Recordings of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) 2024 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit sessions are now available to watch online.

The summit is designed to put the audience in a room with innovators in automotive structural design and technology.

The summit package includes three hour-long sessions presented live at the 2024 SEMA Show for $99. Each session can also be purchased individually for $49. Current SCRS members are entitled to a 20% discount on purchases in the SCRS Online Education Platform.

Session I: The Value of OEM Repair Information:

In this presentation and panel discussion, members of the Rivian Research, Engineering, Service, and Collision teams present on the process an automaker undertakes to research, develop, validate and publish new repair procedures for the industry. The case study focuses on the developmental life cycle of the front frame rail section concept. Through field data it was determined that the front frame rail could incur damage even in low-speed impact, and that the market would benefit from a safe, and cost-effective alternative to a complete “skateboard” replacement.

“Rivian embarked on an intensive validation process to develop and test solutions to ensure the vehicle owner would receive a repair that met specific safety and performance aspects,” an SCRS press release states. “Audience members will gain a better understanding of how automakers prioritize procedure development and timing, and how rigorous testing protocol can create greater efficiency in similar future procedure developments throughout the vehicle.

“The panel will give a unique overview of testing methodology, in many cases mirroring the protocol used in the manufacturing process, and will depict the timeline of approval with unique visual examples. Understand the consequences of improper repairs and the process to validate the outcome of misplaced welds, incorrect cut or section locations, and the effect on non-visible structural aspects of the vehicle.”

Session II: How Telematics Technologies are Evolving the Consumer Experience

In this session, the speakers discuss telematics technology stemming from vehicle and consumer solutions as a linchpin in the transformation of the consumer experience from crash detection, onsite support, first notice of loss, damage identification, system restoration, and claims processing, according to the release.

Real-time digital data directly from the crash scene improves the accuracy and speed of how the industry can serve the consumer, and the availability of information today has evolved the relationship through enhanced crash detection, accident reconstruction, and consumer communication.

This session delves into real ways in which automotive and consumer telematics technologies are revolutionizing the relationship between the consumer and service industries intent on setting new industry standards for safety, satisfaction, and technological integration.

The session explores the transformative impact of accident reconstruction and crash detection technologies on the consumer experience in the collision repair and insurance industries.

Session III: Laser Welding in Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing and Developing Technologies for Repair Solutions

Rex Alexandre, principal engineer at the Handheld Laser Institute and former SpaceX senior welding engineer, joins Dean Brennan of IPG Photonics to demonstrate how laser welding has become popularized as an integral manufacturing technique in transportation industries. Along with Jeff Poole of I-CAR they explore research and testing of the application in the collision repair industry as well as challenges and considerations for photon joining process implementation.

This session focuses on the manufacturing application of laser welding in the OEM automotive and aerospace production process.

Viewers will gain an understanding of laser welding engineering objectives in a production environment and the evolving landscape of handheld laser welding technologies for repair process solutions, the SCRS release states.

The group discusses fundamental research being conducted to identify the opportunity for utilization, best practices, and industry standards governing handheld laser welding that may set the groundwork for its introduction as a future replacement methodology.

Online attendees can expect the same unique content they would receive in a classroom setting during the SEMA Show.

Additional sessions from previous summits are also available through rde.scrs.com.

Images

Featured image: Dean Brennan, IPG Photonics sales manager; Rex Alexandre, former senior welding engineer for SpaceX and principal engineer at the Handheld Laser Institute; and Jeff Poole, I-CAR lead subject matter expert, during the 2024 SCRS OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit on Nov. 7. (Lurah Lowery/Repairer Driven News).