End of Line Headlamp Systems Integrated with Wheel Alignment Machines
In-floor headlamp aiming added to a wheel alignment machine with hi-resolution camera box provides accurate and repetitive means for adjusting vehicle headlamps for improved IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) capability.
The (5) in-floor aiming systems provided for this project, were integrated to the existing Fori wheel alignment machines. Each system included the in-floor servo slide system for Y and Z automatic positioning to the vehicle headlamp, and a separate control panel with PC, Rockwell PLC and Rockwell servo motor drive components. The hi-resolution Fori-Vision camera box is mounted to the mast of the system. When automatically positioned to the headlamp center, the aiming process is initialized for finding the position of the lamp aiming point. The operator places the semi-automatic screwdriver on the lamp adjuster and the software sets the lamp to the required target.
The in-floor systems were used to provide better means of integrating to the existing wheel alignment machines versus the gantry systems. The gantry systems would have interfered with other existing overhead structures.
Upon installation of the systems, a more open environment was great for improved operator accessibility to adjust the headlamps. The latest hi-resolution aiming system has contributed to an improved headlamp aiming capability.
The 5 systems were installed over long holiday weekends and shutdown periods to not interfere with ongoing production.