ASA launches study on repairing hail damaged aluminum vehicles
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — August 28, 2015 — The US-based Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced a new research project this week concerning the repair of hail-damage of aluminum vehicles. The study is a response to questions raised by the National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians (NAPDRT) regarding proper processes for fixing aluminum […]
Car-O-Liner Aluminum Workstation wins 2015 Innovation Award
Wixom, Michigan — August 26, 2015 — Car-O-Liner has been selected as the winner of the Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) Innovation Award in the BodyShop Equipment category for the Car-O-Liner Aluminum Workstation. Every year, PTEN requests tool and equipment manufacturers to submit their new and innovative products for consideration in the PTEN Innovation […]
Chief introduces online leasing tools
Madison, Indiana — August 24, 2015 — Without advanced welders and the latest collision repair equipment, it can be difficult to properly repair today’s vehicles. But buying new equipment outright can be expensive and may not be the most efficient way for all collision centre owners to grow their businesses. According to a statement from […]
Will surging demand from China drive up the price of aluminum?
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — August 11, 2015 — A new report suggests that the current boom in the Chinese auto sector will see much more aluminum used in that country over the years to come. The report, “Global and Chinese Aluminum Alloy Automotive Sheet Industry Report, 2014-2017” claims that China’s growth in the […]
Collisionology from Chief: Design based fundamentals, accurate repairs and damage to aluminum bodies
By Richard Perry OEM and Strategic Account Sales Manager for Chief Automotive Technologies This summer on “Collisionology,” our new Chief blog, we’ve covered topics ranging from aluminum repair to vehicle data, and we will continue to provide updates about the latest techniques and tools you can use to improve your operations. Here are some of […]
Painting, but not as we know it
By Andrew Marsh Engineering Director, Auto Industry Consulting Ltd Once upon a time a highly respected UK shop owner stated that “if one can pass water, one can paint.” The original phrase is even more offensive, but there are some important themes behind this. From the damage scoping phase through panel repair/prep and via […]
Chief’s NACE exhibit puts the focus on aluminum tools
By Jeff Sanford Detroit, Michigan — July 31. 2015 — Equipment supplier Chief Automotive Technologies had a large presence at this year’s NACE event. The company offered up training demos. Attendees were able to witness Chief’s latest aluminum joining equipment in action. “Many collision repair professionals are still in the learning phase with aluminum, and […]
Chief adds new free training resources to website
Madison, Indiana — July 28, 2015 — Chief Automotive Technologies has added best practices guides, how-to videos and other educational materials to its website, chiefautomotive.com, to help collision repair professionals keep up with the evolving industry. “In the rapidly changing collision repair field, you have to continually educate yourself to stay ahead of the curve,” […]
Live@NACE: Dr. Jody Hall on steel’s future and its ‘green’ capabilities
By Jeff Sanford Detroit, Michigan — July 23, 2015 — Collision repair professionals from around North America have gathered in Detroit. The booths are up. The cars have been rolled out on the convention floor. The drink tickets have been distributed. NACE 2015 is underway. The Volt lounge at the base of the Renaissance Center […]
Graphene may herald the next auto material revolution
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — July 23, 2015 — Much has been written about the current battle between high-strength steel and aluminum in the auto body mix. But looking deeper into the future there is another material being mentioned more frequently, graphene, that has strong advantages over either. Graphene is nothing more than carbon. […]
