Even a slight wheel misalignment can cause tyre wear, creates air pollution and can end up costing operators more in fuel. AES is aiming to solve the problem with the latest wheel alignment system from JOSAM.
Automotive Equipment Solutions UK is offering the latest JOSAM Cam-aligner wheel alignment system to the UK transport industry to help diagnose and correct misaligned vehicles which, the company says, represent around 60% of the UK industry.
As JOSAM’s sole distributor, AES claims the Cam-aligner is a compact, mobile and easy-to-use system. The system uses patented camera technology used on many European truck production lines.
AES UK Director Tom Coad, explains: “This easy-to-use system lines up all axles to the vehicle frame and, with just a half turn of the wheel, readings are sent to the laptop or tablet to allow instant diagnosis and subsequent live adjustments. Then the operator can make the adjustments in the inspection pit or ramp with their tablet or laptop at the ready.
“Less advanced wheel alignment systems typically just check from the drive axle or hang off the wheel itself but because many of these can be out of alignment or, in the case of wheels, damaged, it’s very difficult to get accurate, repeatable readings”
According to AES, one degree out of alignment between the wheels can cause a 10% deficiency in tyre wear, resulting in increased fuel consumption. Also, argues Tom, the ongoing mechanical stress caused by serious misalignment will compromise the vehicle’s performance and drivability while, from an environmental standpoint, continual tyre abrasion greatly contributes to air pollution as microparticulates are dispersed into the atmosphere.
“This is where the Cam-aligner comes in,” continues Tom. “The advantage is that, owing to the lightweight mobility of the system, if required, technicians can go straight to the vehicle to carry out all requisite checks and corrections and the operator saves on the downtime and cost of having to send the vehicle back to the dealer.” In this regard, Tom points out that the system is approved by Mercedes-Benz Truck, Bus & Van, and is recommended by Scania, Volvo Truck and Bus, and Renault Truck and Van.
With the right equipment, quickly diagnosing a truck is the easy part of wheel alignment. The more difficult and time-consuming part of the process, AES argues, is performing the adjustments and corrective measures. Having the right equipment is one thing, but having the correct training, commercial vehicle expertise and back-up support is also necessary.
Commenting further regarding the contributory factors to air pollution and the problem of harmful emissions through excessive tyre wear, Tom comments: “There are numerous studies which share the common conclusion that tyre wear is a major source of air pollution. Our own recent industry research found that 60% of vehicle operators only attend to tyre wear issues once a problem has been identified. This ‘reactive’ approach highlights two key areas of concern: firstly, incorrect alignment increases rolling resistance and therefore increases fuel consumption; secondly, incorrect alignment results in premature tyre wear and once a tyre has started to wear unevenly it is virtually impossible to correct, so it will continue to wear unevenly. Taking this approach, the costs to business and the environment are significant.”
AES UK recommends a policy of proactive tyre management because, as Tom explains, even the smallest axle displacement left undiagnosed can cause a noticeable effect. The JOSAM Cam-aligner software, along with the wheel alignment aspect, also has an in-built tyre management system which allows you to store tyre pressures and tread depths for a particular vehicle alongside the ‘before and after’ wheel alignment reports.
If, for example, one wheel rolls 5mm per metre to the right and the other wheel rolls 5mm to the left, the wheels will constantly attempt to diverge from each other, which causes rolling resistance, uneven tyre wear and increased fuel consumption.
“By using an effective wheel-alignment solution,” concludes Tom, “operators of most vehicles, including HGV, PSV and LCV, can reduce tyre failure and improve road safety while keeping transport and environmental costs down.”
