Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

ESO Antenna Transporter Arrives in Chile

On 7th February 2008, the MS "CCNI Angol” arrived in the Port of Mejillones on the Chilean coast. On board were two antenna transporters Lore and Otto, each weighing 135 tonnes, which started their journey from Germany to Chile at the end of December 2007. Transport from the manufacturer, the Pfedelbach special vehicles manufacturer SCHEUERLE situated in the Hohenlohe, to the Heilbronn Neckarhafen port, was spectacular (as reported). The same procedure continued in Chile.



Immediately after the ship had docked, the two antenna transporters and those parts which had had to be dismantled for the sea voyage, were unloaded on the same day. The journey to the final destination in the Chilean Atacama Desert began on the following day, the 8th February. In total, 417 kilometres of road had to be conquered, on more or less well-built tracks. The 3,450-metre high Paso Cordillera de Sal also had to be overcome on the way. On Wednesday 13th February, the transport reached the OSF (Operation and Service Facility) in the Chilean Atacama Desert without further incident. At a height of 2,900 metres, it forms the base station that supplies the Observatory at 5,100 metres. The antennas will also be delivered here and then transported to the high plateau on the SCHEUERLE vehicles.



The SCHEUERLE specialists also arrived at the same time for the assembly of the vehicles. This was followed by a series of final tests and the vehicles were prepared for their future use. More on this in a later report.



Pictures:



Picture 1:

The MS "CCNI Angol" arrives at Port Mejillones on 7th February 2008.



Picture 2:

Loading the antenna transporters onto road vehicles was also achieved on the same day.



Picture 3:

The heavy load convoy sets off on its 417-kilometre journey.



Picture 4:

The convoy reaches the Paso Barros Arana at a height of 3,400 metres.



Picture 5:

The Paso Cordillera de la Sal at a height of 3,450 metres…



Picture 6:

A huge challenge for the driving ability of the transporters because of its rock formations.



Picture 7:

Pushing and pulling is required.



Picture 8:

High-tech suits tradition.



Picture 9:

The convoy arrives at the OSF at 2,910 metres.



The ALMA Project

ALMA (Atacama Large Millimetre Array) is the name of the observatory that has been erected on the high plateau of the Chilean Atacama Desert. The largest antenna facility in the world is located here at 5,100 metres and is used to research the universe. The ALMA project has been realised in cooperation with Europe, East Asia, North America and Chile. The European involvement in this project is managed by the Munich-based ESO (European Southern Observatory). ESO was also responsible for procuring the antenna transporters. ESO found a partner in the Pfedelbach special vehicles manufacturer SCHEUERLE, that was in a position and had the know-how to realise the challenging transporter vehicle concept. The task of the two antenna transporters, which were given the names of Otto and Lore before they were shipped to Chile, is extraordinary: radio antennas in an antenna field must be moved with a paraboloid diameter of 12 metres and an individual weight of 115 tonnes. Depending on the research programme, the total 66 antennas must be continually repositioned. There are around 200 prepared bases for this purpose, which cover a distance of 15 kilometres. The special challenge for the transport vehicles are the environmental conditions. The transporters engine performance is around 50 %, because of the oxygen-deficient air. The Atacama plateau is also one of the driest areas on earth, shaped by extreme daily temperature changes between plus 30 degrees Celsius in the day and minus 15 degrees Celsius at night.



More Information:

SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Öhringer Str. 16

74629 Pfedelbach

Germany

Tel. ++49 (0)794 169 10

Mobile ++49 (0)171 873 0916

info@scheuerle.com

www.scheuerle.com



Press Office:

Yource GmbH - Lothar Riesenegger

Magirusstraße 33

89077 Ulm

Germany

Tel. ++49 (0)731 962 8782

Mobile ++49 (0)171 873 0916

lothar.riesenegger@yource.de

www.yource.de



SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Transporters from SCHEUERLE are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and special product quality. Reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long working life make the vehicles a very important component of modern logistical operations. The history of vehicle technology for heavy transport vehicles is closely connected with the name of SCHEUERLE and the company has a well-earned reputation of linking tradition and innovation. Together with KAMAG Transporttechnik in Ulm and NICOLAS Industries in Champs-sur-Yonne, France, SCHEUERLE belongs to the group of companies owned by the Heilbronn industrialist, Otto Rettenmaier. Within the group, the TII – Transporter Industry International heavy-load division is global market leader.