Electric tugs ease loading of aerostructures in and out of autoclave

 

The MasterMover (Ashbourne, U.K.) MT600+ electric tug, part of the company’s MasterTug range, reportedly enables a single operator to easily push, pull and steer wheeled loads up to 6,000 kilograms. 

According to the company, operators at aerospace manufacturing facilities can use the MT600+ to more easily load and unload composite materials from an autoclave, saving time and minimizing risk of injury compared to moving with trolleys and other methods. The MT600+ reportedly enables maximum control over load movement, reducing potential for damage to materials and components.

According to MasterMover, aerospace parts manufacturer KCI Composites Inc. (KCI;  Sacheon, South Korea) had previously used a trolley to move 6-tonne composite aircraft parts in and out of the autoclave, but experienced issues related to the lack of ability to control the load on the trolley while pulling the trolley out of the autoclave. MasterMover’s sales partner Sung Wong Co. completed a site evaluation at KCI’s plant in Sacheon, and recommended an MT600+ as the ideal solution.