TOOLS OF THE TRADE
MAXIMUM PROTECTION, Weld fume extractor & dust extractor
Chief’s new weld fume extractor and dust extractor received approval from Ford Motor Company for use when repairing collision damage on the aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup truck. The two shop tools are the latest additions to the list of Chief collision repair products available through the Ford Rotunda Dealer Equipment program.
The mobile Chief fume extractor collects weld fumes at their source, providing better protection against breathing toxic fumes for technicians than overhead vacuum systems, says Ford. The company also explained its “Quick Seal” filter door reduces maintenance downtime.
For maximum productivity, the fume extractor can be fitted with an optional arc detector that starts the extractor as soon as the technician strikes an arc to begin welding.
Chief’s dust extractor collects and contains particles that are released when aluminum vehicle body panels are sanded, to help prevent corrosion, says the company.
Made of all-stainless steel construction, this tool will not corrode from the inside once aluminum dust enters its system, the company adds.
The Chief dust extractor’s containment vessel can be emptied independently of its water tank. This allows technicians to properly dispose of collected solids instead of pouring them down the drain with the wastewater.
TIGHTER TOLERANCE
, Steel alignment tools
Quarter Master has released new steel alignment tools enabling technicians to perform dependable clutch-disc alignment, especially in multiple-disc clutch units.
Made of steel, these tools are held to tighter tolerances than their plastic counterparts This allows them to simulate the transmission input shaft, and create a better fit between the clutch and flywheel. Ford says this results in a much smoother transmission installation.
These tools feature longer spline lengths than plastic options, ensuring that the tool will fully sit in the crankshaft pilot when aligning multiple-disc clutches.
Quarter Master Steel Alignment tools are available for a variety of Ford, GM and Nissan applications.
EASY VISIBILITY, Intelligent window tint
A new type of window tint is set to appear in your service bays.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas early January, automotive supplier Continental presented a demo vehicle in which all of the windows can be darkened at the touch of a button.
Dubbed “Intelligent Glass Control,” this new product uses special films which are inserted into the glass and which change their transparency through electric control signals.
“The selective, incremental darkening of the side and rear windows, as well as parts of the windshield, not only offers considerably increased comfort for passengers, but also makes driving safer,” said Andreas Wolf, head of Continental’s Body & Security business unit.”
This technology can also help reduce the interior temperature by relieving the air conditioning unit, making the vehicle more energy efficient, said the company. The company added these measures can help reduce C02 emissions by four grams per kilometre, increasing the range of electric vehicles around 5.5 per cent.
