Modular Dual Drive Bridge Crane by MATSUMA (Modded)

[ElonsMusk]

Are you bored of the standard KSP rocket launch experience? Do you like building "reusable" rockets but wish you actually re-assemble them? 

Have you tried building a rocket verticator vehicle and now have no hair left because you pulled it all out?

Do you just generally want to lift massive payloads up in the air and side to side for reasons you wish to keep secret?

Then this vehicle is for YOU!

Introducing Modular Dual Drive Bridge Crane 5600 by Matsuma! This modular design allows you to lift just about anything you can access by flatish terrain. MATSUMA ORBITAL uses this as a crawlerway-crawler for restacking rockets enabling full rocket reuse. The default design measurements take this into account: it stands about as tall as the interior of the VAB (67m),  and exactly as wide as the KSClvl3 crawlerway (35m). However, you can make it as stout or as tall as you need, taking advantage of Procedural Parts. The upper crossbars are in symmetry, while the lower verticals are not (including each drive section). Aside from some struts needing to be reset, size adjustments should be as simple as changing a few Part Action Window values.

205 parts can be further reduced by changing the design of the crane hook and pendant. After all, the 14 winches, their connection, and parent parts add a lot to the part count. The default design winches means something else in the vessel will likely fail before the winch connections. The connection should be Gantry>Structural Part>Structural Part>Winch to allow the winch to Grandparent Strut. Meaning the minimum crane hook could be as low as 4 parts.

The wheels are made from Motors + Mk3 Tanks(x2) which have 50m/s and 50G tolerance making them robust. Wheel stretching with extremely heavy loads is normal. Surface speed is variable with the wheel throttle, but future refinement can be done by change the Length of the Driver KALs.

 

MATSUMA generally prefers stock designs, and this crane is based off the CBGC-90S. However, with KSP development 'complete', future designs will likely, like this one, be built with the best mods in mind to reduce part count and maximize function. Booster and elevator sold separately. This crane does the same jobs, with more reliability, as the Stock CBGC-90/60 but with less than half the part count. It also no longer requires the crawlerway as a rail and can drive itself around anywhere (including the crawlerway)

200 tons on the hook causes nominal stretching, still works.

Edited October 22, 2023 by ElonsMusk
refinements

[Azimech]

I like your mind. Don't know how you made that blueprint but it looks good. I'm even a bit jealous. And great engineering.

Let's see what you can do with 100% stock.

[Kerbart]

You could put the vertical beams on the corners above the wheels. It's nearly the same amount of material but it'd be much stiffer (assuming some cross-bracing but even without it), if only because they're not mounted on top of that horizontal bar that acts like a spring. Real life RTG's are always constructed that way.

[ElonsMusk]

On 12/9/2023 at 9:28 AM, Azimech said:

I like your mind. Don't know how you made that blueprint but it looks good. I'm even a bit jealous. And great engineering.
 

Thanks! The blueprint's are easy, just a bit tedious.
 

Quote

Let's see what you can do with 100% stock.

In fact, the stock version proceeded development on modded version. It's a lot more parts, but it's part of a set. I think it's the link in my signature, as well. The set includes other ground vehicles for recovery, and a reusable booster.