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Northrop Grumman is a leading producer of deployable space systems such as deployable booms, solar arrays, and antennas. In order to accurately test the deployment of these systems, the zero-gravity environment of space needs to be simulated on Earth. This requires a testing platform that can provide a frictionless environment and be able to endure a range of high and low temperatures. Nickolas Powell | James Ho | Marc Viray | Jenny Pham | Chandler Bartz Air Bearing Floor Off-Loader Test Kit Acknowledgements: Nathan Walker, Kirk Fields, Tyler Susko, Trevor Marks, Andy Weinberg, Sean Linley Portable OTK Conclusion Background Key Design Features Off-Loader Test Kit Exploded View Quantifying Friction Coefficient An all purpose off-loader test kit that utilizes air bearings was created to simulate deployment sequences with negligible friction Surface finish and flatness of the floor are vital to air bearing performance An epoxy substrate is used as the air bearing floor to create a flat, self-leveling, and frictionless surface A modular sub-frame which holds the epoxy substrate is scalable and portable for large scale testing To determine if the cured epoxy substrate can float an air bearing, a friction test rig was designed and built. Using the inclined plane method, a micrometer gradually raised one end of the platform until the air bearing displaced. Overview Actuating Pedestals Provides rough leveling capability Supports weight of assembly Modular Subfloor Assembly Allows testing area to be scaled Can disassemble for portability Epoxy Substrate Creates smooth surface Enhances leveling properties of floor Modular design allows for scalability and fast assembly Components were chosen to operate from -60°C to 60°C More epoxy substrates that can consistently produce a desirable flatness tolerance and surface finish must be tested in the future Epoxy Angle Friction Coefficient Pro Marine Epoxy 0.03528° 0.0006 Test Rig CAD Model Test Rig w/ 20lb Weight Adjustable Pedestals Steel Tiles Aluminum 90° Gates Nuts & Bolts **Release film & Epoxy substrate to be placed on steel tiles Off-Loader Design Concept Air Bearing

Air Bearing Floor Off-Loader Test Kit - Engineering Capstone

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Page 1: Air Bearing Floor Off-Loader Test Kit - Engineering Capstone

Northrop Grumman is a leading producer of deployablespace systems such as deployable booms, solar arrays,and antennas. In order to accurately test the deploymentof these systems, the zero-gravity environment of spaceneeds to be simulated on Earth. This requires a testingplatform that can provide a frictionless environment andbe able to endure a range of high and low temperatures.

Nickolas Powell | James Ho | Marc Viray | Jenny Pham | Chandler BartzAir Bearing Floor Off-Loader Test Kit

Acknowledgements:Nathan Walker, Kirk Fields, Tyler Susko, Trevor Marks, Andy Weinberg, Sean Linley

Portable OTK

Conclusion

Background

Key Design Features

Off-Loader Test Kit

Exploded View

Quantifying Friction Coefficient

● An all purpose off-loader test kit that utilizes airbearings was created to simulate deploymentsequences with negligible friction

● Surface finish and flatness of the floor are vital to airbearing performance

● An epoxy substrate is used as the air bearing floor tocreate a flat, self-leveling, and frictionless surface

● A modular sub-frame which holds the epoxy substrateis scalable and portable for large scale testing

To determine if the cured epoxy substrate can float an air bearing, a friction test rig was designed and built. Using the inclined plane method, a micrometer gradually raised one end of the platform until the air bearing displaced.

Overview

Actuating Pedestals▪ Provides rough leveling capability▪ Supports weight of assembly

Modular Subfloor Assembly▪ Allows testing area to be scaled▪ Can disassemble for portability

Epoxy Substrate▪ Creates smooth surface▪ Enhances leveling properties of floor

▪ Modular design allows for scalability and fast assembly▪ Components were chosen to operate from -60°C to 60°C ▪ More epoxy substrates that can consistently produce a

desirable flatness tolerance and surface finish must be tested in the future

Epoxy Angle Friction Coefficient

Pro Marine Epoxy 0.03528° 0.0006

Test Rig CAD Model

Test Rig w/ 20lb WeightAdjustable Pedestals

Steel Tiles Aluminum 90° Gates

Nuts & Bolts

**Release film & Epoxy substrate to be placed on steel tiles

Off-Loader Design Concept

Air Bearing