AGVs, Tugs, & Transporters

Nova-Tech has a rich history in providing successful guided and unguided vehicle solutions for a wide array of payload size, load, and drawbar requirements. Vehicles may utilize one or a combination of guidance technologies to achieve the desired motion path and accuracy for the given application.

Boeing 737 Wing Assembly Transporter

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Wing transporters for moving production line
  • Integrated lift mechanism
  • Reconfigurable part cradle

Gulfstream G650 Wing Join/Transporter

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Wing transport dollies and tug for wing join and transport to final join
  • Manually guided tug with omni-directional movement

Boeing 737 Moving Line Tug

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Metal tape guidance
  • Lifts nose gear and tows spine

Boeing 777 Systems & Integration (S&I) Crawlers

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Pendant and autonomously controlled transport of 777 FWD and Aft fuselage through moving production line – S&I, final body join, and final assembly
  • Reconfigurable for 777 variants
  • Utility distribution for towed workstands

ULA Delta IV Tank Transports with Rotation

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance

Modular Wheelset System (MWS) & Powered Wheelsets

For years Nova-Tech has developed custom drive/steer wheelsets to meet a wide range of draw bar and load requirements. Wheelsets are used in groups or in conjunction with casters to provide a means to move large parts, tools and equipment throughout the factory for a variety of applications.

Nova-Tech has recently developed a family of compact, modular drive/steer wheelsets and controls called the Modular Wheelset System (MWS) that can be easily fitted to existing equipment (e.g. workstands, mobile robot platforms, etc.) to provide greater mobility, flexibility and safety while eliminating the need for forklifts or powered tugs.

Boeing 777 Workstand MWS

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Total of 34 wheelsets installed on 17 trollies
  • Supports lean production line operations

Bombardier C-Series Mobile Wing & Spar Trollies with MWS

  • Turnkey supply: design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Total of 34 wheelsets installed on 17 trollies
  • Supports lean production line operations

Powered Wheelsets

  • Traction and steering drive options include: electric, hydraulic, pneumatic
  • Transmission options include: geared, chain, belt, planetary, single or multi-speed
  • Power source options include: battery, umbilical, LP, compressed air
  • Guidance technology includes: inductive sensor – metal tape/wire, vision system, and laser
  • Full range of load, speed, draw bar and suspension capabilities

Monorail & Transfer Systems

As todays aerospace production lines move toward lean manufacturing methods there is an increasing need for monorail and local transfer systems move parts. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Nova-Tech typically utilizes commercially available products or teams with monorail/crane experts to offer fully integrated handling, tooling, and controls solutions.

BAE Systems F-35 Pulse Line

  • 2011 award
  • Turnkey supply: integration, design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Monorail based pulse line systems for aft boom and empennage assembly
  • Multi-phase implementation

BAE upgrades part production facilities at fighter jet factory > Read more

Bombardier Aerospace – Belfast – Spar Tool Transfer System

  • 2011 award
  • Turnkey supply: integration, design, build, installation, acceptance
  • Gantry style overhead manipulator transfers forming tools between storage system and AGVs