Patent Publication Number: US-2009217499-A1

Title: Vehicle collision repair process and system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/573,995, filed May 24, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle collision damage repair process and system. The present invention more particularly relates to a vehicle collision repair system and process utilizing the system. The vehicle collision repair system includes means, such as a rail system to advance vehicle through the vehicle collision repair process. 
     The exterior bodies of vehicles are primarily manufactured from steel, other metal alloys, and composite materials. The materials from which the exterior bodies of vehicles are manufactured for the most part are not plastic materials. Thus, when a force is applied to the exterior body of a vehicle during a collision, the portion of the exterior body subjected to the force does not return to its original shape. To the contrary, exterior bodies of vehicles are usually permanently deflected in response to a force applied during the impact of a collision. 
     Depending on the extent of damage sustained by the vehicle during a collision, the vehicle may be a candidate for collision damage repair. There are about forty thousand vehicle collision repair facilities in the United States. It is estimated that in the United States, vehicle owners and insurance companies expend about twenty-six billion dollars on an annual basis for vehicle collision repair services. 
     The vast majority of vehicle collision damage repair service providers follow the traditional sub-contractor method of providing vehicle collision damage repair services. That is, once a damaged vehicle is received into the repair facility, it is assigned to a single technician. Traditionally, this technician will handle the entire vehicle repair process from beginning to end. This often results in an increase in the time it takes to complete a collision repair job and leads to inconsistencies in the quality of the collision repair job. 
     Also according to the sub-contractor method, the vehicle collision repair facility does not supply the required tools to technicians to enable the technicians to complete the vehicle collision repair. To the contrary, according to the sub-contractor approach, individual technicians are required to provide their own tools. This results in a significant initial monetary investment by the individual technician. The sub-contractor approach to providing vehicle collision repair services, therefore, results in difficulties in recruiting, hiring and retaining repair technicians. 
     Thus, there is a need in the vehicle collision repair industry for a vehicle collision repair system and process of collision repair that increases the consistency of the repair process, increases the quality of the repaired vehicle, increases the rate of delivery of the repaired vehicle to the owner, and decreases the overall cost of the collision repair process for the vehicle owner and for the collision repair service provider. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a vehicle collision repair process comprising introducing at least one vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cell being dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, and means for advancing said vehicle through said stations; engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing; and advancing said vehicle through said stations. 
     According to other embodiments, the vehicle collision repair process comprises introducing at least one vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cell being dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, and a rail system for advancing said vehicle through said stations; engaging said vehicle with said rail system; and advancing said vehicle through said stations. 
     According to certain embodiments, each stage of said vehicle collision repair process is dedicated to carrying out one or more specific vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. 
     The present invention also provides a vehicle collision repair process comprising receiving at least one vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cell being dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, and means for advancing said vehicle through said stations; defining a status for said vehicle such that it is suitable for engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing; confirming that said vehicle meets said defined status for engaging with said means for advancing; engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing; and advancing said vehicle through said stations. 
     According to other embodiments, the process includes performing at least one vehicle collision repair operation to meet said defined status prior to engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing. 
     According to other embodiments, the vehicle collision repair process comprises receiving at least one vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cell being dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, and a rail system for advancing said vehicle through said stations; defining a status for said vehicle such that it is suitable for engaging said vehicle with said rail system; confirming that said vehicle meets said defined status for engaging with said means for advancing; engaging said vehicle with said rail system; and advancing said vehicle successively through said stations. 
     According to other embodiments, the process includes performing at least one vehicle collision repair operation to meet said defined status prior to engaging said vehicle with said rail system. 
     The present invention further provides a vehicle collision repair system comprising a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair system; and means for advancing a vehicle undergoing collision repair through said stations. 
     According to other embodiments, each station of the vehicle collision repair system is dedicated to carrying out one or more vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. 
     According to other embodiment, the vehicle collision repair system comprises a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair system; and a rail system to advance a vehicle undergoing collision repair through said stations. 
