Chief University introduces Design Based Repair training

"Design based repair" means following OEM repair procedures to efficiently, economically and properly return a collision-damaged vehicle to its original design specifications. As vehicle manufacturers continue to develop new designs incorporating a wide range of advanced materials, it is essential that technicians repairing those vehicles after a collision thoroughly understand the diverse metals, fibers and plastics used, as well as the processes for reforming, reshaping and replacing them.

"Change is occurring at a staggering rate within the automotive industry as manufacturers engineer solutions to meet federal mandates for improved crash survivability and increased fuel economy," says Richard Perry, Chief training manager. "What was once a common misalignment may no longer be an obvious repair. In modern vehicles, collision damage may be transmitted to areas that previously would have been unaffected in a similar accident. Technicians who haven't been trained to look for this damage can easily miss it, resulting in supplements and longer repair cycle times. As a leader in collision repair training, Chief is dedicated to providing education and training on how to best return damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition through design based repair techniques."

The Chief University Design Based Repair course teaches a systematic approach to damage analysis that accurately reveals the structural, steering and suspension damage present in a vehicle, as well as procedures for correcting that damage. Because accurate vehicle height, length and width measurements are critical to a quality repair that meets OE design specifications, computerized measuring is also covered.

Technicians attending the two-day Design Based Repair course will:

• Become familiar with advanced steels and other sophisticated materials currently used in vehicle design.
  
• Understand how these materials are used and the repair methods they require.
  
• Understand the strategic placement of these materials in a vehicle's structural design.
  
• Understand the principles of collision theory and how they apply to newer vehicles.
  
• Learn a systematic approach to structural damage analysis.
  
• Learn to measure collision damage and verify visual inspection findings.
  
• Participate in hands-on repair methods.

Chief University's Design Based Repair course combines classroom training with hands-on demonstrations and practice. It is led by professional certified instructors in training facilities across North America. A $655 registration fee includes comprehensive training materials and a certificate of completion.

Chief University offers courses for collision repair technicians, estimators and insurance appraisers. Most are approved for I-CAR points through the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance program. Chief training also has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for compliance with the Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) Standards. Additional Chief training topics include: Computerized Measuring Training, Full Frame Analysis & Repair Planning, Unitized Body Analysis & Repair Planning, Advanced Steering & Suspension, Advanced Frame Analysis, and Structural Damage Analysis.

Design Based Repair will be offered twice in December and numerous times throughout 2011.

For more information about Chief Automotive Technologies visit www.chiefautomotive.com.