Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Mega truck positions radio telescopes with millimetre accuracy

on world´s biggest antenna facility at a height of 5,000 metres

An unparalleled show of awesome vehicle technology is an apt description of the two special transporters from SCHEUERLE which are being delivered to the European Southern Observatory – ESO – in South America. Not only are the dimensions of the enormous super trucks extremely impressive but the operational conditions are also very demanding: at a height of 5,000 metres, the two vehicles have to transport radio telescopes each weighing 115 tonnes and with a diameter of 12 metres up to a high plateau in the Chilean Andes.



Each of the two transporters from SCHEUERLE is 20 metres long, 10 metres wide, 6 metres high and weighs 130 tonnes. The most extraordinary aspect about the project is the operational conditions for the two special vehicles which will be used on the 5,000 m high Llano de Chajnantor site in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. This ALMA ground-based astronomy project involves construction of the world´s largest antenna complex with participants from Europe, Eastern Asia, North America and Chile. The reason for choosing this unusual location is the extremely dry conditions which is a prerequisite for the use of these highly sensitive antenna systems. With these, scientists can explore deep into the universe and carry out research on celestial bodies and whole galaxies with the observational data. Due to diverse research projects, different arrangements and positioning of the altogether 66 radio telescopes is also required. These are installed on 200 specially-built foundations in an area covering 15 x 15 kilometres, and the radio telescopes can be positioned accordingly depending on the research project. The special task for the transporters is to ensure the exact positioning of the radio telescopes on their respective foundations. This means all telescopes can be activated in unison and, functioning as one single antenna, reach unimaginable large distances into outer space. In this configuration, the antennas are 10-times more accurate than the Hubble space telescope.



The first task for the two vehicles will be transporting the radio telescopes from the base camp to the high plateau. At the base camp, located at a height of 2,900 metres above sea level, the telescopes are assembled and then brought to the observatory site situated at a height of over 5,000 metres. The 28 kilometre long gravel road has a gradient of up to 10% in places.



For this challenging transportation assignment, the Pfedelbach-based special vehicle manufacturer, SCHEUERLE, developed and built the two transporters. Moving each of the around 115-tonne units would not be a problem in itself if it were not for the fact that the vehicles are used at extremely high altitudes. The low oxygen content not only causes problems for people working in these conditions but it also reduces the efficiency of the diesel engines. Therefore, in spite of the fact that each transporter has been equipped with two 1,360 hp engines, this only results in a performance of around 820 hp at this height.



In spite of its enormous dimensions, the special transporter can be operated by only one person. Sensitive driving is made possible by the hydrostatic drive which guarantees accurate positioning of the radio telescopes on the foundations – down to the nearest millimetre. At the same time, the electronically regulated all-wheel steering system supports precise manoeuvring operations in order to lift the sensitive antennas from the foundations or re-position them using specially-developed pick-up equipment which functions similar to that of an inclined elevator. Both the drive system and brakes must fulfil special requirements with regard to reliability and safety. In particular, when driving on the access road to the high plateau, with its 10% gradient and gravel surface, powerful traction drive is required - here, the driving power is transferred via large-dimensioned tyres complete with special profiles to the roadway itself.



Safe and reliability during working operations are of the utmost priority for both vehicles. This requirement is also conveyed through the set-up of the driver´s cab which is equipped in the form of a rolling control centre with a wide range measuring instruments, monitors and control elements. In order to rule out any operating errors, all functions are monitored by specially developed electronic and sensor technology that provides the driver with an up-to-the-second status report on all important functional units. The driver´s cab provides pleasant working conditions for personnel and, due to safety considerations, there is always a two-man crew on duty.



The design and construction of the vehicles provided SCHEUERLE engineers with a completely new challenge. Conditions had to be fulfilled which had never before been realized with any other vehicle. For the Pfedelbach-based special vehicle manufacturer, its wealth of experience accumulated from the development of a wide range of special vehicle solutions proved to be very beneficial for this project. Vehicles had already been produced for use in permafrost regions as well as for transport operations in areas subject to extreme heat conditions. However, a new dimension was reached with the development of the two radio telescope transporters for the ESO.



High-tech from Baden-Württemberg.

For this special transporter project, mainly companies from the German state of Baden-Württemberg have been involved. Thus, key components originate from the production lines of enterprises based in the region – an area where "one can do everything except speak High German”, a reference here to the very broad Swabian dialect spoken here. A look at the requirement profiles of individual components leads one to imagine that a unique type of cooperation between highly-skilled specialists was actually possible. Everything that could normally be used in series production either was unusable or had to be modified for the radio telescope transporter project due to the special operating conditions. The flexibility and the pioneer spirit of the Baden-Württemberg companies contributed to the fact that such an extraordinary project, as the radio telescope transporter turned out to be, could actually be realized.



Picture:

Each of the two transporters from SCHEUERLE is 20 metres long, 10 metres wide, 6 metres high and weighs 130 tonnes.



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.