The American Council of Frame and Alignment Specialists (ACOFAS), is holding a truck and trailer chassis frame straightening clinic Sept. 6 and 7 in Akron, Ohio.
The first morning will feature Mike Kramer, president of the National Truck and Heavy Equipment Claims Council, or NTHECC, speaking about the requirements and quality that the insurance industry expects in truck and heavy equipment frame straightening.
Mike Hamilton will speak on equipment, personnel and hydraulic safety practices and Tony Porretta will discuss terminology used in the frame straightening industry, things to look for when accessing frame damage, pre-accident damage, and damage other than frame damage that can appear to be frame damage. The class will be divided into groups according to experience for the actual hands-on training.
Sessions in the afternoon and following day will be held in the shop on two separate frame racks. The technicians will be taught the proper techniques and setups for making pulls, pushes for sags, twists, side-sways, rolled rails and damaged cross-members. This session will provide a great opportunity for insurance adjusters to learn how a frame can be brought back to pre-accident condition without expensive replacement. An experienced frame technician will be assigned to insurance and trade press representatives to assist with any questions.
Clinic host is Jim Roark, president of Heavy Chassis Service by Akron Wheel & Frame Inc. The classroom session will be held at Country Inn & Suites, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Reservations for rooms must be made by Aug. 15. Country Inn & Suites can be reached at (330) 926-1233. Mention you are with the American Council of Frame & Alignment Specialists to receive group rates. The cost of the Training Clinic is $150 for technicians from regular member shops, $200 for associate members, which includes members of NTHECC, SSA, and HDDA, and $300 for all others. The cost includes mid-morning and afternoon snacks, lunch both days, a Wednesday evening cookout, training aids, and instructional handout materials.
For details, call Tony Porretta at (215) 634-6413 (e-mail: truckframeman@aol.com), or Jim Roark at (330) 634-1011 (e-mail: jroark@aol.com).
