That 30 dton Cutter Module ...

[Vile]

My earlier Advanced Base thread keeps coming back to the potential of the 30 dton cutter module as space-proof building blocks for small space stations or vacuum-world outposts. 30 dtons is a respectable bit of volume, and there are probably endless ready-made permutations so there's not much need to customise the interiors.

Here's the thing, though - as they stand (going by the Traders and Gunboats floorplans (which are probably not that accurate), they can only really be plugged together end-to-end. That's fine for two or three, but after that the whole affair gets a bit too train-like. What these modules need is a connecting piece, a multi-directional plumbing joint. Sort of like this:

 

[Vile]

With the connector blocks, you can pretty much go crazy and build your international cutter module space station:

Or plug together a more compact asteroid base:

 

[coliver988]

those are great!

the GT:Modular Cutter book has lots of the cutter modules detailed. Useful for any version of Traveller.

So take a few of your couplers, an engineering module for power, a comm module and a personnel module, and voila, instant class D high port (or stick it on the ground, since those connecters have flat sides, you could build a modular city on the ground).

Again - really wonderful.

 

[Gadrin]

What program are you using ?

You might want to check out the GURPS Modular Cutter, which is basically 50+ pages of floorplans and variants. And they get into the couplings.

They have the "two pack" which is side-by-side with a bridge tacked on and the "long cutter" which is two or three in a row, all in 3d art.

Floor plans are just hex drawings.


>

 

[pendragonman]

Anyone else notice that these things end up looking like a hampster Habitrail habitat?

http://www.habitrail.com/

 

[jawillroy]

I like these. What do you figure for tonnage on the connectors?

 

[Vile]

What program are you using ?

Google SketchUp Pro. These are not really meant to be rendered images, I just use SketchUp a lot in the design process (at work and at play) because it really helps to spot those things which look ok in 2D but just plain don't work int the 3D world.

Anyone else notice that these things end up looking like a hampster Habitrail habitat?

Man, those things look great! If I had time to build the wardrobe full of anime models I've got already, I'd get some of those hamster habitats and kitbash some space stations out of them!

They're basically 7m cubes, so about 24 dtons. Actually, I'd like to figure out a way in which the connectors could be carried by cutters themselves. It would make the whole modular idea more realistic.

So take a few of your couplers, an engineering module for power, a comm module and a personnel module, and voila, instant class D high port (or stick it on the ground, since those connecters have flat sides, you could build a modular city on the ground).

That was the idea with the last two images. Still have to work out how they stand up, but I think there's room in the corners of the connectors to have some hydraulic legs for standing on (and holding onto) those knobbly planetoids.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

*and the thread bandit strikes again!*

*yoinks* "Thank you!" says the polite man in the mask as he lifts the URL to this thread too.

Wonderful work and thanks for the Sketch Up tip, might have to hunt that down...

 

[jawillroy]

Actually, I'd like to figure out a way in which the connectors could be carried by cutters themselves. It would make the whole modular idea more realistic.

Maybe a version of the cutter module could be manufactured so that at one end there were connector points on the sides? So you have the end connectors, as well as side fittings for up to four more? I figure they could stay streamlined - they wouldn't have to fit flush, just link up the access hatches. You'd need power conduits, and maybe some external bracing...

 

[robject]

This is good, fun stuff.

(Thinking) At some point, some or all modules might have an integral power source. Distributed power: one section loses power, the linking ones can carry the burden. Maybe a maintenance nightmare, or a maintenance solution, I don't know which...

Maybe a version of the cutter module could be manufactured so that at one end there were connector points on the sides? So you have the end connectors, as well as side fittings for up to four more?

That sounds like it has potential. How about a pair of half-length modules with connectors then?

 

[coliver988]

....They're basically 7m cubes, so about 24 dtons. Actually, I'd like to figure out a way in which the connectors could be carried by cutters themselves. It would make the whole modular idea more realistic....

maybe to connectors can be broken down. of course, you'd have to be able to fold the actual sides to fit them inside the cutter (i.e., they are taller than the modules are wide). But you could then use a general open cargo cutter module & pack it with a few folded connectors. Then one of the cutters that can carry multiple modules (or the modular starship that is based on combining the 30dT modules along w/a jump module & fuel module) could be jumped in-system, unpack & unfold the connectors, connect the modules, and in a few short hours have a ready-made station.

As per others - snipping these pictures in case I ever get to play again (yet another old fart who has not actually played in decades... )

 

[Gadrin]

Whoa! I just googled for "google sketchup" and went thru the introductory vids on YouTube they have.

Very nice!

I like the sketch look most of all.

>

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

*smiles*

...

As per others - snipping these pictures in case I ever get to play again (yet another old fart who has not actually played in decades... )

Who there are a lot of around here aren't there...

 

[Andrew Boulton]

The new Spanish Antarctic Research Station, Juan Carlos I, is very similar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/sci_nat_enl_1210250466/html/1.stm

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

coolie beans.

pretty slick andrew, pretty slick. funny they look like they should be heloed in or driven on skis....

 

[jawillroy]

My earlier Advanced Base thread keeps coming back to the potential of the 30 dton cutter module as space-proof building blocks for small space stations or vacuum-world outposts. 30 dtons is a respectable bit of volume, and there are probably endless ready-made permutations so there's not much need to customise the interiors.

You've got me thinking: dangerous stuff, that! I've been designing a Frontier Trader: a relatively hardy Jump-2 armed merchant, short on passengers, and as long on cargo as possible. I've been envisioning it with a zippy little ship's boat to give the merchant a few more options. Now, on second thoughts, I'm going to try a version with a cutter; the modules would be "Factor's Units" - small craft staterooms for the factor and perhaps three assistants, and the rest given over to cargo. The cutter drops in, situates the module, and lifts: the ship goes on its way. Meanwhile, the factor - with his portable warehouse with him - gets busy selling what he brought, and has time to get good prices on what to ship out. When the ship comes back, the module should be full.

That's the theory, anyhow. When the ship comes back, the module could be blown and the factor and his assistants could be dead...

 

[Andrew Boulton]

pretty slick andrew, pretty slick. funny they look like they should be heloed in or driven on skis....

Or landed by Thunderbird 2...

The yellow bit is a 3-way connector.

This cutaway is the only other pic I can find.

http://www.nce.co.uk/imageGallery.h...mages/antartica_resized_150_tcm15-1327763.jpg

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

T-Bird 2!

Or landed by Thunderbird 2...

...

I mean we are talking about the big green machine...right? God, I love that ship, it is the coolest! Thanks again Andrew! Now I can feel almost reallll old.

 

[far-trader]

Oh great, now I've got the Thunderbirds theme music playing in my head the rest of the day :nonono:

...hey wait a sec, that ain't so bad

 

[far-trader]

Nice cutaway pic Andrew, but I have to wonder, how much work are scientists going to get done? I'd never want to leave my cozy room with the comfy couch and two big screen tvs To go out in the cold and wind to study ice and penguins?! Forget that, fire up the console games and play all night! All 4 months of it :rofl: