SURFACE J600 FEB2011

VEHICLE
Issued 1952-12
RECOMMENDED Stabilized 2011-02
PRACTICE Superseding J600 AUG2009

Headlamp Aim Test Machines

RATIONALE

The technical report covers technology, products, or processes which are mature and not likely to change in the
foreseeable future.

STABILIZED NOTICE

This document has been declared "Stabilized" by the SAE Road Illumination Devices Standards Committee and will no
longer be subjected to periodic reviews for currency. Users are responsible for verifying references and continued
suitability of technical requirements. Newer technology may exist.

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SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 2 of 7

FOREWORD

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

1. SCOPE

This SAE Recommended Practice provides laboratory test procedures for testing headlamp aim test machines to verify
their ability to aim or to inspect the aim of headlamps, fog lamps, and auxiliary high beam lamps. This specification does
not apply to aiming devices of the kind covered by SAE J602. This specification does not apply to motorcycle headlamps.

2. REFERENCES

2.1 Applicable Publications

The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the
latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.
SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 3 of 7

2.1.1 SAE Publications

Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside
USA and Canada) or 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.

SAE J387 Terminology—Motor Vehicle Lighting

SAE J575 Test Methods and Equipment for Lighting Devices and Components for Use on Vehicles Less than
2032 mm in Overall Width

SAE J581 Auxiliary High Beam Lamps

SAE J583 Front Fog Lamp

SAE J599 Lighting Inspection Code

SAE J602 Headlamp Aiming Device for Mechanically Aimable Headlamp Units

SAE J1383 Performance Requirements for Replaceable Bulb Motor Vehicle Headlamps

SAE J2595 Performance Requirements for Sealed Beam Motor Vehicle Headlamps

2.2 Related Publications

The following publications are provided for information purposes and are not a required part of this document.

2.2.1 Federal Publications

Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Printing Office, 732 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC
20401, Tel: 202-512-1800, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html.

49CFR571.108 (FMVSS 108) Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Headlamp Aim Test Machine

A headlamp aim test machine is an optical or photoelectric device used to aim or check the aim of forward lighting
devices. The headlamp aim test machine shall permit an operator to aim a forward lighting device without the use of
specialized aim equipment such as a mechanical aimer or aim screen.

A headlamp aim test machine will aim a headlamp in which the original lamp aim system is no longer functional, such as
chipped aiming pads or VHAD systems out of calibration.

The preferred aim method is the design method. Headlamps with VHAD aim should be aimed using the VHAD system.

3.2 Headlamp Optical Axis

The line formed by the intersection of a horizontal and a vertical plane through the light source parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the vehicle. If the optical axis of the headlamp is not at the geometric center of the lens, then the location will be
indicated by the manufacturer on the headlamp.

3.3 Replaceable Bulb Headlamp (RBHL)

Replaceable bulb headlamp means a headlamp comprising a lens and reflector assembly and one or two replaceable
headlamp light sources.
SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 4 of 7

3.4 Mechanically Aimable Headlamp

A headlamp having three pads on the lens, forming an aiming plane or an aiming ring, the aiming plane or aiming ring
being used for laboratory photometric testing and for inspecting the aim of the headlamp when installed on the vehicle.
The pads shall be grouped into Group I or Group II locations as defined in SAE J1383.

3.5 Vehicle Headlamp Aiming Device (VHAD)

An aiming device incorporated in the headlamp system which allows for inspection and adjustment of headlamp aim
without the use of aim measuring equipment external to the vehicle.

3.6 Visually/Optically Aimable Headlamp

A headlamp which is designed to be aimed visually by placing the beam pattern onto a specified location onto a screen or
optically aimed by the placement of the cutoff gradient maximum at a designated location.

3.6.1 Headlamps intended to be aimed vertically using the left side of the low beam pattern, marked “VOL.”

3.6.2 Headlamps intended to be aimed vertically using the right side of the low beam pattern, marked “VOR.”

3.6.3 Headlamps intended to be aimed via the high beam pattern, marked “VO.”

3.6.4 Headlamps intended to be aimed horizontally using a 0.2°D scan and be aimed vertically via the right side of the
low beam pattern, marked “VORH1.”

3.6.5 Headlamps intended to be aimed horizontally using a 0.2°D scan and be aimed vertically via the left side of the
low beam pattern, marked “VOLH1.”

3.6.6 Headlamps intended to be aimed horizontally using a 3-line scan shall be aimed vertically via the left side of the
low beam pattern, marked “VOLH2.”

3.7 Auxiliary High Beam Lamp

A lighting device intended to supplement the high beam of the headlamps in providing illumination forward of the vehicle.
It is not intended for use alone or with the low beam of headlamps.

3.8 Front Fog Lamp

A lighting device designed to provide illumination forward of the vehicle under conditions of fog, rain, snow, or dust.

4. TESTS

4.1 Samples for Test

4.1.1 Headlamp aim test machines submitted for laboratory verification tests should be representative of the device as
regularly manufactured and marketed, except that in the case of a machine using a track, an abbreviated section
of track may be supplied for the test. Each sample shall include all accessory equipment for the device both
necessary to its service operation and calibration. Full assembly and operating instructions shall be provided,
including information on how to check accuracy and maintain the device in calibration.

