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Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
http://forums.heavymetalpro.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=21067		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  boilerman [ Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Here are 2 projects I've had on the back burner for a long time. I figured I'd share what I have since these won't get finished for a long time.

The gantry is based on real world mast climbing platforms used in construction and building maintenance. The gantry is designed, as in the real world, for dis-assembly and transport. My design simply puts it on its own, dedicated trailer.

The last pic is the platform in 2 positions. The platform can swivel to wrap around a 'Mech and sliding planks stowed below the platform can be pushed out to minimize the gap between the 'Mech and platform.

I figure this gantry, a shipping container full of tools and repair parts, and perhaps a cherry picker or scissors lift would allow a tech section to qualify for the Mobile Field Base modifier in the repair chapter of Strategic Operations.

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Author:  Goose [ Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
I like it a lot, but fear the gantry needs to go all the way around, and also the crane doesn't seem up to moving one of the ACs in them arms.

You, sir, have a nack for pointing out the seemingly obvious to clowns like us, whom have up 'till this point taken things like this for granted.

I salute you. :yourock:
Author:  ViperXTC [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Boilerman,

I like, although I went from a different angle. I took a semi-trailer, equipped it with a generator. I had the container on a pneumatic system so that it stood upright. The top of the container (now standing upright, it would be to the rear of the trailer) is two swing out doors. The inside of the container, when upright, consists of gantrys, platforms, tools and diagnostic equipment, and cranes.

Just push the trailer next to a 'Mech (or walk a 'Mech into the the open bay of the container), and let the AsTechs goto work.

Using a conex box as a mobile workcenter was a concept the USAF was considering for deployments. I thought it was a brilliant idea. Unfortunately, like most good ideas, nothing came of it.

John
Author:  boilerman [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Interesting way of doing it Viper. So how would you set the container up right? Can the container do it or must it be craned into position?

The US Army does have a container based workshop. They call it the Forward Repair System

http://www.armyproperty.com/Equipment-Info/M7-FRS.htm
Author:  Karagin [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
The Army has something they call the "Fresh" it is a contanier built on to a flatrack with all the stuff needed to do repairs and such in the field, has a crane on the end of it and can generate it's own power as well.

I will get you some more info on it, but that is another idea you can look to possible add. I believe that OSKOSH has the info on their website for the "FRESH" but not sure.
Author:  ViperXTC [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Boiilerman,

As I said, the container would be on a pneumatic (or hydraulic) system, similar to that used by dump trucks or the missile silo trucks used by the Air Force.

My only problem is figuring out the push points for 'the attachments of the pneumatic/hydraulic system. I can't find reference material to copy. Every time I try to do it on paper/computer, it doesn't seem to work.

John
Author:  Karagin [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Right the container I am referring to is able to be picked up by the PLS (M1074/M1075) trucks, which would work this concept into the PLS truck presented earlier on here.
Author:  boilerman [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 2:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Quote:
As I said, the container would be on a pneumatic (or hydraulic) system, similar to that used by dump trucks or the missile silo trucks used by the Air Force.
John
That sounds like some complicated geometry and hydraulic systems. That thing would require a lot of stabilization but I'm sure it's possible.

When you talk about push points on paper or computer are you trying to actually design the system or just draw something reasonably plausible? By the way I would go with hydraulics, much more powerful, and I would think the compressibility of air really complicates things with dynamic loading.
Author:  ViperXTC [ Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Boilerman,
I guess I'm thinking something realistic, so that I'm not bombarded with comments that it won't work. But plausible will do. LOL

I know that it will work. It is done everyday, in one form or another. I just get it to work in my head, and I don't get close enough to these working units to get an idea HOW they work. My idea is that in the stored position it looks like a semi-trailer about 75ft long. When needed for a repair gantry, the hydraulics (TY, BTW) push the front end up until it is standing. The back end of the trailer (where the back doors would normally be) now rest on the ground. I suppose outriggers could be added to improve stability. Open the top of the trailer on hinges, and (theoretically) you have 18ft of work area 72ft high. If I remember correctly, this is approximately the dimensions of an upright BattleMech.

John
Author:  boilerman [ Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Ok, Yea that would work quite nicely I think. According to game rules going back to the beginning all 'Mechs are considered 2 levels high so I've always went with the idea that the tallest 'Mechs are not much over 12 meters high, roughly 40 feet. I'm not saying you have to, but that keeps your trailer within the 40 foot range if you want to, but a 75 foot trailer makes sure you have plenty of space for tools, parts and equipment to make your gantry self-contained.

I think I'm going to have to steal your idea Viper, and use it. The mast climber design above would be the low tech, cheap field repair gantry design for the budget conscience and your hydraulically-powered tilt design could be the high tech, Cadillac design for the rich types. Credit where credit is due of course. Thanks for the idea. Cheers. :toast:
Author:  ViperXTC [ Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Boilermna,
Well, then the credit has to go to the MechCommander PC game. I used the 'Mech repair vehicle for inspiration. LOL
John
Author:  Calis [ Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
I can see merit in both ideas, but why not use a combination of both types
Author:  ViperXTC [ Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
Boilerman,

Just found something to work with. This is basically what I had in mind, only fully upright.

John
Author:  Calis [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
now I can see some field tech modifying one of those into a repair gantry, just need some catwalks and a way to expand and close the sides in and you are halfway there
Author:  ViperXTC [ Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Field Repair Gantry & Rifleman Mockup
I was thinking hydraulics for the lift, outriggers, and swingouts (but a worker 'Mech could work just as well to open the swingouts). But that was the basic idea.

Boilerman: one source for BattleMechs gives 7 to 17+ meters (22.9659 to 55.7743+ feet). I figured an extra 20ft won't be excessive (as I planned to use the same conex setup for barracks, dining, facilities, latrines, maintenance facilities, and other needed temporary buildings, as well as control and watch towers when standing upright).

John
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