Efficient Technology For Workshops

ACS 9000: More reliable servicing of air conditioning units thanks to new R1234y refrigerant

FSA 050: Entry-level module into the service market for hybrid and electric vehicles

FWA 4630: Precision wheel alignment in a matter of minutes



Technical developments in the automotive industry continually present new challenges for workshops. When it comes to maintaining and repairing modern passenger vehicles, workshops today require electronic testing equipment, as well as comprehensive expertise. What's more, new vehicle technology frequently demands future-oriented investment in new work­shop systems. A recent example is the change in the refrigerant used in vehicle air conditioning systems. The new ACS 9000 air conditioning ser­vice unit from Bosch enables workshops to handle the new, environmen­tally friendly refrigerant safely and reliably. Another example is the growing number of vehicles fitted with hybrid and electric drives. With the compact FSA 050 diagnostics tester, Bosch is providing workshops with an entry-level module into the service and repair market for new high-voltage sys­tems and their components. Finally, with the FWA 4630 chassis analysis system, Bosch has brought a new 3D wheel alignment system onto the market for rapid, high-precision alignment.



Greater Demands on Air Conditioning Servicing Through New Refrigerant



Air conditioning systems in passenger and commercial vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons, for which type approval has been granted since the begin­ning of 2011, must be operated with the new refrigerant R1234yf. When it comes to servicing, air conditioning units that feature this new, gentle R1234yf refrigerant are subject to more stringent safety requirements. The new ACS 9000 air conditioning service unit from Bosch fulfils all of the relevant safety and environmental requirements and enables the workshop to handle the new refrigerant safely. Thanks to an automated function, the workshop mechanic is guided through the entire testing process to service the air conditioning unit. The innovative technology and precision measur­ing technology behind the ACS 9000 ensure an extremely high level of re­cyclability, reduced loss of refrigerant and accuracy when it comes to filling the refrigerant. The device can be used when servicing air conditioning units in both conventional vehicles with combustion engines and hybrid and electric vehicles.



Technology and Expertise for Working on Hybrid and Electric Vehicles



The handy mobile FSA 050 tester from Bosch is primarily designed for rapid use in workshops and for performing basic checks on hybrid and electric vehicles. When used as a standalone unit, it enables high-voltage tests, such as insulation tests, to be performed to verify the integrity of line connections. What's more, when wirelessly connected to the Bosch FSA 500 and FSA 720/740/760 systems, the unit can also be used to perform comprehensive analyses on the vehicle system.



Bosch also provides the workshop expertise required for working on vehi­cles with hybrid and electric drives. For example, the Bosch training pro­gram features a session on Proficiency in working on intrinsically safe high-voltage vehicles. Technical data, diagnostics and repair instructions are also available for all common hybrid vehicles in the Bosch workshop software Esitronic.



3D Wheel Alignment Using High-Precision CCD Cameras



Thanks to the FWA 4630 wheel alignment system, a single workshop me­chanic can accurately align the wheels on a passenger vehicle in just seven minutes. This represents a time saving of 50% compared with conventional devices. What's more, this speed is also paired with high quality. Meas­urements are performed using two high-precision CCD cameras for each wheel. With ultra-modern 3D wheel alignment systems, there is no need for a complicated, error-prone calibration process. The test starts with rolling rim runout compensation as soon as the mechanic drives the vehicle onto the platform. This means that wheel alignment can be performed at the same time as a tyre change, with minimum additional effort.