Unitized Structural Body Repair
Unibody - ANS-Lightweight stamped sheet metal components that are welded to each other to
create a single unit.
Space Frame - ANS-Body panels can be made from plastic are steel. Steel may be Mild,
Intermediate, or HSS. Panels may hide damage to frame or structure.
Crush Zones - ANS-Structural components such as rails are designed to collapse and bend at
specific points.
Collision Energy Management - ANS-Goal is passenger protection. Front and rear structures act
as crush-able energy absorbers.
Direct Damage - ANS-POI. Easily located and diagnosed.
Indirect Damage - ANS-transmission of collision energy beyond the area of immediate impact.
Examples; Split seam sealers, pulled spot welds, misaligned panels, buckles in steel, cracked
glass, and cracked or chipped paint.
Passive Restraint Systems - ANS-Must have service manual. No two are alike.
Datum - ANS-Imaginary plane or line beneath the vehicle. Measures height.
Centerline - ANS-Vertical plane that passes from the front of the vehicle to the rear. Measures
Width. May have stamped marks on vehicle body structure. Is confirmed by referencing at last 3
width measurements in the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
Zero Planes - ANS-Vertical plane that passes from side to side. Confirmed by measuring 3
length measurements from the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
Symmetry - ANS-Equal on each side of the vehicle.
Asymmetrical - ANS-Unequal on each side of the vehicle. (spare tire well)
Reference Points - ANS-Bolts or nuts, Holes, Mechanical attachment points, Edges of panels,
Door strikers, Corner of openings. Common tolerance is =/.3mm (1/8) or all the way to 1mm
(1.32).
Loaded Measurements - ANS-Drivetrain In
Unloaded Measurements - ANS-Drivetrain out
, Point to Point Measurements - ANS-shortest distance between 2 reference points. AKA "as the
crow flies". Uses tram or steel tape measure.
Datum Measurements - ANS-Taken at Datum plane, height differences between reference
points. Laser measuring system
Computerized Measuring System - ANS-compare data stored in a software program or a central
database. Get hard copy of measurements. Can watch while pulling.
Steel - ANS-Cannot know what kind by visible. Must check service manual.
Tensile Strength - ANS-Amount of pressure/force necessary to fracture or tear steel.
Yield Strength - ANS-Amount of force/pressure necessary to deform steel permanently.
PSI - ANS-Pounds per inch /// tensile and yield strengths are expressed. Higher the number the
stronger the steel.
Mild Steel - ANS-Cosmetic, used on Space frames, May be stressed relieved with heat, tears
can be welded without a loss of strength. Yield strength 30,000 PSI
Intermediate Steel - ANS-Yield strength 30,000-70,000 PSI, structural and cosmetic, may be
affected by excessive heat, small tears can be welded w/o loss of strength.
High Strength Steel (HSS) - ANS-Yield strength between 30,000-100,000 PSI, used in cosmetic
and structural, is destroyed by exceeding temperature or time limits, should be replaced if
kinked or torn excess of 1/4 inch, should be straightened cold whenever possible.
Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) - ANS-Very high yield strength exceeding 100,000 PSI, must
never be repaired, door intrusion beams and re-bars.
MIG/GMAW Welding - ANS-
Stick-Arc, and Oxy-Acetylene - ANS-Are not recommended for unibody repair. They heat up to
large of an area that is not needed. you want to weld the smallest area possible.
Compression Spot Welding - ANS-Used by manufactures, but is not recommended for collision
repair. Our equipment makes welds 70-80%of the strength of manufactures. Manufactures may
have technicians use but must follow service manual and special procedures.
MIG Welding Wire (Electrode) - ANS-AWS ER70S-6 AWS ER70S-7
AWS - ANS-American Welding Society Standard
Unibody - ANS-Lightweight stamped sheet metal components that are welded to each other to
create a single unit.
Space Frame - ANS-Body panels can be made from plastic are steel. Steel may be Mild,
Intermediate, or HSS. Panels may hide damage to frame or structure.
Crush Zones - ANS-Structural components such as rails are designed to collapse and bend at
specific points.
Collision Energy Management - ANS-Goal is passenger protection. Front and rear structures act
as crush-able energy absorbers.
Direct Damage - ANS-POI. Easily located and diagnosed.
Indirect Damage - ANS-transmission of collision energy beyond the area of immediate impact.
Examples; Split seam sealers, pulled spot welds, misaligned panels, buckles in steel, cracked
glass, and cracked or chipped paint.
Passive Restraint Systems - ANS-Must have service manual. No two are alike.
Datum - ANS-Imaginary plane or line beneath the vehicle. Measures height.
Centerline - ANS-Vertical plane that passes from the front of the vehicle to the rear. Measures
Width. May have stamped marks on vehicle body structure. Is confirmed by referencing at last 3
width measurements in the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
Zero Planes - ANS-Vertical plane that passes from side to side. Confirmed by measuring 3
length measurements from the undamaged portion of the vehicle.
Symmetry - ANS-Equal on each side of the vehicle.
Asymmetrical - ANS-Unequal on each side of the vehicle. (spare tire well)
Reference Points - ANS-Bolts or nuts, Holes, Mechanical attachment points, Edges of panels,
Door strikers, Corner of openings. Common tolerance is =/.3mm (1/8) or all the way to 1mm
(1.32).
Loaded Measurements - ANS-Drivetrain In
Unloaded Measurements - ANS-Drivetrain out
, Point to Point Measurements - ANS-shortest distance between 2 reference points. AKA "as the
crow flies". Uses tram or steel tape measure.
Datum Measurements - ANS-Taken at Datum plane, height differences between reference
points. Laser measuring system
Computerized Measuring System - ANS-compare data stored in a software program or a central
database. Get hard copy of measurements. Can watch while pulling.
Steel - ANS-Cannot know what kind by visible. Must check service manual.
Tensile Strength - ANS-Amount of pressure/force necessary to fracture or tear steel.
Yield Strength - ANS-Amount of force/pressure necessary to deform steel permanently.
PSI - ANS-Pounds per inch /// tensile and yield strengths are expressed. Higher the number the
stronger the steel.
Mild Steel - ANS-Cosmetic, used on Space frames, May be stressed relieved with heat, tears
can be welded without a loss of strength. Yield strength 30,000 PSI
Intermediate Steel - ANS-Yield strength 30,000-70,000 PSI, structural and cosmetic, may be
affected by excessive heat, small tears can be welded w/o loss of strength.
High Strength Steel (HSS) - ANS-Yield strength between 30,000-100,000 PSI, used in cosmetic
and structural, is destroyed by exceeding temperature or time limits, should be replaced if
kinked or torn excess of 1/4 inch, should be straightened cold whenever possible.
Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) - ANS-Very high yield strength exceeding 100,000 PSI, must
never be repaired, door intrusion beams and re-bars.
MIG/GMAW Welding - ANS-
Stick-Arc, and Oxy-Acetylene - ANS-Are not recommended for unibody repair. They heat up to
large of an area that is not needed. you want to weld the smallest area possible.
Compression Spot Welding - ANS-Used by manufactures, but is not recommended for collision
repair. Our equipment makes welds 70-80%of the strength of manufactures. Manufactures may
have technicians use but must follow service manual and special procedures.
MIG Welding Wire (Electrode) - ANS-AWS ER70S-6 AWS ER70S-7
AWS - ANS-American Welding Society Standard
