Globaljig universal bracket system

The Globaljig universal bracket system is manufactured

in Italy and is available as a mobile

(Figure 14.25), four-post lift or centre-post lift unit

(Figure 14.26). It is also available with a side lift,

making positioning of the vehicle on the bench

very simple; and, because of the mobility of the

side lift, the vehicle can be easily moved around

the workshop area (Figure 14.27). Conversion sets

are also available for other jig benches. It is a universal

bracket system, comprising one set of jig

brackets that are designed to fit any type of vehicle

and light commercials, eliminating costly hire or

purchase of specific vehicle model brackets. Each

422Repair of Vehicle Bodies

Figure 14.25Globaljig mobile universal bracket system (Globaljig, Tri-Sphere Ltd )

Figure 14.26Globaljig centre-post lift unit (Globaljig,

Tri-Sphere Ltd )

Figure 14.27Globaljig mobile side lift jig loader

(Globaljig, Tri-Sphere Ltd )

Major accident damage 423

bracket is designed as a fixing point, providing

anchorage throughout the vehicle, with mechanical

parts in or out. With the Globaljig there is an

option of brackets or sill clamps, providing a precise

and progressive anchorage. Precision and

strength are the main features of this system: accuracy

is guaranteed to within 1 mm. The brackets

included in the system are strong and truly universal;

each has a single bolt fixing, providing quick

and simple assembly. All calibrated scales are easy

to read, and are attained by sliding the beams and

base blocks to their specific location.

The pulling unit is a multivector system, easily

positioned around the jig bed. When placed at the

front or the rear of the jig, the puller will pivot

through 220 degrees, allowing pulls to be obtained

from both sides of the vehicle without removing

the unit from the jig bed. This unique design

allows the pulling capacity to remain constant at

any given height or angle.

The overhead measuring bridge is a standard

feature of the Globaljig. It provides a strong, accurate

measuring device for suspension mountings

and is also used for checking the upper body measurements

(Figure 14.28). Once measurements are

satisfactorily achieved, the accurate positioning of

new panels can be made prior to welding.

The system can also be used as a building jig for

classic cars or tubular framed sports cars, or as

control equipment for estimation or diagnosis of

damaged or previously repaired vehicles.

In the case of anchor points varying from their

engineering specifications owing to manufacturer’s

tolerances, this system can still carry out the repair

because of the total adjustability in all dimensions

and the capability to handle tolerances, even allowing

for positioning and movement during repair.

Universal Bench car body repair

Systems

Universal Bench offer a wide range of mobile

benches, a four-post jig lift, and a scissor bench. The

repair system offers specific anchorage that can guarantee

a precise and reliable repair. The UB Modular

system gives positive repair with jig brackets. This

offers quick and easy mounting on to cross-beams

and allows the possibility of checking and anchoring

up to 22 points on the underbody of a vehicle

(4 anchorage and 18 mini brackets). The pulling

equipment can be attached to the bed, giving a

pulling facility all round the vehicle. There is a standard

four-post bench incorporating lifting facilities,

and a four-post lift with a disengageable jig frame.

This unit is ideal for busy workshops with fast

throughput of work, giving easy mounting and positioning

of the vehicle and the possibility of rotating

the vehicle on the frame. Disengageable frames

allow other frames to be used with the same lift.

Universal Bench have developed a universal repair

system that can be mounted to any jig frame by

using an adaptor. This is a positive system which

allows the repairer to check and hold the most

important underbody points on a vehicle. It can also

be used for repairs which require the replacement of

body panels because of the totally accurate positioning

of the panels to be replaced. Data sheets for the

system use manufacturers’ specifications and measurements.

UB Electronics is a measuring system

with digital readout. This allows quick and accurate

reading of longitudinal, transverse and vertical measurements.

The measuring system can be used with

all Universal Bench units.

Bracketless universal systems: general

description

Bracketless universal systems offer certain advantages

over the traditional fixed bracket systems.

