Tires and wheels are regularly subjected to conditions of wear and tear, and these products are some of the more frequently repaired and replaced components in automobiles. The process of tire alignments is an importance process in vehicle maintenance, which not only improves the lifespan of tires, but also improves the driving experience for vehicle owners.
Tire alignments primarily refer to adjustments of vehicle suspension and its connections to the wheels, influencing how the tires make contact with the road. The process does not adjust wheels or tires directly. In cases where tire treads wear out unevenly, if the vehicle pulls away from the intended direction, or if the steering wheel vibrates, the vehicle may require a wheel alignment.
Aside from mechanical wear and deformation from metal fatigue over time, wheels can also go out of alignment owing to replacement of tires and suspension system parts, or because of deformation from collisions. Driving behavior is also a key factor to be considered when checking for wheel alignment issues. While manual alignment procedures remain commonplace, especially in developing countries, tech advancements and increasingly affordable systems are driving the popularity of 3D wheel aligner systems.
Applications of 3D Wheel Alignment
While 3D wheel alignment machines are fairly new to the automotive industry, 3D wheel alignment processes are gaining the attention of professional mechanics to perform high-precision alignment for a variety of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Most modern 3D wheel alignment machine comprise 2 to 4 high-definition cameras, which generate images to be calibrated with an integrated reference system to ensure accuracy in inclination and camber parameters.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the major European countries and the United States account for several thousand miles of passenger kilometers annually, which in turn accounts for vehicular accidents, generating demand in the 3D wheel aligner market.
Innovations In the 3D Wheel Aligner Market
With competition from CCD wheel alignment machines, manufacturers in the 3D wheel aligner market are increasingly pushing with product development strategies to keep up with product differentiation requirements.
For instance, John Bean’s V2400 3D wheel aligner has been designed to provide highly accurate cross-diagonal vehicle measurements. The machine also has been integrated with an extensive database of specifications for numerous vehicle models, which along with real-time measuring capabilities ensure high levels of operational accuracy.
CEMB has unveiled its ARGOS DRIVETHRU 3D wheel alignment inspection system, which can provide a comprehensive report on all alignment anomalies in seconds, with vehicles passing through the system. The company has also developed its 3D Laser Scan device, aimed towards accurate and fast readings of wheel rim dimensions, even for complex profiles.
Manatech Electronics has also displayed significant advancements in 3D wheel alignment for HCVs, with their Jumbo 3D Super model. The system is capable of measuring wheel alignment for 5 axles in only 2 minutes, massively reducing manual effort and improving productivity, at low operational costs.
These features make 3D wheel alignment a popular option for mechanics around the world. As the automotive sector continues to adapt to new technologies, vehicles are increasingly integrated with digital technologies. With major strides being made towards smart cars, technologies for smart tires and 3D alignment systems including artificial intelligence and data analytics are expected to gain attention in the near future.