4.1.2 Sample lamps for test shall meet SAE and FMVSS 108 specifications and should include the following:

A group of sealed beam headlamp units (high beam and low beam).
A group of RBHL that use mechanical (Group I and II), VHAD, VOL and VOR aim procedures.
A group of fog lamps that represent older style and second generation types with sharp cutoffs.
A group of auxiliary high beam lamps.
SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 5 of 7

The lamps should have at least 120% of all the minimum test point values and no more than 90% of all the maximum test
point values under standard aim (not necessarily when using the headlamp aim test machine).

4.2 Laboratory Facilities

The laboratory shall be equipped with facilities to make physical and optical tests required in this report, in accordance
with established laboratory practice. It will include a goniometer, an aim screen located at 7.6 m from the goniometer, and
calibrated photometer(s).

4.3 Test Procedures

4.3.1 The sample lamp and test fixture shall be mounted on a goniometer which meets the requirement of the
Photometry Test in SAE J575.

4.3.2 The sample lamp should be operated at rated voltage. The lamp shall be kept burning through the end of test.

4.3.3 Lamp Aim (Initial)

4.3.3.1 The headlamp shall be aimed using one of the two following methods:

a. Mechanical aim, VHAD aim, or VO aim per the lamp design

b. Visual alignment per SAE J599 section Headlamp Aim and Inspection of Aim

4.3.3.2 The auxiliary high beam lamp shall be aimed using one of the two following methods:

a. The procedure specified in SAE J581.

b. Visual alignment per SAE J599 section Aim and Inspection of Aim for Foglamps and Auxiliary High Beam (Driving)
Lamps.

4.3.3.3 The foglamp shall be aimed using one of the two following methods:

a. The procedure specified in SAE J583. The version of SAE J583 used shall be appropriate for the type of fog lamp
used (see lens marking for indication of version).

b. Visual alignment per SAE J599 section Aim and Inspection of Aim for Foglamps and Auxiliary High Beam (Driving)
Lamps.

4.3.4 Goniometer initial readings (Hi, Vi) shall be recorded.

4.3.5 The headlamp aim test machine shall be positioned in front of the sample lamp according to the manufacturer's
instructions.

4.3.6 The sample lamp shall be aimed according to the aim test machine manufacturer's instructions, using the
goniometer to position the lamp.

4.3.7 The final goniometer reading (Hf, Vf) shall be recorded after the above aim.

4.3.8 The aim test machine shall be removed from its position in the front of the lamp.
SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 6 of 7

5. REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Aim

5.1.1 The headlamp aim test machine shall permit determination of the vertical and horizontal aim within the following
limits:

5.1.2 The final goniometer aim reading (Hf, Vf), when compared to the initial aim reading (Hi, Vi) shall not vary from the
initial reading in the vertical direction by more than ±0.3° (37 mm at 7.6 m) and in the horizontal direction by more
than ±0.6° (75 mm at 7.6 m), or

5.1.3 The lamp shall be checked for photometric compliance with FMVSS 108 requirements or SAE specification while
in the final aim position (Hf, Vf). If the lamp complies with FMVSS 108 requirements (for headlamps) or SAE
specifications (for non FMVSS 108 regulated devices) the headlamp aim test machine aim is acceptable.

5.2 General Requirements

5.2.1 The headlamp aim test machine shall incorporate a fixed track or equivalent for positioning the aiming device in
front of the headlamps.

5.2.1.1 Means shall be provided in the device for compensating within ±0.1° for variation in the floor slope and the
adjustment method shall be clearly explained in the operating instructions.

5.2.1.2 Means shall be provided in the device for lateral alignment within ±0.25° with respect to the longitudinal axis of
the vehicle or demonstrate that a larger misalignment would have no effect on aimability.

5.2.2 Headlamp aim test machines using a photoelectric means to determine aim shall also have a visual screen or
equivalent upon which the beam pattern is projected proportional to its appearance and aim on a screen at 7.6 m.
Such visual screen or equivalent shall be plainly visible to the operator and should have horizontal and vertical
reference lines to permit visual appraisal of the aim of the lamp.

5.2.3 Design of the headlamp aim test machine shall permit checking the aim of the lamps mounted at optical axis
heights from 35 to 140 cm and spaced up to 130 cm from the center of the motor vehicle.

5.2.4 The device and/or the instructions shall provide a means for calibration and/or verification of calibration.

5.2.5 The spirit level or other means provided for indicating alignment shall be capable of indicating a deviation of at
least 2.5 mm with a 0.2° (25 mm at 7.6 m) change in position.

5.2.6 A vertical aim scale shall be provided with numerical gradations in steps, each of which represents 25 mm at
7.6 m to provide for variations in aim at least 100 mm above level to 250 mm below level.

5.2.7 A lateral aim scale shall be provided with gradations in steps of not more than 50 mm at 7.6 m from straight
ahead to at least 150 mm left and right.

5.2.8 The instructions covering use of the device shall include those items in the "Preparation for Headlamp Aim or
Inspection" section of SAE J599.

5.2.9 Instructions furnished by the manufacturer for aiming lamps shall be such that the beam patterns when viewed on
the screen will fall within the limits set in SAE J599.

5.2.10 Headlamp aim test machines must be capable of operating accurately in service garages with a temperature
range of 0 °C to 40 °C.
SAE J600 Stabilized FEB2011 Page 7 of 7

6. NOTES

6.1 Marginal Indicia

A change bar (I) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions,
not editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this document. An (R) symbol to the left of the document
title indicates a complete revision of the document, including technical revisions. Change bars and (R) are not used in
original publications, nor in documents that contain editorial changes only.

PREPARED BY THE SAE ROAD ILLUMINATION DEVICES STANDARDS COMMITTEE