LAUNCH TECH LAUNCH KWA-300 User manual

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAligner
i
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Copyright 2000 by LAUNCH TECH. CO., LTD. All
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LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAligner
ii
Precautions
lPlease read the User’sManual and the
Installation and Parts Manual carefully before
operating KWA-300 3D.
lOnly the qualified techniciancanoperate the
WheelAligner.
lThe operator must haveknowledgeof computer
application and basic theory of wheel
alignment.
lThe power voltage of KWA-300 3D is
AC220V±10% 50±1Hz/ AC110V±10% 60±1Hz
It canbe customized accordingto the
requirements of customer）.The 3-terminal
socket must be used, and the earth terminal
must be well grounded. If the power voltage is
not stable, please purchase and use AC voltage
stabilizer.
lBefore installing3D wheel aligner,thelift should
be installed at firstaccording to the
requirements. Regularly check the lift for
fastening and leveling, ensuring the test
accuracy and personnel safety; Take away the
roadblocks around the lift toprevent influencing
operation.
lDon’t place KWA-300 3D on a vibrated object or
an oblique surface. Avoid direct sunlight and
moisture.
lTurn offthepower afteroperation.Check all
bolts and partsaftermaintenance,and tighten
the slackened bolts and parts in turn for safety.
lUsing the computer visual technology,and
recognizing the targets mounted on the wheels
through the camerawith high resolution, it is
necessary for KWA-300 3Dto prevent the
outside infrared rays (e.g. sun-lights) from
directly lighting to the targets and reflectingto
the cameras, and it is necessary to avoid
blocking the light way fromthe targets and the
cameras for along timeduring theinstrument is
working.
lThe targets of KWA-300 3D wheel aligner are
the key components for testing, do not damage
their structures when using and storing, keep
the surface of target clean.Please use the soft
cloth dipped with aappropriate amount ofthe
neutral detergentor theabsolutealcoholto
wipe the surfaceof targetlightly ifthere are
some smuts on it.
lThe wires inside the cabinet andthe camera
posts are connected compactly.Don’tmove
them after first installation.
lThe precision position calibration has been
performed for the cameras after first installation,
the user cannot moveor wobblethe camera
post no matter during or after using it.
lIf without approvalof thesupplier,please do not
disassemble the mainunit and camera post in
order to avoid damaging the components,
influencing the test accuracy and increasing the
cost sand difficulties of maintenance and repair.
For the damage caused by un-ratified
disassembling will not be covered by the
Warranty.
lThe fastening method should be selected
correctly and flexibly according to the actual
conditions of the rim, the turning force should
be equal when fastening, after fastening, please
pull the wheel clamp lightly to check it for
fastening and connect safety cordwell.
lThe force should be equal when using each
knob, please don’tfasten it too tight in orderto
avoid damaging the locking mechanism or other
parts.
lAfter using, please cut offallpower supply
timely.
lThe cameras of KWA-300 3D wheel aligner are
the key optical componentsfor testing, do not
impact them when using, keep the surface of
the camera lens clean. Please use the lens
paper to wipe the surfaceof the camera lens
lightly if there are some smuts on it.

