Claim that device will revolutionise panelbeating

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 33

Claim that device will revolutionise panelbeating

PA Dunedin Two Dunedin men have invented a device they say will revolutionise panelbeating. Mr Don Sinclair, a tutor in panelbeating at Otago Polytechnic, and Mr Lex Grimwood, a Dunedin electrical engineer, have a copyright on the computer programme for the device, called Auto Bodyscan.

The device has a probe which can be moved freely round the body of a car which needs panelbeating, taking measurements at various points on the car and transforming the information into a three-dimen-sional image on a computer screen. Inside the computer software is the undamaged image of the same model of car. The two images are superimposed so that the panelbeater can see how much the damaged car needs to be

pulled straight. The probe can be suspended from the roof of a panelbeating shop on a frame and feed the measurements direct into the computer, which can draw an accurate reproduction of both the damaged and repaired car. “Manuals, like logbooks, and the human element of error in the old measuring systems are gone,” Mr Sinclair said.

“With this you simply press a .button and the computer does the measuring.”

Mr Sinclair had the basic idea for the invention, and Mr Grimwood wrote the computer programme.

They financed the venture through panelbeating, and plan to replace their present computer, on loan from the University of Otago, with a new computer that they will own themselves. The idea came to Mr

Sinclair 3>/ 2 years ago, when he was in the United States looking’ at the latest panelbeating technology. “I decided a change in direction was needed, and approached Lex Grimwood when I got back, and it slowly came together.” They have formed a company, but have no immediate plans to begin producing the scanner on a large scale. “When things go ahead, we want to keep it in Otago. Farming has gone down the drain, and it would be good to put some money into the south again,” said Mr Sinclair. A seminar was held at the polytechnic to show the scanner to panelbeat-ing-shop proprietors, insurance agents and other interested people. Mr Sinclair thought this would generate sales. ? “We hope to make it

cheaper than present equipment, and since it is so simple and easy to use, it will sell.” Mr Sinclair said it would sell in places such as the United States, where the computer drawings could be used in evidence in courts, showing exactly what had been done to the car, with before-and-after examples of work. Attempts have been made overseas to use lasers to measure cars, but these have proved to be expensive and fragile. “The beauty of this is that it is simple and cheap,” Mr Sinclair said. At present, the two men do not know how much a new scanner would cost a panelbeating shop and have' had no firm offer from buyers. “I guess we will know »when we get an otter,” Mr Sinclair said. *