     According to other embodiments, each station of the vehicle collision repair system is dedicated to carrying out one or more vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of another embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention involves a process and system for the repair of vehicles having collision damage. In general, the vehicle collision repair system includes a cell having a plurality of stations, where each station within the cell is dedicated to the performance of a stage of the vehicle collision repair process, and means for advancing a vehicle undergoing collision repair successively through the stations. According to certain embodiments, the vehicle collision repair system includes a cell having a plurality of stations, where each station within the cell is dedicated to the performance of a stage of the vehicle collision repair process, and a rail system to advance a vehicle undergoing collision repair successively through the stations. Each stage of the vehicle collision repair process is dedicated to the performance of one or more specific vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. The vehicle is advanced with the means for advancing, such as along the rail system, until the collision damage repair process is completed and the vehicle damage has been repaired. It should be noted that the vehicle may not be advanced to a subsequent station within the repair cell until the specific repair stage(s) of that station has been completed and it has been determined that the vehicle meets all quality requirements for that specific repair stage(s). 
     According to the present invention, the vehicle collision repair process includes accepting a vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations. Each station of the repair cell is dedicated to a specific stage of the vehicle collision repair process. The vehicle collision damage repair cell also includes a means for advancing a vehicle undergoing collision repair through the stations, thereby advancing the vehicle through the collision damage repair process. A rail system may be used to advance a vehicle undergoing collision repair through the system. According to certain embodiments, the rail system may be used to advance the vehicles laterally through stations of the repair along the rail system. According to these embodiments, the term “laterally” means that the leading edge of the vehicle being advanced throughout the repair cell along the rail system is a lateral side, rather than the front or read end of the vehicle. 
     According to certain embodiments, the vehicles undergoing collision repair are successively advanced through the stations of the vehicle repair cell. Nevertheless, it should be noted that all vehicles undergoing the collision repair process do not need to be advanced through each station of the vehicle collision repair cell and, therefore, the process encompasses advancing vehicles through only a portion of the stations of the vehicle collision repair cell. 
     As described in greater detail below, each station of the vehicle collision repair system is dedicated to the performance of a specific stage of the vehicle collision repair process. In turn, each stage of the vehicle collision repair process is dedicated to the performance of at least one specific vehicle collision repair operation, step, or task. In order to facilitate completion of a certain vehicle collision repair step in a given station of the repair cell, each station is specifically tooled with the tools and equipment that are required to complete the specific vehicle collision repair operation(s), step(s), or task(s) for which the specific station of the repair cell is dedicated. 
     The vehicle repair system and process is described in greater detail with reference to FIGURES. It should be noted that the FIGURES merely show illustrative embodiments of the vehicle collision repair system and process, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited by the illustrative embodiments shown in the FIGURES. 
     The term “stage” refers to a segment or portion of the vehicle collision damage repair process. Each stage of the vehicle collision damage repair process is not limited to the performance of a single vehicle collision damage repair operation, step, or task. But, rather, each stage of the vehicle collision damage repair process may be dedicated to the performance of one or more collision repair operation, step, or task. 
     The term “station” refers to a location within the various cells of the vehicle collision damage repair system that is dedicated to a desired stage of the vehicle collision damage repair process. 
     The term “cell” refers to a generally enclosed space or structure. It should be understood that each cell is provided with access to other cells of the collision repair system and to the outside environment. As described herein, one cell of the vehicle collision repair system may be interconnected to one or more other cells of the vehicle collision repair system. 
     Vehicle Collision Damage Repair System 
     A first embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system is shown in  FIG. 1 . According to this embodiment, vehicle repair system  10  includes repair cell  20 . Repair cell  20  includes a plurality of stations  21 - 37 . Each of stations  21 - 36  is dedicated one specific vehicle collision repair stage. According to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  further includes rail system  40 , which is employed to advance a vehicle undergoing collision repair successively through said stations  26 - 34  during the vehicle collision repair process. 
     The rail system  40  of repair system  20  generally includes elongated, substantially parallel rail or track members  41 ,  42 . The rail system  40  also includes means (not shown) that are movably engaged with the rail or track members. Preferably, these means are provided in the form of movable skates, which are also adapted to engage the wheels of a vehicle undergoing collision damage repair. In this regard, the skates are adjustable to accommodate the wheel base size of the vehicle being repaired. In operation, the vehicle undergoing collision repair is engaged with the rail system via the movable rail skates. Through the use of rail system  40 , the collision damage repair technician has the ability to easily advance a vehicle, along rail system  40 , to downstream stages of the repair process. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the rail system of vehicle collision repair system  40  may be driven by a motor. According to this embodiment, the motor driven rail system also includes a power source for driving the motor and suitable control to permit the repair technician to control the flow of the vehicle along the rail. 