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAligner
iii
TableofContents
Introduction...............................................................1-1
Definition................................................................1-1
When Is WheelAlignment Required.......................1-1
Main VehicleAlignment Parameter........................1-1
Toe-in and Toe-out.............................................1-1
Kingpin Inclination..............................................1-1
Caster................................................................1-2
Toe-out on Turns................................................1-2
Thrust angle.......................................................1-2
Wheelbase Difference........................................1-3
Tread Difference................................................1-3
Left (right) lateral offset angle............................1-3
Axle offset angle................................................1-3
Delay angle........................................................1-3
Included angle...................................................1-3
Functions and Features.........................................1-4
Specification...........................................................1-4
Requirements on Surroundings..............................1-4
Working Principle...................................................1-4
Structures..................................................................2-1
Overall Structures..................................................2-1
WheelAligner Main Unit.........................................2-1
Cameras and their posts........................................2-1
Wheel Clamps and Targets....................................2-2
Communication cables...........................................2-2
Turntables..............................................................2-2
Steering Wheel Holder...........................................2-2
Brake Pedal Depressor..........................................2-3
Wheel Clamp Tie....................................................2-3
Basic Operation Procedures...................................3-1
Get Vehicle Information..........................................3-1
WheelAlignment Checking....................................3-1
Adjustment.............................................................3-1
Test-drive................................................................3-1
Operation Instructions.............................................4-1
Preparation.............................................................4-1
Descriptions for pushbuttons..................................4-1
Vehicle Standards..................................................4-1
Data Query........................................................4-2
Data Edit............................................................4-3
User Management.............................................4-3
Client Management................................................4-3
AlignmentTest........................................................4-3
Register the Information of Vehicle to be Tested4-3
Test Setting........................................................4-4
StartTest............................................................4-7
System Calibration.............................................4-7
Target Monitoring...............................................4-7
CheckTest Result..............................................4-7
Language Setting...............................................4-7
Help........................................................................4-8
Exit.........................................................................4-8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)........................5-1
Industrial Computer Cannot Start Up, WithoutAny
Prompts..................................................................5-1
Computer Cannot Enter Windows2000..................5-1
Mouse and Keyboard does not Respond...............5-1
Printer does not Respond......................................5-1
KWA-300 3D Program Does Not Run....................5-1
Why the blocking tip box does not appear when you
turn the steering wheel and block the rear target?.5-1
When you turn the steering wheel, the tip box
appears in case of the light path has been blocked,
how to handle it?....................................................5-1
Why does it have obvious difference between left
and right minimum turning radius after alignment?5-1
Maintenance..............................................................6-1
Computer...............................................................6-1
Wheel Clamp and Target........................................6-1
Printer.....................................................................6-1
Posts and signal cables.........................................6-1
Turntables..............................................................6-1

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerIntroduction
1-1
Introduction
Thank youfor using KWA-3003D wheel aligner
manufactured by LAUNCH TECH CO., LTD.
Definition
KWA-300 3D Wheel Aligner is aprecision
measurement instrument designed to measurethe
wheel alignment parameters and compare them
with the specifications provided by vehicle
manufacturer.It also gives instructions to the user
for performing corresponding adjustments so as to
get the beststeeringperformanceandreducetire
wear.
WhenIsWheelAlignment
Required
lThe driver mustfirmlyhold thesteering wheel
to maintain a straight-ahead driving.
lAbnormal wear of tires occurred, such as single
side wear,concave-convexity wear and
featheriness wear.
lToo heavy ortoolight steering, orshakingat
high-speed driving.
lWhen the tire(s), steering joint or shock
absorber are replaced.
lWhen the vehicle is impacted.
lWhen the vehicle has driven for the first
3000km or 10000km.
MainVehicleAlignment
Parameter
The wheel alignment mainlyconsistsof camber,
caster,toe-in, kingpin inclination, toe-out on turns,
wheelbase difference, tread difference, etc. They
are designed mainly toimprovethe steering
performance and driving stability of the vehicle,and
reduce tire wear.
Toe-inand Toe-out
The toe settingisthe amountbywhich thefrontor
rear wheels point inwardsor outwards atthe frontof
the wheel in relation to each other (see Fig.1.1).
When the wheels point inwards they are saidto
toe-in. Toe-in figures aregiven apositive value.
Conversely when the wheels point outwards they
are said to be toe-out and the figures are shown as
a negative value.
Fig.1.1
The purpose of correct toe isto ensure that the
wheels run parallel when thevehicle is driving.An
incorrect toe setting may affect the stabilityand
controllability of the vehicle.
Camber
Camber is the leaning of the wheel inwardsor
outwards from the vertical.
If the road wheel leans outwards from the vertical, it
is said to have positive camber and when leaning
inwards from the vertical -negative camber,looking
from the front or rear of the vehicle. See Fig.1.2.
Fig.1.2
Camber is measured in degrees.
KingpinInclination
Kingpin Inclination (KPI) is the angle ofinclinationof
the king pin towards thecentre-line of the vehicle
from the vertical (see Fig.1.3).

