An improved laser scanning apparatus (46) for determining frame or unibody
alignment or misalignment of a vehicle (40) is provided, which includes a
laser assembly (54), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies (56,58) and
laser detectors (114, 116) located within an enclosed housing (50,52).
The laser assembly (54) has an upper pair of lasers (122,126) located in
known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers (124,128). with
the detectors (114, 116) disposed between the upper and lower laser pairs
(122, 126, 124, 128). The apparatus (46) is used in conjunction with a
plurality of individually coded reflective targets (44) which are
suspended from known reference points on the vehicle (40). In use, the
laser assembly (54) in conjunction with the mirror assemblies (56,58)
directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge
on the targets (44); laser radiation reflected from the targets (44) is
detected by the detectors (114, 116), allowing trigonometric calculation
of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper
and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the
targets (44) are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the
housing (50, 52) includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels
(88, 90) and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the
apparatus (46).