     According to another embodiment, the means for advancing the vehicle through the stations of the collision repair cell may not include a rail system. According to this embodiment, the vehicle is engaged with movable skates and is advanced through the vehicle collision repair cell. Suitable moveable skates that may be used in connection with the vehicle collision repair system and process are rollable skates that are commercially available from Eastwood Co. under the trade designation GO JAKS. 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is dedicated to the step of pre-operative repair process planning of a vehicle needing collision repair. According to the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  includes stations  21 - 23  that are dedicated to the pre-operative repair process planning step of the process. While  FIG. 1  shows repair cell  20  having three stations  21 - 23  being dedicated to pre-operative repair process planning, it should be understood that repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  may include fewer or more stations that are dedicated to the pre-operative repair process planning step of the overall collision repair process. The pre-operative repair process planning stage includes carrying out or completion of all processes needed to be completed before the vehicle is engaged with the rail system  40 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  of the vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is a quality assurance verification stage. That is, the repair cell  20  includes stations that are dedicated to conducting a quality assurance operation of said vehicle being repaired during the vehicle collision repair process. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , stations  28  and  33  are dedicated quality assurance verification stations where a quality assurance step is conducted. While the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows station  28  and  33  dedicated to quality assurance verification, it should be understood that repair cell  20  may include fewer or more quality assurance verification stations and that a quality assurance verification station may be located following any station within repair cell  20 . Through the use of strategically located quality assurance stations, such as stations  28  and  33 , the vehicle collision damage repair process can be internally or externally monitored without pausing, stopping, or otherwise disturbing the ongoing repair process. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , stations  26 - 34  of repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  is tooled for a specific vehicle collision repair task. The term “tooled” means that each of stations  26 - 34  is equipped or is otherwise provided with the necessary or required materials, parts, tools, equipment, and supplies that are needed to carry out, complete or otherwise perform the stage of the vehicle collision repair process, including each specific vehicle collision repair operation, step, or task, for which the particular station is dedicated. Thus, all required equipment, materials, parts, tools, and supplies are strategically and conveniently located at the point of use. This provides a plurality of interdependent, focused work stations. 
     In addition to being tooled for a specific vehicle collision repair process stage, each of the stations  26 - 34  is staffed with at least one qualified vehicle collision repair professional having a competency for the specific vehicle collision repair stage and tasks for which a given station  26 - 34  is dedicated. 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is dedicated to the stage of preparing a vehicle undergoing the collision repair process for a paint application stage. Referring to  FIG. 1 , stations  29 - 31  are dedicated to the stage of preparing a vehicle being repaired for a painting stage during the vehicle collision repair process. While the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows stations  29 - 31  as being dedicated to the step of preparing a vehicle undergoing collision repair for a painting stage, it should be understood that repair cell  20  may include fewer or more stations that are dedicated to the stage of preparing a vehicle for a painting process during the collision repair process. 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  may include at least one station that is dedicated to the stage of painting a vehicle that is undergoing the collision repair process. Referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  includes station  32  that is dedicated to painting a portion of said vehicle being repaired. Situated within station  32  of repair cell  20  is a paint spray booth. There is no limitation on the type of paint spray booth that may be incorporated into station  32  of repair cell  20 . In fact, any commercially available paint spray booth that is customarily used in the vehicle collision repair facility may be incorporated into station  32  of repair cell  20 . 
