Full-Service Sheet Metal Fabrication Solutions–
from Engineering Design to Production
June 2010
Mission Accomplished
Helping the Guard Stay Charged
When the U.S. National Guard contracted a Menlo Park, Calif., R&D firm to create a soldier-tracking system for use during field training exercises, the firm contracted Airtronics to design and equip a battery-service trailer (BST) capable of charging 2,048 lithium-ion batteries overnight. The batteries are used in the GPS systems worn by the soldiers during training exercises. Used in concert with a laser tag-like system, the GPS tracking system creates a 3-D model of every maneuver so trainers can critique what went right and wrong.
Our mission was to design, fabricate and install 16 special equipment racks to house the charging units; fan tray and fire-suppression systems, HVAC and duct systems. Building the racks was the easy part. The challenges were designing and planning the electrical systems to allow powering the trailer from four separate external generators, and balancing the airflow through each rack. Jim Ellis, vice president of engineering, designed the racks, cooling system and mechanical structures. Chris Sattler, quality service manager and electrical engineer, designed the electrical system and oversaw the installation of the electrical and cooling systems. Chris’s prior military experience gave him first-hand knowledge of the field operations and environmental conditions he should factor into the system designs.
We delivered the trailer ahead of schedule and within budget. The customer was pleased with the result. They ordered two more, and we just delivered the second.