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerIntroduction
1-2
Fig.1.3
Correct KingpinInclination can equalizethe loads
applied on bearings so that the life of bearings can
be prolonged and thecontrollabilityof steeringis
improved.
Without the inclination, thecontrollability ofthe
steering may beaffected; further more,the vehicle
weight and the ground counterforce may cause
significant stress inthe axleand finallydamagethe
axle.
Correct inclinationof king pinis also helpfulforthe
vehicle to restore itsstraight-aheadposition after
steering.
Kingpin Inclination is determined when the vehicle
suspension is designed. It is not service adjustable.
Caster
Caster is thetilting ofthe kingpin eitherforwardsor
backwards from vertical, as viewed from side of the
vehicle. See Fig.1.4
Fig.1.4
When the king pin is tilted backwards from the
vertical, caster is positive. When the king pin istilted
forwards, caster is negative.
Caster angle influences thedirectional stabilityof
the steering. Toincreasethe tendency ofthe
steering to self-centre, the steering will normally be
designed with positive caster.
Toe-outon Turns
Toe-out on turns isdefined asthe difference ofthe
steering angle between the two front wheels when
turning left or right by 20°as shown in Figure 1.5.
The inner wheel will turn more degrees than the
outer wheel when the vehicle is steered, the
difference is usually about 2°.This angle is
designed to reduce steering resistance.
Fig.1.5
Note: This angle can be tested when aturntable
is equipped for KWA-300 3D.
Thrustangle
The trust angle is defined according to the driven
mode of vehicle.
lRear wheel driven: the thrust angle equals half
of the toe-in difference between the tworear
wheels.As shown in Fig.1.6.
lFront wheeldriven: the thrustangleequals half
of the toe-in difference between the two front
wheels.
lFour-wheel driven: the thrust angle equals half
of the toe-in difference between the two front
wheels plus half of the toe-in difference
between the two rear wheels.
The trust angle isdefinedas positivewhenthe trust
line is towards left, and negative when the line is
towards right.
If the thrust angle is not zero, the vehicle will have
the side-moving trend. In this case, adjust the front

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerIntroduction
1-3
toe-in of the drive wheels first, and then adjust the
toe-in of driven wheels.
Fig.1.6
Wheelbase Difference
Wheelbase difference is defined as the angle
between the jointline ofthe centreof two rear
wheels and thatof the front wheels.It is positive
when distance between the centre of the right
wheels is large than that of left wheels; and
negative otherwise. If the tread is available from the
vehicle specifications, then the wheelbase
difference can be also expressed byangle. See Fig.
1.7
+
Fig. 1.7
TreadDifference
Tread difference is defined as the angle between
the joint line of the ground-contact point of left
wheels and that of the rightwheels. It is positive
when distance between the centre of the rear
wheels is large than that of front wheels; and
negative otherwise. If the wheelbases are available
from the vehicle specifications, thenthe tread
difference can be also expressed byangle. See Fig.
1.8.
+
Fig. 1.8
Left(right)lateral offsetangle
The relative offset in lateral direction between front
axle and rear axle of vehicle is axle offset. When
rear wheel axle isoffset to right fromthe front wheel,
the axle offsetis positive, otherwise isnegative. The
angle between the bisector of the tread difference
angle and the thrust line is axle offset angle.
Axleoffsetangle
The relative offset in lateral direction between front
and rear axle of vehicle is axleoffset. When LR (RR)
wheel is offsetoutside fromLF (RF) wheel, theleft
(right) lateral offset is positive, otherwise is negative.
The angle betweenthe connectingline fromthe
front wheel center point to the rear wheel center
point (same side) and the thrust line is left (right)
lateral offset.
Delay angle
The angle between the connecting line from the LF
(LR) wheel center pointto theRF(RR) wheel center
point and the perpendicular ofthe longitudinal
geometry center line is called front (rear) delay
angle. Whenthe rightwheelon thefront (rear) axle
is behind the left wheel, the front (rear) delay (angle)
is positive, otherwise is negative.
Includedangle
The sum of the KPI (Kingpin inclination) and the
wheel camber is called included angle.

