By LEAH FLETCHER
KSU Technology Development Institute
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's Technology Development Institute, or TDI, recently partnered with RPMC LLC of Almena in Norton County on a new device for moving aircraft around the tarmac and into hangars.
The device was developed to support maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO, operations and help facilities use limited hangar space more efficiently. To accomplish this, the ability to maneuver aircraft into tight locations with precision control is critical.
One challenge faced by MRO facilities is safely and accurately positioning aircraft within hangars, where available space is often limited and moving aircraft can be difficult.
Recognizing this challenge, RPMC examined other types of equipment currently being used to address the concern. Several types of vehicles were available on the market, but the cost of the equipment was often out of reach for many MROs across the country. This created an opportunity to develop a cost-effective solution capable of moving and positioning aircraft in tight locations.
The company identified the market opportunity and immediately began work on the first prototype. The initial proof of concept demonstrated the potential of the invention but did not include many of the functional features required to meet market demand, such as a battery-powered drivetrain and wireless remote control. Although the prototype was operational and validated the concept, the company recognized that additional engineering expertise and resources would be necessary to further develop the product and prepare it for real-world testing.
RPMC contacted the Northwest Kansas Economic Development Innovation Center, or NWKEIC, to discuss the project and available resources that could assist with the development of the new device. The Innovation Center connected the company with TDI to evaluate the idea and determine next steps. Through its mission of helping Kansas entrepreneurs bring innovative products to market, TDI provided support throughout the product development process.
TDI assisted the company in applying for the Kansas Department of Commerce Proof of Concept grant program to obtain initial funding for market research and demonstrations using the existing prototype. The team then used information gathered from those demonstrations to inform the design of the second-generation prototype.
Both TDI and NWKEIC provided funding support, in addition to RPMC funding, to design and build the second-generation system.
"The unit is designed to move small aircraft all the way up through regional jets and up to a narrow-body 737 or A320 aircraft," said Bret Lanz, commercialization director at TDI. "It has taken several years for us to get through the product development process, but being able to conduct the customer research, use that information in the redesign of the system, source all of the required components and complete fabrication, it's very rewarding to see it on the tarmac actually moving aircraft.
"This collaboration highlights TDI's role in helping innovators transform ideas into market-ready technologies. By combining the company's idea with TDI's engineering and commercialization expertise, the team has accelerated development and advanced the product toward commercialization.K-State's Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering received a grant from the Research and Entrepreneurship Federal Matching Grant Dollars Fund and is a recipient of a grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to support rural entrepreneurship.
TDI provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products and technologies.