Case Study One: Predictive Wheel Alignment stops the vehicle shuffle to and from the alignment shop.

The Matrix Wand Confirms and Reveals Hidden Damage

Here is a perfect example of hidden damage on a 2009 Toyota Prius that was lightly hit in the left front corner. After a visual inspection, the upper tie bar (the green point 6) appeared to be undamaged and everyone in the shop thought the lower rail was good. The Matix Wand measured the XYZ point (orange point 8) to reveal that the DS lower rail had 16mm of sway and 4mm of sag. Unfortunately the human eye, regardless of experience, cannot consistently find all damage. The Wand helps the Body Shop not only confirm damage, but reveal it too.

Virtual Data: XYZ Vehicle Comparison

Imagine being able to compare a damaged and undamaged vehicle across any three-dimensional XYZ point. With the Matrix Wand, the only limit to repair data is your imagination.

In this case study, a customer brought in a 2010 Toyota Camry with significant upper body damage. The Wand was used to map the damaged vehicle AND an undamaged vehicle of the same model and year. By measuring the two vehicles in a three-dimensional XYZ space, a technition can be completey confident in repairing hard hit vehicles.

A mapped vehicle (damaged or undamaged) can be saved in a database to be used for future comparisons. The ability to develop such an automoible reference library with this scope of 3D XYZ measurement information is what we call "Infinite Data".

I should have used the Wand First...

There was a time when 5mm was easily within normal build tolerances. Many body gaps on today's vehicles are often 3mm or less. This lightly hit Chevy Aveo had 4-5mm of sway in 3 locations. The vehicle made it through the repair and paint process to reassembly. Unfortunately, none of the body lines would come together...not a good time for parts not to fit! After hours of frustration, the Wand was used to measure the vehicle and the non-visual sway became obvious. This vehicle went straight to the frame machine and corrections were made according to the Wand measurements. With the Wand, everything fit perfectly.

A classic example of conflicting opinions causing delays in the repair process...

The shop was charged with repairing a 2006 Saab with driver-side body damage from a deer collision. The deer initially hit the driver-side front of the vehicle, which caused it to swing around, damaging the side of the vehicle. No one could say with great certainty if the B-pillar was damaged, or to what degree. The technician ultimately believed it needed to be fixed; however, the insurance adjuster needed proof and it would be three days for him to get onsite.

Using the Wand and Vehicle Match Comparative we compared the undamaged B-pillar on the passenger-side to the damaged B-pillar on the driver-side. The comparison revealed the extent of the damage and had solid documentation to prove it. With this information, the adjuster saved a trip to the Body Shop and the technician began the repairs immediately.