Figure 14.28Globaljig overhead measuring bridge

(Globaljig, Tri-Sphere Ltd )

Two types of data sheet are supplied. One is for

quick diagnostic checks with mechanical parts in

position, and the other is for more detailed repairs

with mechanical parts removed.

424Repair of Vehicle Bodies

The universal jig does not require the attachment

of special mounting brackets, and therefore may

be used in the repair of any vehicle model. Each

system is a self-contained unit, with its own measuring

system for checking body distortion and its

own pulling and pushing equipment for the repair

of any damage, whether minor or major.

Dataliner repair system

Dataliner: general description

The Swedish company Nicator has developed a

universal alignment jig combined with a special

measuring method. The system is called Dataliner

(see Figure 14.29). The straightening bench, around

which the system is designed, eliminates modelspecific

brackets altogether. It allows the repair of

collision damage without the extensive dismantling

and reassembling of components. Its most outstanding

feature is the precise measurement obtainable

(_1 mm) with the use of a laser beam in conjunction

with comprehensive data charts suited to different

makes and models of vehicles.

transport beams, by using quick-release and snap-on

bolts. Once the transport beams have been fitted in

place and tightened, their wheels allow the vehicle to

be moved to any convenient area in the workshop.

The mainframe of the bench has two wheels

which are centrally located. This allows the frame to

be pushed under the vehicle. Using the jack support

on the mainframe, the frame is lifted and anchored

to the transport beams, after which four floor stands

are placed under the frame. The floor stands are

individually adjustable to raise the vehicle to the

most suitable working height for the repair.

Measuring system

The measuring system of the Dataliner is based on

the principle that a laser beam can act as an optical

square, creating a perfect right angle. By means of

transparent scales the plane of measurement is

transferred under the vehicle (Figure 14.30). This

provides a clear view of all measuring points and

allows measurements to be taken and alignment

work to be carried out simultaneously. The main

components of the measuring system are: a set of

measuring rails; a laser unit, which emits a lowpower

safe laser beam; a beam splitter; and laser

guides and transparent scales.

Figure 14.29Complete Dataliner repair system

showing laser equipment and pulling equipment

(Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.30Laser beam passing through the

transparent scales underneath a vehicle (Dataliner,

The bench is made from strong hollow beams, Geotronics Ltd)

known as the mainframe, to which transport beams

are attached in a transverse manner. These transport

beams with chassis clamps are first positioned under

the vehicle, which is raised from the floor by the

use of a high-lift trolley jack. Then the four chassis

clamps are positioned and tightened, to the bottom

edge of the sill on the vehicle and the top edge of the

When the measuring equipment has been connected

to the bench, the long rail is positioned on the

least damaged side of the vehicle and the short rail

on the front or rear of the vehicle. The transparent

scales are hung under the vehicle in accordance with

information on the data charts (see Figure 14.31).

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The transparent scales transfer the measuring point

on the vehicle to a level which can be illuminated

with the laser beam. The scales are mounted on special

yokes designed for bolt heads and fixture holes.

The centre of the scale has a target area through

which the laser beam passes when the measuring

point is at the correct position. As soon as the scales

are in place, calibration can be carried out. This is

done by using the laser guide to deflect the light on

scales on two undamaged measuring points under

the vehicle, vertically adjusting the measuring rail

and angling the laser beam using a wheel on the top

of the laser guide (see Figure 14.32). The laser guide

is equipped with a self-levelling system, which automatically

repeats the height angle of the deflected

beam when the unit is moved to other locations on

the rail. Calibration is complete when the laser beam

passes through the target areas on the scales on three

undamaged measuring points. The beam splitter is

designed to make it possible for measuring height,

width and length at the same time (Figure 14.32). It

is sited in front of the laser unit and splits the beam

to travel simultaneously along the two rails. It can

also be used for the alignment of upper body measurements

by deflecting the beam at the appropriate

angle. Using the other laser guide on the short rail,

the centre line of the vehicle and the width of the

underbody can be checked from the front or back of

the vehicle (Figure 14.33).