     Preferably, the vehicle collision damage repair system  10  utilizes a side loading spray booth. The use of a side loading spray booth is advantageous, as in the embodiment shown, the vehicles are advancing in a lateral manner along rail system  40  of vehicle collision damage repair system  10 . 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  also includes at least one station that is dedicated to the step of reassembling a vehicle undergoing the collision repair process. Referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  includes stations  35 ,  36  that are dedicated to reassembly of vehicles that are undergoing the collision repair process. Stations  35 ,  36  may or may not be located along rail system  40  of repair cell  20 . According to die illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , stations  35 ,  36  are not situated along rail system  40 , but are situated at a location that is across from stations  33 ,  34  along rail system  40 . There is no limitation as to the location of the stations  35 ,  36  that are dedicated to reassembly within repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10 . Once a vehicle has been painted, it is advanced to stations  35 ,  36  for reassembly. 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is adapted to have at least one parts carrier situated therein. The term “parts carriers” as used herein refers to a mobile means for storing damaged and new vehicle parts and for transferring parts that are required for the vehicle collision repair process to a specific station  26 - 34  of the repair cell  20 . While  FIG. 1  shows station  37  having a certain number of parts carriers, it should be understood that station  37  may include any number of parts carriers, depending on the number of stations that are present within repair cell  20  of vehicle repair system  10 . 
     Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one area that is dedicated to the storage of tools and equipment that are utilized in the vehicle collision repair process. According to  FIG. 1 , areas  38 ,  39  are dedicated tool areas where tools and equipment are that are utilized in the vehicle collision repair process are stored. The use of a dedicated tool area avoids the need to have redundant tool sets purchased by individual technicians. In use of the process, the individual technician retrieves the tools and equipment required for completing the vehicle collision repair task(s) or step(s) of a specific stage of the vehicle collision repair process and takes them to the station located along the rail system that is dedicated to the specific vehicle collision repair process stage. 
       FIG. 2  shows a second illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system and process. According to the second embodiment, vehicle collision repair system  10  may comprise a second cell  50 . Second cell  50  is interconnected with repair cell  20  and is adapted for receiving vehicles having collision damage into the vehicle collision repair system  10 . Second cell  50  includes at least one station for receiving vehicles having collision damage for repair. As shown in  FIG. 2 , second cell  50  includes four stations  51 - 54  for receiving vehicles having collision damage for repair in the vehicle collision repair system  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a third illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system  10 . According to the third illustrative embodiment, vehicle collision repair system  10  may also comprise a third cell  60 . Third cell  60  is interconnected with repair cell  20  and includes at least one station that is adapted for cleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles. As shown in  FIG. 3 , third cell  60  includes two stations  61 - 62  that are dedicated to a stage of the vehicle collision repair process, namely, the final cleaning and detailing stage of the collision damage repair process. 
       FIG. 4  shows a fourth illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system  10 . According to the fourth illustrative embodiment, vehicle collision repair system  10  may further comprise a fourth cell  70 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , fourth cell  70  is interconnected with at least one of (i) the repair cell  20  and (ii) the third cell  60 . That is, fourth cell  70  may be interconnected with repair cell  20  for embodiments that do not include additional third cell  60  for receipt of vehicles having collision damage. According to another embodiment, fourth cell  70  may be interconnected with repair cell  20  and third cell  60 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , fourth cell  70  may include any one the of the following sub-cells, namely, public restrooms, employee restrooms, employee break rooms, meeting rooms, customer service area, and customer waiting area. 
       FIG. 5  shows another illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system of the present invention. According to  FIG. 5 , the vehicle collision repair system may comprise repair cell  80 . Repair cell  80  includes two independent repair cells  81 , 82 . Each of repair cells  81 , 82  include a plurality of stations that are dedicated to the performance of a particular stage of the vehicle collision repair process of the present invention. Again, each station of repair cells  81 , 82  are dedicated to the performance of one or more specific vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. 
     The Vehicle Collision Damage Repair Process 
       FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system  10  that includes second cell  50 . Second cell  50  includes stations for accepting vehicles having collision damage. According to this embodiment, a vehicle that has been damaged by a collision is delivered to the vehicle collision repair system  10 . In second cell  50 , the vehicle is received by personnel. It should be understood that the inclusion of second cell  50  is merely an alternative illustrative embodiment and that second cell  50  does not need to be include in vehicle collision repair facility  10 . In fact, a damaged vehicle may be delivered directly into repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10 . 
     Assuming a damaged vehicle has been delivered to second cell  50  of vehicle collision repair system  10 , after the damaged vehicle has been received into second cell  50  it is then transferred to repair cell  20  of the vehicle collision repair system  10  for further processing in accordance with the system and process of the present invention. 
     Further stages of the vehicle repair process of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Again, it should be noted that the  FIG. 1  merely shows an illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair process. 
