AUTOMECHANIKA '94
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We report from the world's largest automotive trade fair
With 10 large halls and some 3,000 exhibitors Frankfurt's Auto-mechanika trade fair was not short of innovation.
The Profinn 3000 from Finnish electronics and software experts Finntest Oy is a computer-controlled modernising kit for ageing rolling-road brake testing machines. (Reader reply No 64). It can be used to update either electronic or hydraulic test equipment and is said to be easy to use, even for operators not familiar with computers. Profinn 3000 will measure brake delay and the efficiency of each axle against input pressure, as well as checking load sensing valves and predominance. It will also plot the rise and fall of brake pressure at each axle, using up to seven sensors.
A pen-based computer screen is used to carry out the testing from the cab; results can be printed. The hand-held computer control unit is said to be tough enough for use in the field. Tests for delay and pressure under normal driving conditions can be made with the vehicle on the move.
A UK importer has yet to be appointed but the Profinn 3000 will cost about £10.000. Also on the Finntest stand was a neat hand-held car and truck headlight aligner called the Profinn 5.11 is claimed to be maintenance-free.
AP Lockheed launched its 1994/95 parts catalogue and a compact electronic brake fluid tester (Reader reply No 65). The catalogue, covering pads, shoes, discs, drums, fitting kits and fluids, covers cars and light commercials. The Scottishmade Brake Fluid Safety Meter is a compact, hand-held device with an LCD screen which can be programmed for any language. It's designed to offer a clear, simple check on the condition of a vehicle's brake fluid, including water content. It is suitable for use with DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 brake fluids and is powered by the vehicle's battery. AP Lockheed is confident that the LCD information system represents a considerable improvement in convenience and precision over other test meters which rely on a display of lights. Brake fluid testers will take on greater significance in 1996 when such tests become an MoT requirement.
The Brake Fluid Safety Meter sells for some £150, but this is reduced to users of AP Lockheed's new waste fluid disposal system.
A brake-shoe wear indicator was launched at Automechanika by Warrington-based OP' Romatic (Reader reply No 66). The Italianmade Sicur Brake is designed to provide a clear visual indication to a driver that the brake linings need to be replaced. It works via sensors mounted within the brake pads themselves: a rivet is removed from each pad and replaced with an electronic sensor. When the pad wears down to expose the top of the sensor a warning light on the dash is triggered under braking. Continued pad wear causes the warning light to stay on. The system has a built-in fail-safe mechanism which flashes the warning light every time the engine is started American-made products launched at Frankfurt included the Drill-Out Power Extractor (Reader reply No 67) which is said to remove broken.off studs and bolts from castings quickly and simply. The Drill-Out has a left-hand cutting edge and is used with a power drill running in reverse. A hex top locates securely into the drill chuck and the tool is drilled into the broken stud to a depth of about 12mm. The manufacturers claim that the self-centring "Winslow tip" on the drill makes this initial drilling accurate and easy, however rough the surface.
With the drill stopped a right-hand-thread expanding collet is wound down the shaft to just above the top of the stud. When the drill is switched on again this bears down on top of the stud, grips it with its serrated edge and withdraws it as the drill continues to turn. The Drill-Out is sold in sets of four sizes to remove studs up to 12mm in diameter. For a limited period sets are discounted to £40 (inc-VAT).
NIKE Hydraulics was spotlighting a new range of heavy vehicle air hydraulic jacks and an oil filter crusher (Reader reply No 68). The range of three jacks, rated at 40, 60 and 80 tonnes, feature a telescopic lifting system with a minimum lifting height of 180mm.
Each jack comes with 70mrn and 120nun fixed extensions; a safety valve system prevents overload and guards against load collapse in the event of a hose rupture. The jacks can be operated manually or by compressed air. They should be available in the UK by the end of the year—at Frankfurtthe smallest of the three was priced at about £1,500.
The oil filter crusher is suitable for mounting directly on top of a standard 45-gallon waste oil drum. It will press filters up to 300x130mm and is operated by an air/hydraulic pump requiring an air pressure of 87-145psi.
A maximum of 10 tonnes is exerted by the press which is said to remove 99.8% of the oil from an old filter. Like the jacks, the filter press is due in the UK this year; its show price was about £1,000. Launches on the Gemco stand (Reader reply No 69) included the Aircheck AC2000 electronic tyre inflation gauge. It is encased in a shock-absorbing UPVC body and has two buttons, to control inflation and deflation. Pressure is displayed digitally on an LCD screen beneath a dished, scratch-resistant lens; the unit measures up to 150psi expressed as PSI, bar or kg/cm2.
BATTERY CHANGE
The unit is said to run for two years before a battery change is needed. The AC2000 is expected in the UK early next year, priced at about £40.
Gemco is also launching the Aircheck Tyre Valve Connector which locates on to the valve stem, rather than on the dust cap's threaded section. This is said to result in a much firmer grip and simpler push-on/pull-off operation. It is designed to fit CV tyre valves and will come free with the AC2000 or separately at about £7. The MX range of impact-resistant mirrors from Ashtree Glass (Reader reply No 70) features a chrome-plated ABS plastic-backed lens. The mirrored surface will eventually rub off but replacement lenses can be bought individually. There are three mirrors in the MX range; the largest measures 355x205mm, Prices range from £24 to £34.50; replacement lenses will cost from £15.40 to L21.40.
A further selection of parts and accessories from Automechanika '94 will appear in the next issue of W&AM