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerIntroduction
1-4
FunctionsandFeatures
lComplete test: The KWA-300 3D Wheel
Aligner can be usedto measurethe most
wheel alignmentparameters,such asfront
wheel toe-in, front wheel camber,caster,
Kingpin inclination, maximal steering angle,
thrust angle, toe-out on turns, rear wheel
toe-in, rear wheel camber,thrust angle,
wheelbase difference, tread difference, etc.
lBrand new 3D computer vision measurement:
automatically test the aligning angles with high
performance camera.
lPositive targets: thereare anyelectronic
elements inside the targets, and no cables
between the targets and the main unit, so the
targets are easy to be fastened onthe wheel
clamps.
lProvides many kinds ofauto testprocesses
and diagram operating interfaces, verysimple
and clear to operate;the whole test process
can be performed automatically,and there are
some humanitytips onthe corresponding
interfaces.
lComplete databank: wheel alignmentdata of
over 20,000 vehicle models is stored in the
system. User can also add new data to the
databank.
lAutomatically recordthe historydata, easy for
customer measurement.
lStandard printer to print test result.
lProvide real-time help with help system.
Specification
Item Resolution Test Range
Total toe-in ±0.03º0~±20º
Camber ±0.03º0~±20º
Caster ±0.06º0~±25º
Kingpin Inclination ±0.06º0~±25º
Maximal steering angle ±0.06º0~±30º
Maximal rim size 20 inches
Maximal wheelbase it can measure 4000mm
Notes:
1. The right of changing the design will be reserved by manufacturer;
2. The above accuracy can be confirmed only when the user follows the specified operation procedures.
RequirementsonSurroundings
Item Specification
Ambient temperature
0~+50℃
Relative humidity ≤85%
Light requirement No direct strong lights irradiate the target and reflect to the
camera
The height difference
between the left rail <1mm (left to right); <2mm (front to back)
and right rail of lift
Working Principle
The working frameworkof KWA-300 3D Wheel
Aligner is as shown in Fig.1.9. The whole system is
composed of data collecting system and data
processing system.

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerIntroduction
1-5
Fig.1.9
The data collecting system consists of 4cameras
with high resolutionand 4targets. The left and right
cameras capture the imageson theleft and right
targets, and transmit them to the data processing
system via the image collector.The targetsare
attached on the wheel rimsvia wheel clamps.So
the geometrical relationships among 4wheel rims
are calculated accordingto the images capturedby
cameras from thetargets andfurther toconfirmthe
aligning parameters of the wheels.
The data processing system is the main unit of
KWA-300 3D.It consistsof an industrial computer,
power supplysystem and interfaces. Itsfunctionis
to execute the operation commands, process the
data and display theinformation together withthe
original dataof vehiclemanufacturer.Italso gives
instructions for making adjustment to the vehicle
and print out corresponding report.
The wheel aligner comparesthe measured results
with the original data of vehicle manufacturer and
gives instructions to the user for adjustment, so its
databank should containenough information.
KWA-300 3DWheelAlignercontains wheel
alignment databank of over 20,000 vehicle types all
over the world. User can also add newvehicle
wheel alignmentdata inthedatabank when
necessary.
Industrial computer, image collector
keyboard、mouse
Printer
Monitor
Left camera
Right camera
Right
target
Lefttarget