     According to this embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle having collision damage is introduced into repair cell  20  of vehicle repair system  10  for repair. As described above, the vehicle may be introduced into repair cell  10  from the optional second cell  50  or directly into repair cell  20  from the outside environment. Repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is dedicated to the stage of pre-operative repair process planning of a vehicle needing collision repair. A vehicle requiring collision damage repair is transferred to stations  21 - 23 , in order to carry out the pre-operative repair process planning stage of the overall vehicle collision repair process. While situated in stations  21 - 23  of repair cell  20 , trained personnel identify the collision damage to the vehicle that requires repair. Also while the damaged vehicle is situated in stations  21 - 23 , a disassembly of the damaged vehicle is conducted and parts that are needed to complete the collision repair process are identified. By virtue of the disassembly of the damaged vehicle the size of the vehicle that must travel through repair cell  20  along rail system  40  is reduced. In turn, this reduces the overall space required by repair cell  20  of the vehicle collision repair system  10 . 
     The inventive process includes defining a status for a damaged vehicle undergoing collision repair such that it is suitable for engaging the vehicle with the rail system  40  of the repair system  10 . During the pre-operative planning stage, in stations  21 - 23 , certain collision damage repair operations, steps, or tasks are performed in order that the vehicle meets the defined status for engaging it with the rail system  40 . Depending on the condition of the damaged vehicle, a single or multiple collision repair tasks may need to be completed in order that the vehicle will meet the defined status for engaging it with the rail system. It should be noted that, in certain circumstance, a damaged vehicle may be received into the repair cell  20  of the vehicle collision damage repair system  10  in a state that it is suitable to be engaged with the rail system  40  of repair system  10  without the need for performing any prior collision repair operation or manipulating the vehicle in any manner. 
     The disassembled parts from the damaged vehicle are then transferred to a mobile parts cart that is situated in station  37  of repair cell  20 . The parts that have been identified as being required for completion of the overall vehicle collision repair process are ordered from an appropriate manufacturer or supplier. The mobile parts carriers, having the disassembled parts thereon, are then transferred to stations that are dedicated to a specific collision repair task. Once the replacement parts are received, the replacement parts are transferred to the specific station and specific parts cart situated in the specific station. Here, the replacement parts are exchanged for the disassembled and damaged parts on the parts cart. The use of mobile parts carriers that are dedicated to a specific collision repair task facilitates quick identification and exchange of parts and process flow along the rail system  40  of repair cell  20 . 
     Once the damaged vehicle has been assessed and disassembled, the disassembled vehicle may be engaged with the rail system  40  of repair cell  20 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , stations  26 - 34  or repair cell  20  of vehicle collision repair system  10  are tooled for specific vehicle collision repair tasks. As described herein, each of stations  21 - 36  is dedicated to the completion of one specific vehicle collision repair task. The damaged vehicle is successively advanced through said stations  26 - 36  of repair cell  20  for the purposes of carrying out all required vehicle collision repair tasks. While the damaged vehicle is situated within a given station, the process of carrying out the specific vehicle collision repair task or tasks for which the given station is dedicated is carried out by a technician. The technician assigned to a station will have specific training and technical competency for the specific vehicle collision repair task or tasks for which that station is dedicated. As each of stations  26 - 34  of repair cell  20  is tooled or is otherwise provided with all necessary or required tools, equipment, and supplies to carry out or complete the specific vehicle collision repair task for which the specific station is dedicated, there is no need for the technicians to supply their own tools in order to carry out a particular stage of the vehicle collision repair process at a particular station of repair cell  20 . As the technician has training on the specific tasks assigned to a particular station, a resulting increase in the speed in which the task is completed and the quality and consistency of the completed repair task is achieved by the process. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  of the vehicle collision repair system  10  includes at least one station that is a quality assurance verification stage. After a vehicle being repaired by the present process has advanced from pre-operative process planning stations  21 - 23  and through repair stations  26 ,  27 , the vehicle advances to quality assurance verification station  28 . Station  28  is dedicated to conducting a quality assurance assessment of the collision repair tasks that have been carried out in repair stations  24 - 27 . According to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the vehicle being repaired cannot advance through station  28  to station  29  until it is assured that the specific collision repair tasks carried out in repair stations  24 - 27  are properly completed. While the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows station  28  in a particular location within repair cell  20 , it should be understood that, depending on the specific system and process, the position of station  28  within repair cell  20  may be situated differently. That is, station  28  may be situated after any of stations  24 - 27 . 
