By SEMA News Editors
During the 2024 SEMA Show, November 5-8, Las Vegas Convention Center, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will welcome the Rivian Research, Engineering, Service and Collision teams to the SEMA Collision Repair Stage to present on the process an automaker undertakes to research, develop, validate and publish new repair procedures. (Still need to register for SEMA? Visit semashow.com/register.)
The OEM Summit Session I: Value of OEM repair information will be the first of three OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit sessions starting at 12:30 p.m. PST on Thursday, November 7, in the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of SEMA. SCRS' OEM Summit sessions offer attendees the opportunity to learn how vehicles, materials, technologies, and trends are evolving in ways that will impact repair processes and repair businesses.
Explore all available courses in the SCRS Repairer Driven Education (RDE) track.
The case study featured in this presentation will focus 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 that would ensure the vehicle owner would receive a repair that met specific safety and performance aspects.
The session will be presented by David Sosa, manager of Collision Research & Development Workshop for Rivian; Dan Black, senior manager of Service Engineering - Collision for Rivian; and Kelly Logan, director of 3P Service and Collision Repair Programs for Rivian.
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, which, in many cases, mirrors the protocol used in the manufacturing process. It will depict the approval timeline with unique visual examples.
Participants will leave with a greater understanding of 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.
"This session is really the epitome of what the OEM Summit was designed to accomplish for the industry," shared SCRS Chairman Amber Alley. "We've always worked hard to bring presenters and content that provides the repair industry with insight into leading-edge developments in repair. This team and the case study they have to share with the industry are testaments to the dedication and responsiveness OEMs have to real world demands, and the complexity that goes into developing the available information used to result in safe and proper repairs. I'm personally very excited to learn from this session and bring it home to my team."
The 2024 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is currently made possible with additional support from AirPro Diagnostics, Car-O-Liner, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Enterprise Mobility, Reliable Automotive Equipment Inc., REVV ADAS, Toyota Motor North America and SEMA.
Visit scrs.com/rde to register for Repairer Driven Education sessions, or use the SEMA Map Your Show site to explore all available courses in the SCRS Repairer Driven Education (RDE) track.
Still need a 2024 SEMA Show badge? Attendee, buyer, and media registration for the 2024 SEMA Show is open at semashow.com/register. Registration is only $60 for qualified attendees who register by Friday, September 27. Deadlines and fees for other registration categories can be found at semashow.com/register.
For more information about SCRS or to join as a member, visit scrs.com, call 1-877-841-0660 or email info@scrs.com.