The Vehicle Mass Dummy (VMD) is designed to be used during AIT (Assembly, Integration and Testing) activities within the frame of the SPACE RIDER program.
The VMD is intended to represent the vehicle mass in different loading conditions, ensuring accurate simulation during integration and test operations.
Structure and Materials
The VMD is constituted by:
- An aluminium ring, bolted to the VMD main body;
- A VMD main body made of S355JR steel, divided into three welded sub-assemblies, which are bolted to each other to complete the structure.
This modular design allows ease of assembly and reconfiguration while ensuring structural strength and stability.
Configurations
The VMD is reconfigurable in three different configurations:
- Nominal Configuration – represents the vehicle nominal weight;
- 1.5X Configuration – represents the vehicle Safe Working Load weight;
- 2X Configuration – represents the vehicle proof load weight.
To reach the 1.5X and 2X configurations, up to a maximum of 8 steel bars can be integrated into the VMD structure.
Centre of Gravity Adjustment
Several dedicated masses and corresponding holes to move them have been introduced in the VMD design in order to set the correct Centre of Gravity (CoG) position during manufacturing. This solution ensures accurate mass distribution and proper representativity of the vehicle behaviour during AIT activities.
Lifting Configurations
In nominal configuration, the VMD can be lifted by:
No. 4 M24 eye-bolts for the Horizontal Lifting Configuration;
No. 4 dedicated brackets for the Vertical Lifting Configuration.
This allows safe and flexible handling of the VMD during integration and testing operations.