     Assuming that the vehicle undergoing the inventive collision damage repair process passes through quality assurance station  28 , it is advanced along rail system  40  to station  29 - 31 . Stations  29 - 31  are dedicated to the step of preparing a vehicle being repaired for a painting stage during the vehicle collision repair process. While the vehicle is advanced through stations  29 - 31  along rail system  40 , the vehicle being repaired is prepared for a painting stage. In the embodiment shown, while situated in station  29 , the vehicle is subjected to a mobile extraction unit which extracts particulate matter from the surfaces of the vehicle to be painted and from the local environment within station  28 . This step is carried out by a technician that has a technical competency with using mobile extraction units. While the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows stations  29 - 31  as being dedicated to the step of preparing a vehicle undergoing collision repair for a painting step, it should be understood that the repair cell  20  may include fewer or more stations that are dedicated to step of preparing a vehicle for a painting process during collision repair. 
     Once the steps for preparing the vehicle for painting have been completed, the vehicle is advanced to station  32  along rail system  40 . Still referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  includes station  32  that is dedicated to the painting stage of the process whereby a portion of said vehicle being repaired is painted. Situated within station  32  of repair cell  20  is a paint spray booth. There is no limitation on the type of paint spray booth that may be incorporated into station  32  of repair cell  20 . In fact, any commercially available paint spray booth that is customarily used in the vehicle collision repair facility may be incorporated into station  32  of repair cell  20 . While the vehicle is situated in the paint spray booth located at station  32 , the paint is applied to a portion of the vehicle requiring a coating of paint by means of a paint spray apparatus. 
     After the application of paint to the required portions of the vehicle is completed, the vehicle emerges from the paint spray booth located at station  32  and is advanced along rail system  40  to station  33 . Station  33  is a further quality assurance station. While the vehicle is present in station  33 , personnel conduct a quality assurance step to ensure that the paint application step of the vehicle repair process has been properly completed. 
     Once it has been determined in station  33  that the paint application step has been properly carried out, then the vehicle is advanced to a station that is dedicated to the stage of reassembling a vehicle undergoing the collision repair process. Referring to  FIG. 1 , repair cell  20  includes two stations  35 ,  36  that are dedicated to reassembly of vehicles that are undergoing the collision repair process. According to the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , stations  35 ,  36  are not situated along rail system  40 , but are situated at a location that is across from stations  33 , 34  along rail system  40 . After the vehicle is advanced to the reassembly stations  35 ,  36 , the vehicles are reassembled with all repaired and replacement parts. Stations  35 ,  36  are properly equipped will all of the tools necessary to reassemble the repaired vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  shows a third illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system  10 . According to this embodiment, vehicle collision repair system  10  may comprise a third cell  60 . Third cell  60  is interconnected with repair cell  20  and includes at least one station that is adapted for cleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles. As shown in  FIG. 3 , third cell  60  includes stations  61 - 62  that are dedicated to final cleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles. After the vehicle has been reassembled in stations  35 ,  36  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the vehicle is transferred to third cell  60  for final cleaning and detailing. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and process, the vehicle undergoing collision repair “flows” through successive stations within the repair system along the a rail system, thereby eliminating the customary multiple vehicle engine start-ups required in a traditional vehicle repair facility. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and process, the vehicle undergoing collision repair “flows” through successive stations within the repair system along the a rail system, thereby facilitating the transfer of the vehicle to and from personnel having specific repair step expertise. 
     Through the use of a completely tooled and equipped vehicle collision repair system and process, the redundant and inconsistent employee tool and equipment supply is avoided. The use of a tooled environment also avoids individual employee tooling investment. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and method, the quality of the collision repair is improved. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and method, the predictability of delivery of the repair vehicle is improved. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and method, the consistency of the collision repair is improved. 
     Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system and method, the total overall cost of the vehicle collision repair process is reduced for the vehicle owner and for the collision repair service provider. 
     The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but includes variations, modifications, and equivalent embodiments defined by the following claims. The embodiments described above are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined to provide the desired characteristics.