Browse by Editorial Category
Browse by Edition Date

April 2023

Skip Navigation Links.
Expand Applying TechnologyApplying Technology
Collapse Current NewsCurrent News
Pensacola State College Partners with LIFTs Operation Next Program
Alum-Renew Kit Quickly Restores Aluminum
Maverick Pipe Buys TexAmericas Centers Spec Building
Superabrasive Grinding Solutions
NSH USA Expands Automotive and Aerospace Presence in North America
Expanded Industrial Lever Hoist Range
Embedded Tracking Technology for IoT-Enabled Wooden Pallets
Zero-Point Workholding System
Registration Opens for ASSPs Safety 2023
Agreement to Fuel 3D Printing Post-Processing Growth
Press Shop of the Future
Plating System with Dripless Technology
AMT Mesago Messe Frankfurt Collaborate to Expand Automation
ANCA to Showcase Precision Machining Technology at PMTS 2023
BIG DAISHOWA Customers Give Back to Local Schools
Sigma Additive Solutions Forms In-Situ AcGovDustrial Network
SIXAI Launching Global Deployment of Autonomous Mobile Robots
Change from a Collet Chuck to Mandrel in Seconds
Costing Assistant Software
TCI Precision Metals Installs CNC Double-Disc Grinding Center
Marking Station with New Design
Thunder Creek Equipment Expands Iowa Manufacturing Plant
T. J. Snow Stocks Water Chillers for Industrial Applications
TSTC Precision Machining Technology Dual Enrollment Program
United Grinding North America Expands Distribution Network
United Grinding Precision Summit May 24-25 2023
Grinding Machine with Large Grinding Wheel
Verisurf Software and WENZEL America Announce OEM Reseller Agreement
Wandelbots Expands No-Code Solution to U.S.
High Density Live Positioning Solution
BMT Machinery Offers Sunmill VMCs
Faster and More Precise Bending Technology
Scalable Automation Solution
Caldwell Stand Enables Moon Lander Transportation
CGTech Celebrates 35th Anniversary
COE Ships Coil Line to Nucor
RE3DTECH plusGoProto Acquires Stanfordville Machine andamp; Manufacturing
New Technology and Innovation Labs
EASTEC 2023 Taking Place May 16-18
EMAG Group HPL Technologies Cooperation Agreement
FFG Americas Signs Distributor Partnership with Jones Machinery Inc.
Product Identification Solutions
Mobile Bending Table for Hydraulic Benders
Aerospace Medical and Mold 5-Axis Machining Applications at PMTS 2023
GTI Predictive Now VibePro
Gudel Inc. Expands Manufacturing Capacity
Hydra Service Purchased by Local Investment Group
Custom Maintenance-Free Toothed Belt Pulleys Delivered in 48 Hours
Custom DesignBuild Capabilities with Quick-Change Workholding at PMTS
Robots in Metalcutting
Medium Payload Robot
Precision Surface Grinders
Automated Line Inputs and Outputs
Expand Drilling-Tapping-ThreadingDrilling-Tapping-Threading
Expand EASTEC ShowEASTEC Show
Expand Medical ManufacturingMedical Manufacturing
Expand Metalforming-Fabricating-WaterjetMetalforming-Fabricating-Waterjet
Expand People In The NewsPeople In The News
Expand Replacement PartsReplacement Parts

show all editions →

Click here to watch Tutorial Videos >

Caldwell Stand Enables Moon Lander Transportation



The Caldwell Group Inc. has customized a 2,500-lb. capacity transport cradle for Intuitive Machines' lunar lander, Nova-C, which is scheduled to land on the moon later this year.

Nova-C final assembly is happening now in Houston, TX. When complete, the lander requires highly customized transportation to NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, FL, where it will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket. The short and long base assemblies designed by The Caldwell Group, delivered by Caldwell distributor Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company Inc., meet Nova-C's requirements for safe transport.

"Nova-C is Intuitive Machines' opportunity to return the United States to the surface of the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972," said Greg Vajdos, Intuitive Machines Assembly and Integration Lead. "The Caldwell stand is an essential piece to accomplishing our mission, and we are confident that Nova-C will be safely transported to KSC for launch."

The short base will be utilized when the lander is in an upright position-on wheels-and combined with the long base for movement and shipment in a horizontal position. An overhead crane and fork truck will likely combine for upending procedures at Intuitive Machines, while the cradle will also support it during transportation to KSC. There, two overhead cranes will work in tandem for all up and down-ending maneuvers.

"This is one of the most exciting projects Patrick Eytalis and I have worked on," said Dan Mongan, Caldwell New Product Development Specialist. "To be involved in such an iconic space program has been an engineering challenge and career highlight. Intuitive Machines gave us the ability to work with all stakeholders to bring the stand and transporter system to fruition. It is a testament to everyone's commitment to the end goal over countless hours of consultations and multiple design phases."

The frame was delivered by Caldwell distributor Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company Inc., a full-service rigging shop with manufacturing locations in Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston, TX. Intuitive structural engineers analyzed the entire system at the first lateral mode for bending at 15 Hz. Caldwell designed a 4:1 safety factor using twice its capacity in all directions and configurations and meets The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.20 BTH-2 Category B, Service Class 0.

"One of the most innovative parts of the system is the multiple configurations," said Mongan. "It is used to move the lander when it is vertical by towing and pushing by hand; it plays a pivotal role in up and down-ending before and after transportation operations in the horizontal position, and other handling capabilities demonstrated in multiple configurations that add agility to Intuitive Machines' operations."

The solution features a standard Caldwell lifting beam with swivel hooks, enabling a dual crane connection for moving the lander. This 96"-long beam is connected to the stand-by slings at a slight 86° angle from the beam. Kennedy, which provides an abundance of lifting gear to aerospace and other markets, took the lead on providing high-performance fiber rope slings to Intuitive, which will be used to lift the handling system in combination with various lifting technologies, depending on the location.

Brooks Nunley, Sales Manager at Kennedy, said: "It was a pleasure to work with the technical team at Caldwell to see the cradle that will eventually hold, transport and upend such a complex piece of equipment, come to fruition. Their engineering support was paramount to the success of this unique project. In three-way conversations with Caldwell, Kennedy and Intuitive, we suggested the use of Plasma high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fiber rope slings, which offer a size-for-size strength that is equal to steel wire rope-yet only one seventh of the weight. The weight savings without the sacrifice to strength makes Kennedy's high-performance sling product line ideal for the aerospace industry."

For more information contact:

The Caldwell Group Inc.

4080 Logistics Pkwy.

Rockford, IL 61109

800-628-4263

www.caldwellinc.com

< back