If your vehicle becomes involved in a moderate impact then chances are it will be repaired utilizing a "Bench Machine". This particular system, although relatively new in the United  States, has been used for years in Europe. Below is a photo of a car mounted on such a measuring system. The car is either jacked up or driven on to the machine. It is then clamped down, usually by the pinch welds of the rocker panels. The system provides two capabilities. One,  measurements of the body can be done precisely due to the measuring systems built into the machine. Second, because the car is "tied down", the damaged area of the car can be pulled back to exact factory specifications.

The picture below shows a damaged car being worked on while mounted on a Bench Machine. The arrow to the left points to one of the "towers". This represents the pulling station where the pulling chains are connected. These towers can be swung around to line up with the damaged area of the car. The other arrow points to the chain that is connected from the tower and then clamped to the damaged area of the car. Hydraulics are then used to pull the car back to specs. Pretty cool huh?

The photo below shows a measuring pin. The upper arrow shows where the top of the pin fits into one of the holes in the floor/rail rib. This is a preset factory measuring point, The lower arrow shows the measuring system of the machine. The measuring pin can be set to factory specifications in this manner.

Well, now you know what a "Bench System" is. Make sure your body shop is equipped with one of these machines. Ask to see it. Today's vehicles need this type of equipment to be repaired properly. Demand it!