Collision Repair Training | United States
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2003 Archives
HARDWARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Special NeedsPlastic exterior body panels require the use of specialized fasteners that will allow the panel to expand or contract as the temperature changes (see Figure 4). This is called thermal expansion. The same type of fasteners that were removed should be used for installation. These fasteners have a shoulder on the bolt to prevent damaging the mounting area of the plastic panel. Installing a standard bolt may create a condition where the panel will not “move” in the area that it’s supposed to, creating the possibility of the panels rubbing together when the temperature changes. It’s critical that the correct fasteners are used (see Figure 5). Single-use fasteners are also a consideration. Plastic rivets and retainers often must be replaced when they have been removed so an inventory of these items needs to be available. In addition to fasteners, other items such as masking tape, sandpaper, corrosion protection materials, and other supplies can be entered into the system so that these items can be inventoried and the amount used on each job can be recorded. This allows the exact amount of products that were used to repair the vehicle to be tracked and documented. ConclusionNot having the correct fasteners to reassemble a vehicle can be eliminated with the use of a hardware management system. The “empty bin” syndrome will no longer be the cause of a delayed repair. |
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