCTracker system for multiple reasons,” said Joe Bolick, process research and education specialist, Iowa Waste Reduction Center. “Compared to other similar products, the InterSense PCTracker was not prone to interference and the flexible configuration tracked the spray gun in a wide variety of environments. In addition, the tracker fit the reliability and portability factors required by our customers.”
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with IWRC, and provide them with state-of-the-art motion management technology that fits both their application’s needs and their budget,” stated Mike Donfrancesco, VP Sales of InterSense. “Our versatile technology has the capability to track motion in virtually any environment and can be used in a variety of industries for training and evaluation purposes. The flexibility of our technology ensures it can be easily configured to meet custom requirements and offers strategic innovation to a virtually limitless number of organizations worldwide.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 June 2008 )
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I-CAR Appoints New Chief Executive |
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Written by CRM News
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL -- June 10, 2008 -- The International Board of Directors of the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has announced the appointment of John W. Edelen to the position of president and chief executive officer of the organization. Edelen has served as interim chief executive since November 2007.
Sam Pezzullo, Vice-Chairman of I-CAR’s International Board of Directors, made the announcement. “Since last November, at the request of the I-CAR Board, John Edelen has been serving as the Interim CEO of I-CAR. The Board is pleased with the progress that I-CAR is making under John’s leadership, and we want to see this progress continue. Through his appointment, we will be able to provide the organization with continuity, and build upon the early work that John has done with both the I-CAR Staff and Volunteers. John has resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Directors, and as Chairman, to assume this leadership role,” said Mr. Pezzullo.
Per the I-CAR Bylaws, Pezzullo, as vice-chair, will assume the responsibilities of the chairman position vacated due to Edelen’s resignation from the Board.
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