Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

High-tech giant vehicle for the transportation of radio telescopes

named after Heilbronn industrialist Otto Rettenmaier

Before being shipped to its place of work in Chile, the vehicle was baptized with the name of "Otto” – named after Otto Rettenmaier, owner of the Pfedelbach-based special and heavy-load vehicle manufacturer, SCHEUERLE.The two radio telescope transporters are as extraordinary as the requirements placed on them: at a height of over 5,000 metres, they will be used to install radio telescopes on the largest antenna facility in the world, and will position these with millimetre accuracy on their foundations. With a width of 10 metres, 20 m long and around 6 metres high, they rank among the most impressive individual vehicles that have ever been built. SCHEUERLE was commissioned to produce both transporters by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) for the ALMA project (Atacama Large Millimetre Array) in Chile.



On the one hand, the naming is both an expression and recognition for the considerable engineering achievement in this project and, on the other, for Otto Rettenmaier´s services to the international heavy-load industry. After acquiring SCHEUERLE as a result of the bankruptcy proceedings in 1987, he was responsible for re-establishing the business as an efficient and highly productive company with a global reputation. Many world records have been set with vehicles from the Scheuerle production lines - ample proof of the innovative strength that is firmly entrenched in this high-tech enterprise. In 1995, Otto Rettenmaier also took over the French special vehicle manufacturer, NICOLAS, in Champs-sur-Yonne which was followed in 2004 with the acquisition of the Swabian manufacturer, Ulm-based KAMAG Transporttechnik. Under the banner of Tii (Transporter Industry International), Otto Rettenmaier has formed all three companies into becoming the leading group of manufacturers in the world market.



The fact that we are able to produce vehicles, using the experience and expertise of our employees, which are actually often considered not feasible has been proved by this radio telescope transporter project. Never before throughout the company´s long history have so many special requirements been placed in such a manner on the materials as well as the technology as we have experienced here. As a Baden-Württemberg company, we are very proud to have been able to make such an exceptional contribution for the space exploration sector, commented Otto Rettenmaier during the presentation of the first transporter.



The ALMA Project

The two radio telescope transporters for the ALMA Project in Chile were commissioned by the ESO (European Southern Observatory). On a high plateau in the Chilean Atacama Desert, the world´s largest radio telescope of the world is being installed and comprises a total of 66 antennas. The biggest challenge to the vehicle technology is the extreme height which almost halves the performance of the diesel engines. The vehicles must master the task of positioning the, in each case, almost 115 tonne radio telescopes on their foundations with millimetre accuracy.



Picture:

A giant-sized christening

Fabian Weingart, grandson of the Heilbronn industrialist Otto Rettenmaier, christens the 130-tonne radio telescope transporter with the name Otto.



More Information:

SCHEUERLE Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Öhringer Str. 16

74629 Pfedelbach / Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 7941/ 691-0

Mobil +49 (0) 171 / 873 0916

info@scheuerle.com

www.scheuerle.com



Press Office:

Yource GmbH - Lothar Riesenegger

Magirusstraße 33

89079 Ulm / Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 731 / 96 287 82

Mobil +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.