Motor 2001 top 20 tools: The best of the best

Motor, Sep 2001

Inbay Technology by Rotary Lift

It seems every tool and system in the shop these days is being integrated with electronics. For some things, it's great; for others, not so. We think the new inbay technology system by Rotary is a novel and useful addition to the repair bay.

In a nutshell, inbay is meant to provide a technician with most of what he needs to complete a repair job right in the bay, avoiding unnecessary trips and wasted movement. It's called ergonomics-the minimizing of motion. The result is said to be quicker repair times, higher bay turnover and greater profit.

The technology has been designed into a new line of surface and in-ground lifts designated as the Rotary "i" series. The heart of the system is a control panel containing a microchip-based module to operate the lift and afford access to service information, such as lift points and torque specs. It mounts on the vertical post of two- and four-post models. Two-posters have dual controls so the system can be operated from either side. For in-ground units, the control panel mounts on a shop wall or on a separate pedestal.

The inbay console uses a soft-touch membrane control panel with an LCD screen that offers the user all the functionality of a traditional lift, plus the additional benefit of quick access to productivity and safety-related information.

The control panel features a phone jack/data link connector for easy hook-up of a telephone, fax or laptop computer. This facilitates parts ordering, accessing repair information, checking order status, accessing customer records and logging onto the Internet. Included in the system is a database of vehicle pickup points for proper and safe lift usage. Inbay even has its own built-in training manual.

In addition, electrical and air outlets are built into the lift for use with other tools, thereby eliminating trip hazards from hoses or cords. Touted as a training tool for new techs, the inbay screen not only displays the day and date, but also has a stopwatch-style timer to enhance productivity. The lifts module also tracks the number of hours the lift has been in operation and notifies the operator of the need for maintenance service.

All these features are something we never thought we'd see in a lift. All a lift ever used to do was pick vehicles up and put them back down. Not anymore.

How to Get the Top 20

For more information on these Top 20 Tools award winners, please circle the appropriate number(s) on the Product Information Card in this issue:

Automotive Electronics Services Circle #61

Birnbaum & Truglia Circle #62

Champion Engineering Circle #63

Cliplight Manufacturing Circle #64

EASE Diagnostics Circle #65

Hunter Engineering Circle #66

Injectoclean Circle #67

Kent-Moore Circle #68

Lenehan Research Circle #69

Lom Industries Circle #70

Matco Tools Circle #71

Mayhew Tools Circle #72

Midtronics Circle #73

OTC Circle #74

Rotary Lift Circle #75

Schley Products Circle #76

Snap-on Tools Circle #77

Sun Tool Company Circle #78

Thexton Manufacturing Circle #79

Vetronix Circle #80 Visit www.motor.com to download a free copy of this article.