Schleppmaxxe reloaded 3.1

Steinbeis Transfer Centers and students develop battery-operated pushback tug

The Steinbeis Transfer Centers for Project Management and Uniform.Design at the Magdeburg University of Applied Sciences offered a particularly unique project to emerging designers last winter semester: the students redesigned an electric pushback tug for Como Systems GbR, a company based in the Lower Saxon city of Visbek. 

Como Systems had already developed a battery-operated pushback tug called “Schleppmaxxe” for the no-hassle towing of smaller aircrafts out of airport hangars/gates. Following an in-depth briefing from the company, the students – under the direction of Prof. Franz Hinrichsmeyer – drafted a new design concept for the tug. The concept included plans for compo­nents, configurations, interfaces and color concepts. The project aimed to create a new generation of wirelessly controlled aircraft tugs and to develop prospects and concepts for future innovation. Special emphasis was placed on rearranging the individual machine components in order to generate stowage space. 

The students discussed the developed design concepts with Como Systems employees on-site in Visbeck. The concepts were then evaluated and checked in terms of production feasibility. Thanks to a huge level of commitment, a design concept was implemented with CAD software in cooperation with the Steinbeis Transfer Center Uniform.Design. A prototype was then presented at the Hannover Messe 2013 industry trade fair . The “Schleppmaxxe 3.1” can lift almost all aircrafts (whether with simple or dual rear nose wheels) in seconds without cumbersome removal, repositioning or attachment of tow bars. In addition, it enables on-the-spot maneuverability thanks to a swivel-like mechanism. 

A model with a 1:4 ratio portrayed the tug’s shape and options for manu­facturing. Paper behaves similarly to sheet metal during pro­cessing, which made it the perfect material for simulating the overall prototype. The design of the new model closely resembles it predecessors. The triple color pattern on the front housing was maintained, but the colors themselves were replaced with a more neutral paint. The students positioned the key operational elements in the center of the machine and separated them from the others with an extra fitting component. A panel at the top of the machine indicates the direction of movement and operational processes. 

The patented new concept is now also equipped with a wireless security control system offering accurate control from all sides. The pulley system, also patented, allows for a fast and easy retraction of the nose wheels without additional rigging or connections. The aircraft can be turned at a moment’s notice without the bypass pins on the nose gear having to be removed. The machine’s ability to approach at low speeds serves to prevent accidents and damage. The BleiGel batteries are long lasting, and operational; maintenance and service costs are low. The students’ work left an all-round positive impression.

Contact

Professor Franz Hinrichsmeyer
Steinbeis Transfer Center Uniform.Design (Magdeburg)

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