10 ton work pod, The Solomani Army Knife

[wbnc]

Another one...No, I don't have a life,( the joys of being housebound)

10 ton work Pod
Built for a wide variety of tasks the work pod is a space going multi-tool. Equipped with a cluster of manipulator arms, tool mounts, light rigs, and a powerful laser lance/drill it can make repairs handle cargo, rescue stranded spacers, slice open derelict hulls, or bore into asteroids with equal efficiency. Its only drawback is that it is not as capable as a pod built for those specific tasks. It is the true "jack or all trades master of none".

Often beat up, in need of spare parts, with an interior that smells like a gym locker the work pod is the favorite tool of any seasoned blue collar spacer. Rugged reliable and versatile it has no equal when it comes to all around usefulness. A good spacehand can maneuver the pod into the tightest spaces, rip open mangled hulls, or cook breakfast using nothing but the manipulators and laser drill. Insult a mans "banged, smelly old junk heap" and he might put a boot to your backside.

Capable of moving with a 30 ton cargo module in tow, or with several pods working together towing a crippled ship into dock. The pod is powered by compact powerful gravitic drives that give it impressive acceleration when not hauling any cargo. Its hull is lightly armored to protect from collisions and shielded from radiation, and intense heat.

Thrust: 1 Gee at 40 tons max
Armor: Crytaliron Alloy
Crew pilot, and specialist
Passengers 4 in fold down benches

equipment : manipulator arms, laser drill, 30 ton docking clamp, tow cables,

Cost 5.6 Million credits depending on extras.

Lower lumbar support, heated seat, cup holders, audio entertainment suite, chemical toilet, and minifridge standard. Free tank of LH2, and first lubricant recycling free with extended warranty. See your local dealer now.

*terms and conditions apply, offer not valid in all localities dealer retains all incentives and rebates. Down payment,First payment, closing costs, and paperwork fees required at signing.Bulk purchase orders accepted with approved credit.

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

Rather than have the tools in a fixed place...

Maybe they can be detached and mounted to different parts of the ring?

Maybe they can be slewed around the ring to different spots?

In order to be truly multi-purpose, those arms are going to have to be movable to be mounted in different locations.

 

[Condottiere]

Waiting for a while before I invent the Solomani Navy Knife.

In the meantime, playing HOI.

 

[wbnc]

Rather than have the tools in a fixed place...

Maybe they can be detached and mounted to different parts of the ring?

Maybe they can be slewed around the ring to different spots?

In order to be truly multi-purpose, those arms are going to have to be movable to be mounted in different locations.

Funny yo should mention that. A friend gave me a few ideas for that very concept, and a system of tool cabinets that can be rotated into place as needed. the entire assembly is mounted on a rotating ring that also has fittings to relay control inputs data, and electrical power to the tools.it works a bit like the third rail of a subway...with the same risk of a nasty death if you touch it while it's charged so some safety shields would definitely be in order. a lot of the systems could use wireless controls. such as cameras, manipulators etc..

I also added some flexible tentacle style fine manipulators for delicate work. they would be fitted with cameras and interchangeable "hands" for different tasks.

Of course, a pod with a full load of tool bins would be a bit awkward to fly, the controls would have to be set to compensate and counter any forces generated by the moving mass of the tools rig....but that's what fly by wire, computer-assisted controls are for.However any triky flying a gravity well/atmosphere should be left to pods that aren't carrying tons of gear strapped to the hull.

By the way, check out my friends page he does a lot of blueprint style designs..and some of them are pretty good

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

Just like Astronauts need work platforms to affix themselves to, so would this thing. Most objects to be worked on would have something to grapple on to so that the work vehicle stays in place. You grapple onto 3 or more points, and your arms work trouble free; no fuel wasted. So for that sort of work, the arms are going to be built to work within the remaining range. Work with more natural materials may require ramset pitons to be placed, or some sort of multipurpose grapples numbering at least 4, just to hang on so that work can be done. Looser materials may require some sort of “auguring anchor” sort of thing.

 

[wbnc]

Just like Astronauts need work platforms to affix themselves to, so would this thing. Most objects to be worked on would have something to grapple on to so that the work vehicle stays in place. You grapple onto 3 or more points, and your arms work trouble free; no fuel wasted. So for that sort of work, the arms are going to be built to work within the remaining range. Work with more natural materials may require ramset pitons to be placed, or some sort of multipurpose grapples numbering at least 4, just to hang on so that work can be done. Looser materials may require some sort of “auguring anchor” sort of thing.

Good point. I could put a large fairly simple arm on the main hull it would be the anchoring arm, or for heavy lift. It could be a bit like the boom on a tow truck or backhoe. But to be honest, I am really pushing what you can pack into a 10 ton hull already. the 10-ton version may have to make due with using one set of arms to anchor itself, while the other works.

If I build a 15 ton version and drop the docking clamps I can manage to fit a set of heavy arms in. it would loose it's towing ability to a degree, but it would be a lot better suited to heavy work and salvage operations

so back to the workstation and cook up a set of heavy arms...I may end up with an entire booklet of add-on options by itself at this point

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

The most obvious realistic solution to this problem is a few shock absorbing arm mounted twistlocks. You have a three axis gimbal on the lock end, and a two axis gimbal on the pod end, and the shock absorber in between. Of course, then Mongoose would have to have heard of twistlocks.

 

[wbnc]

The most obvious realistic solution to this problem is a few shock absorbing arm mounted twistlocks. You have a three axis gimbal on the lock end, and a two axis gimbal on the pod end, and the shock absorber in between. Of course, then Mongoose would have to have heard of twistlocks.

and if standard design hulls containers and stations had the receptacles for twistlocks arranged around the hull you just insert twist and go to work. the system wouldn't even need to use rigid struts. the pod can use cables to lock on then once all the cables were anchored tak up the tension and the pod is pulled snug against the hull the cables act like guy wires on a cell tower..ann extendable probe or strut keeps the pod away from the work load, and forms a solid base for the pod.

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

Cables are another way to do things too.

But yeah, the lack of twist-locks here are really doing your design in.

 

[wbnc]

Cables are another way to do things too.

But yeah, the lack of twist-locks here are really doing your design in.

I'm working on a few ideas on that subject as we speak. I'm a fan of the least mechanical complexity possible in a lock or safety device. fewer parts fewer headaches. So yeah twistlocks would be great

 

[Condottiere]

There are two types of army knives.

Helvetic, and Sinoese.

 

[wbnc]

There are two types of army knives.

Helvetic, and Sinoese.

I did not know that. Well i guess one size does not fit all in the case f the army knife I should work up the second version then LOL

 

[Condottiere]

One's like a Swiss watch, the other is like a watch manufactured in China.

 

[wbnc]

One's like a Swiss watch, the other is like a watch manufactured in China.

Weel then...give me an idea for some ultra cheap, ultra flimsy small craft One or two designs I have actually list at under 1Mcr

 

[Condottiere]

If it's a convertible, minimal life support can be plugged directly into the space suit, so it should save lots of power.