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerStructures
2-1
Structures
Overall Structures
KWA-300 3D Wheel Aligner mainly consists of the
wheel aligner main unit, cameras and their posts,
wheel clamps, targets, communication cables,
mechanical turntables, steering wheel holder and
brake pedal depressor, etc.
WheelAlignerMainUnit
The main unit is an operation control platform. It
consists of cabinet, computergroup,interface circuit
system and power supplyassembly,etc.,as shown
in Fig.2.1.
The computer group includes industrial computer,
monitor,keyboard, mouse,printer and image
collector, etc. The monitor, mouse and printer are on
the top of the cabinet. The industrial computer is
inside the upper compartment ofthe cabinet,the
image collector is inside the industrial computer and
the keyboard is installed on the keyboard drawer.
The power supply assembly includes power lead,
power socket, tubefuse andthe powersupply main
switch. The power supply master switch pushbutton
is installed attheupper partof the leftsideboardof
cabinet, the tube fuse(AC2205A) is installedatthe
power supplysocket, and thepowersupply socket
is at the lower compartment of the cabinet.
Fig.2.1
Camerasandtheirposts
KWA-300 3D wheel aligner includes 4CCD
cameras, whichrespectivelycapturethe images
from the 4targets attached on the vehicle wheels.
The cameras are mounted inside the steel housings
as shown in Fig. 2.2. The accurate calibration for
camera has been performed during first installation,
so it isnot necessary foruser tocalibrateit when
using the instrument.
Fig.2.2
The two posts KWA-300 3D wheel aligner are used
for containing and fastening theCCD cameras and
their signal cables. The two posts are respectively
mounted on the ground with anchor bolts, and the
position relationship between the posts and the
cabinet is as shown in Fig. 2.3.
(Note: No matter during or after using, ensure to

LAUNCH KWA-3003DWheelAlignerStructures
2-2
prevent thepostsfrom swaying, otherwise the
position of camerawill be changed, influencing
the test result ).
Fig.2.3
Wheel ClampsandTargets
KWA-300 3D wheel aligner totally has 4
target-clamp assemblies, whichare thekey
components forwholetest system, andarethe
objects monitored by cameras. There are some
bull-eye signs for installing the wheel on the targets
as shown in Fig.2.4.
Fig.2.4
Whether the wheelclampsare fastenedcorrectlyor
not has the greatrelations withthe testresult. Turn
the adjusting knob to adjust the spanbetween
wheel claws until itis proper,and thenattachthe
clamp to the wheel rim. Adjust the knobto makethe
wheel clamp fixed on wheel rim tightly.Use the
wheel clamptie tobindthe wheelclampandthe
wheel rim together.
The installation of wheelclamp iscrucialto thetest
result. The claws should be in even contact with the
wheel rim without touching the lead weight.
Avoid hitting during operation. Otherwise, distortion
may be causedand thetest result maybe
influenced.
Communicationcables
There are 4signal cables and 2power supply
cables for infraredlight between the main unitand
the cameras of KWA-300 3D wheel aligner,which
should be fixedon theground atfirst installation,
and should be protected with the bushing. Ensure to
prevent the liquid from entering the inside of the
cable bushing or to avoid putting the heavy on it, in
order to prevent the bushing from being damaged.
Turntables
KWA-300 3D has two mechanical turntables
(standard configuration, see Fig.2.5).
Fig.2.5 mechanical turntables
The turntables are placedat the front wheel
positions of the vehicle on the lift.
Use the lock pin tolock the turntable before driving
the vehicle on.Pullout thelock pin afterthe vehicle
is stopped andthefront wheels areat thecentersof
the turntables.
While testing, try your best to keep the vehicle front
wheels at the centers of the turntables.
SteeringWheelHolder
KWA-300 3Dhas asteering wheel holderas shown
in Fig.2.6. Use the steeringwheel holderto lockthe
steering wheel according to the tips on the screen.
Fig.2.6 Steering wheel holder