Figure 14.31Transparent scales hung in position for

alignment (Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.32Beam splitter and laser guide

(Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.33Checking the centre line of a vehicle

(Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Straightening equipment

The straightening equipment is designed on the

vector principle using hydraulic rams and chains.

Pulling and pushing can be carried out at all possible

angles, both lengthwise and crosswise, and at

any height. The basic Dataliner kit includes two

complete 10 tonne pulling units. A counter-support

(blocking arm) prevents the vehicle from moving in

the direction of pull, and holds the vehicle so that

the pulling forces affect only the damaged zone of

the vehicle (Figure 14.34). This blocking arm can be

used anywhere on the bench, and with extension

tubes it can reach both high and low points of a

repair. Downward pulls can be carried out using a

chain wheel which can be mounted on the bench

frame. As this wheel is pivoted it automatically

adjusts itself to the angle of pull (Figure 14.35). On

426Repair of Vehicle Bodies

severe major damage several independent hydraulic

units can be used simultaneously at any angle round

the bench frame (see Figure 14.36).

A major feature of the Dataliner is that measurement

and pulling can be carried out at the same

time. This guarantees complete control over the

straightening operations from the first pull to the

final adjustment of the damaged area. Measuring

and alignment also takes place at the same time,

which means that a continuous check on the measuring

during the whole repair is possible. The position

of the laser spot on the transparent scale shows

when the correct alignment point has been reached.

Accessories are available to measure the

MacPherson suspension strut tower without any

dismantling (Figure 14.29). A flex lock arm will

fix and hold panels in position during assembly

and welding.

Dataliner drive-on rack system

This system has been designed to repair cars

and small commercial vehicles. It is a complete

workstation that can also be employed for body

preparation, mechanical work and as a platform

for wheel alignment. The system features versatility

as a multifunctional piece of equipment.

The construction of the rails permits limitless tiedown

points. Chassis clamps for unibody vehicles

can accommodate vehicles of all widths. The

working height of the track is adjustable, and the

work platform makes it easy to reach all points of

vehicles being repaired. This equipment is used

in conjunction with Dataliner’s laser measuring

system, and has multipulling facilities (see

Figure 14.37).

Dataliner laser check

Dataliner laser check has introduced a system for

checking car chassis. This system is faster, more

reliable and more accurate than conventional

measuring methods. The laser check is based on

Dataliner’s laser measuring system in combination

with a computer program for fast entry and

Figure 14.34A counter-support (blocking arm) in

use (Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.35A downward pull using a chain wheel

(Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.36Simultaneous multipulling (Dataliner,

Geotronics Ltd )

Major accident damage 427

checking of measurements. The equipment consists

of:

1 Laser guide with electronic calibration and digital

measurement display

2 Hand unit with a memory capacity for four different

car models

3 Personal computer (PC) for connecting to hand

unit for registration of data and specifications

4 Printer for printout of measurements

5 Modern with access to central register and

specification for all car models.

With this system, calibration of laser measurements

has been simplified considerably. Measurements are

made electronically and are accurately displayed

digitally on the laser guide. It is not possible to

obtain incorrect readings. With the hand unit connected,

measurements appear immediately on the

unit display. The hand unit has a storage capacity

for data and specifications for up to four different

car models (Figure 14.38). The test car measurements

can be quickly compared with specifications,

with deviations displayed in millimetres. When

measurements and deviations need to be documented,

the hand unit can be connected to a printer

for printout.

All marketed car models will be found digitally

registered in the company’s main computer.

Measurements are available either on disc or via

modem from the main computer. All data and

specifications can be stored in the PC and are

easily transferred to and from the hand unit via

an adaptor. The program is simple to understand

and requires no special knowledge of computers.

Figure 14.37Dataliner drive-on rack system (Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

Figure 14.38Hand-held unit with memory

(Dataliner, Geotronics Ltd )

428Repair of Vehicle Bodies