Lightweight Carriage
The Lightweight Carriage is a replacement for the steel carriage. This Carriage weights approximately 1200 pounds, a reduction of 600 pounds from steel sled increasing workable payload to 5600 pounds.
The carriage frame is fabricated of 6061-T6 aluminum. Utilizing a welded construction, the frame is vibratory stress relieved after manufacture to prevent distortion from use. The bolt pattern top , side and ends is similar to standard carriages, allowing fixturing to be moved with little of no modifications. Holes are ½-13 UNC-2B or M12X1.75 . Other bolt hole sizes or patterns can be provided, if desired.
Brakes provide initial braking force during the shot accept pressure up to 500 pounds. Brake assembly parts are the same as steel sled ( reaction plate, brake pistons, slider pucks, etc.) so parts are interchangeable and allowing the use of existing replacement parts.
Emergency brake system consisting of an on-board storage tank, valve, pressure transducer and actuating switch. A ramp (cam) is positioned along the track with magnets or mounting brackets, should the carriage proceed too far down the track, the ramp trips switch to open the tank valve and 500 psi is dumped to the brakes to quickly stop the carriage. Since the switch is a normally closed type and the valve is a normally open, any interruption of power, such as a damaged umbilical cable, will act as a fail-safe.
A brake hose interlock is included to provide signal that the brake fill hose has been disconnected prior to firing.
Carriage Turret
HYGETM offers a rotating frame designed to mount on the Lightweight Carriage. The turret frame is fabricated from aluminum, with the same hole pattern as the steel and Lightweight main carriage.
The combined weight of main (Lightweight) and turret section is 1800 pounds equal to the weight steel sled. The carriage frame is fabricated of 6061-T6 aluminum. Utilizing a welded construction, the frame is vibratory stress relieved after manufacture to prevent distortion from use. The bolt pattern top , side and ends is similar to standard carriages, allowing fixturing to be moved with little of no modifications. Holes are ½-13 UNC-2B or M12X1.75 . Other bolt hole sizes or patterns can be provided, if desired.
When mounted, the turret frame may be rotated to offset up to 45° in either direction, in 2½° increments. It may also be set at 90° to direction of travel.
When mounted on the Lightweight Carriage, the Turret option still allows a 5,000 pound payload.