Manatec launches new alignment system for multiaxle vehicles
The Puducherry-based Manatec Electronics Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new wheel alignment system for commercial vehicles. Called Jumbo 3D, it is built upon an earlier model for commercial vehicle wheel alignment called CCD. A more specialised form of the Jumbo 3D, the Jumbo 3D Super, can carry out the alignment of up to 5-axles of a multi-axle commercial vehicle at one go.
The present practice is to carry out the alignment of multi-axle commercial vehicles by attaching sensors to each axle one by one. This procedure needs more manpower, energy and time. “Apart from one-third of the time required to carry out the alignment of multi-axle commercial vehicles, the alignment system we have developed consumes less energy and needs less manpower,” R Mananathan, Chairman, Manatec Electronics said.
With the Jumbo 3D Super, all that is needed is to fix the image plates in all the wheels. The camera receives images from the five axles and processes them to arrive at a conclusion. More than two-third of the time is saved by using this alignment system compared to the one that requires every axle to be aligned. The new system is also very accurate.
First of its kind
Claiming to be the first of its kind of design to be patented, Mananathan said,“the Jumbo 3D Super was designed and developed locally without any collaboration. All our products are developed by our in-house R&D team of 55 people. We have specialists in electronics, mechanical engineering and software. We have developed PCBs, control boards, lenses, holders, wheel brackets, and plates.” He said there is a commonality of parts in the systems that are used by various wheel alignment workshops and the Jumbo 3D Super. “We have used the same cameras and the same technology. What is new is the software architecture of the Jumbo 3D Super. It is different from the systems that are already in use. The
software architecture was altered to accommodate all the 5-axles,” he said.
Genie 3D for LCVs
For the light commercial vehicle segment, the company has developed a new alignment system called Genie 3D. Mananathan claimed that this is the world’s first in-lift 3D wheel aligner with 2 cameras and the smallest front wheel targets. According to him, Genie is a creatively designed module that houses high definition cameras and electronics to capture images of the targets on the wheels.
Genie 3D is the only aligner in the world using 2 cameras for an in-lift model, he said. The camera need not be removed and refitted every time. A cost effective design, according to Mananathan, Genie 3D has no electronics on wheels. It is easy and safe to handle; has no battery charge or discharge issues. Having the world’s smallest target plates for front wheels, Genie 3D is light and small. It weighs only half a kg, and is 70% lighter than other designs. It can check wheel alignment for a large number of vehicles including LCVs, small cars as well as big trucks, he said.
Cost-effective product
Mananathan said that the solutions provided by the company can check wheel alignment of vehicles at one-third of the cost, and with one-third of the manpower, compared to the conventional systems. Priced at about Rs 10 lakh for Manatec’s new Jumbo 3D wheel aligner, anybody wanting to build a business could look at a return on investment (ROI) of 2 years, he said. As the machine is locally made, its price is competitive; the spares are easily available and cost much less than the imported ones. Local manufacture also helps with service. Manatec carries out on-site service.
“The the technology of the machines that we manufacture locally is the same as the machines that are imported. Software is even better, and is suited to the varying local needs. We supply the machines and also train people how to operate them,” Mananathan said.
He attributed the 30-year old company’s success to its dedication in serving the clients and to the ability to make changes to the organisation to address the market needs. The survival and growth through recession cycles were owing to the exports to over 55 countries. The Jumbo 3D Super is the newest addition to the export product list. It has a good presence in Latin America. He said the Manatec products and technologies are well appreciated by the foreign clients. In the domestic market Manatec is also expanding its network from 55 to 60 dealers.