General Information on machine and SAE testing

1. This third generation package is totally
portable, easily stored and contains
everything needed to perform wheel
straightening repair services
The only tool capable of
Patented
and
SAE Recognized*
Dual-Axis Strain-Relief
Wheel Straightening Repairs
For details see SAE Technical Paper 16SS-0173, which was published April
5, 2016 and presented at the 2016 SAE World Congress and Exhibition
*
™ • Portable
• Sizeable
• Patented
• SAE Tested
• Incomparable
• Portable
• Sizeable
• Patented
• SAE Tested
• Incomparable

2. Portability and Storability
12
18
39
The compact size and lightweight frame makes the unit easily movable. The nylon foot pads enables an operator
to slide the package so easily that it can be stowed to an out-of-the-way location until it is needed. No valuable
floor space is consumed and everything required for professional wheel straightening services is either attached
to the machine or can be packed away in the Contico toolbox.

3. RAM BRACKETS
Rather than disassembling the
Rams and Hoses from the Pumps
to store in the toolbox, the
assembly can remain together.
Simply route the hoses in a
convenient out-of-the-way
position and hang the Rams in
the Brackets. The Rams will nest
securely in the Brackets facing
either forward or backward.
TIME SAVING “READY STORAGE”
Here the machine is prepared in the “Ready Storage” configuration
with the hydraulic straightening components fully assembled. Even
the Dies and Rockers can be left on the Rams for immediate access.

4. Compact Size and Swing Change Capability
The small footprint makes the unit easily storable, yet the machine can swing a full 22 inch wheel. And the bolt-together frame concept
allows the ability to increase swing. By simply disassembling the frame and changing only four parts, the machine swing can be converted to
any swing size desired. The two units depicted on the left shows the standard swing. The unit on the right is shown with a 24” swing.
Base Plate
Each of two
Side Members
Swing Arm
12
18
39
1
2
3&4
30” Swing

5. The Patented NewArc™ machine can be used to Capture, Measure,
and Straighten all in a single rigid and accurate setup. Here are the
features of the NewArc™ machine:

7. Patented Strain-Relief Straightening Method
Dual Axis Single Plane Dual Axis Dual Plane
Multi-Axis and Multi-Plane capability produces the most effective straightening method. In each of these depictions, two rams are in
press positions against the bend location. The rams in the left photo are both in the same plane. The right view shows rams staggered
into two separate planes. The rams can also be positioned at varying angles of choice.
Pressure from each axis is applied gradually and independently. Frequently moving the setup slightly produces the patented massaging
action. This is less stressful on the metal and achieves maximum possible strain relief to the damaged area.
Since pressure originates from the rigid mainshaft, forces are concentrated on the damaged portion of the wheel only. With each axis
sharing the load, a greater amount of cumulative force can be applied. No other machine is capable of this patented process. Many
more setup configurations are possible with the NewArc™ machine.
Single Axis
Dual Axis
Alternating Pressure Applications
See Proof of Dual-Axis Superiority. View Photos of Actual Straightening Sequence.

8. INCOMPARABLE VERSATILITY
A two axis setup shown with both
rams at different angles and staggered
in different planes. This spreads the
straightening forces over a larger area.
Here a third axis has been added,
which is 90 degrees to the
mainshaft. All axes are at different
angles and in separate planes.
The last two depictions show four axis setups. Because the Pusher Platens are hexagon,
even more rams could be added to these setups, which apply forces at different locations
of the wheel. The setup on the far right can be used to correct lateral runout. Although
all of these setups are certainly possible, they would be time consuming. But these
drawings serve to illustrate straightening strategies of which no other machine is capable.

9. Groundbreaking Discovery
In February of 2015, Mr. Ken Archibald of Independent
Test Services, became involved as an expert witness for
one of the major auto companies in a case involving a
cracked wheel. The plaintiff in the case alleged that the
company’s wheels were cracking under normal use.
Archibald and his team were contracted to test the
OEM’s wheels.
The wheels were tested in every possible way and none
were found to crack. Archibald next decided to do some
testing on an experimental level. It was during this
testing that an astounding discovery was made.
Archibald had always known that if a bent wheel remains
in service, it will eventually crack. But he had never been
able to replicate such a crack in laboratory conditions
and he had been trying to do so for over 15 years. The
experimental testing conducted by Archibald’s team had
ground-breaking results.

10. Groundbreaking Discovery
First they bent several test wheels in a controlled manner, as
shown here. All were only slightly bent (.070”) and all bends
were the same on each wheel. Then the testing began. By
setting up their testing machines in an entirely new
configuration, they were finally able to consistently replicate
a fatigue crack exactly as it occurs on a bent wheel that is
driven on over time.

11. All of the bent wheels that were tested cracked. The
longest one lasted before finally cracking was a little over
400,000 cycles.
This test discovery confirmed what Archibald already knew,
which is that wheels will not crack unless driven on while
bent and even a slightly bent wheel will crack over time.
After noting the results of this testing, Archibald naturally
became curious to know if a bent wheel that was
straightened would stand up any better in the same test.
Groundbreaking Discovery

12. Mr. Archibald called us to ask if we would like to participate in some wheel testing. Without hesitation we accepted his
offer. He explained what he had learned and told us that he had two identical wheels available for additional testing. He
planned to bend one wheel in the same manner as the previous ones and wanted it straightened for testing. When we
learned that the bend was only slight by typical standards (.070”), we knew we would be able to straighten it easily.
Using our patented method carefully, we were able to straighten the wheel to under .020”. We knew that the wheel could
easily be balanced in that condition but we did not know how it would perform in the new test that Archibald had
discovered. The straightened wheel was tested in the same manner and the results were amazing. At 1,000,000 cycles,
the wheel still had not cracked and the test was suspended.
Even though this was good news, Archibald explained that the results on this tested wheel could be considered “a fluke”,
by SAE engineers and that would deem the test invalid. The only solution to strengthen our position was to conduct a
second test on a different wheel.
Groundbreaking Discovery

13. This time Archibald suggested that he bend the wheel more
severely, just to strengthen the case against another “fluke”.
We agreed that a bend severe enough to cause an air leak
would be sufficient. The wheel was bent to .250”.
We straightened the wheel in the same manner and it was
tested. The results of this test were nothing less than
astonishing. The wheel remained on the testing machine for
2,865,560 cycles without cracking and the test was suspended.
After several meetings with Mr. Archibald following the
testing, it was decided that a technical paper about his new
discovery and our straightening process be submitted to the
Wheel Committee of Society of Automotive Engineers for peer
review. On October 1, 2015 the paper was submitted and
reviewed by SAE experts.
The Engineering Board subsequently approved it and it is
recorded as SAE Technical Paper 2016-01-1573, which can be
obtained online at sae.org. View the abstract page.
Groundbreaking Discovery

14. The SAE paper will stress the two key conclusions reached through the Archibald testing:
1. Wheels that are bent will crack over time.
2. Bent wheels, straightened with our patented process, can be safely returned to service. It will not crack over the
reasonable life of the wheel and it will pass every safety test required by the SAE for brand new wheels.
It is not difficult to conclude that this evidence presents a possible safety and liability issue to repair facilities. It is then
logical to assume that wheel inspection will soon become a regular practice during routine dealership maintenance
programs. In other words, the repair facility could be liable if they DO NOT straighten a bent wheel that is found during
maintenance inspections. This is an issue that will soon be a hot topic in the auto and insurance industries.
The bottom line is that every repair facility in this country will want (and need) a wheel straightening machine. And what
they are going to want is something cheap, small, portable, and something that won’t take up any valuable floor space.
And of course they will want the only machine capable of our patented process, which is recognized and approved by the
Society of Automotive Engineers.
What This Development Means