New generation Zeppelin to be used for commercial passenger flights

Citation

(1998), "New generation Zeppelin to be used for commercial passenger flights", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770aaf.008

New generation Zeppelin to be used for commercial passenger flights

New generation Zeppelin to be used for commercial passenger flights

Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH, the original manufacturers of Zeppelin and subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin, and Microcadam, the leading vendor of midrange mechanical CAD/CAM systems, have worked closely together to develop a new generation Zeppelin airship that will be used for commercial passenger flights within the next 12 months. Zeppelin also plan to build a larger airship in the future using the 3D capabilities of Microcadam's Helix Design System.

It had been almost half a century since the legendary airships of Count Zeppelin were airborne when Luftschiffbau decided to investigate the technical and commercial viability of a new airship. Following two years of market research and technical tests, the company began designing a modern version of the original "rigid airship". The airship is expected to be ready for passenger flights following a series of test and registration flights.

The Zeppelin New Technology (NT) Airship

Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik target markets also include tourism, environmental research, meteorology and air pollution analysis. The airships can be used as flying cameras or investigative platforms due to their ability to "hover" in the air.

Using modern calculation and design methods, investment in the new Zeppelin has been relatively low. The new airship supporting construction can be manufuctured quite economically by Zeppelin at reasonable costs compared to the old construction method.

Klaus Hagenlocher, attorney and program manager at Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik explains: "Based on our 2D data, we were able to regenerate critical parts in 3D and detect design faults before the production of parts. Having completed the new Zeppelin we are really looking forward to the first flight, and plan to build another, larger airship in the future using the 3D capabilities of Helix Design System."

In contrast to the traditional airships made of riveted aluminium braces with a round profile frame, the new Zeppelin NT (New Technology) is a triangular construction made of high-tech laminated materials, which is 60 per cent lighter.

The cover of the airship is made of Tevlar and polyester materials, which are not only resistent against solar rays and 50 per cent lighter than traditional materials, but are also tear-resistent.

Klaus Hagenlocher comments: "We have made very good use of the Helix Design System, especially following the switch from the 2D to the 3D version."

Pauric Surlis, Director of European Operations at Microcadam, comments: "We are proud to contribute to the modern technology revival of a very special tradition. Zeppelin has used both MICRO CADAM and its succeeding 3D Helix Design System, and has been actively supported by our Central European subsidary TCM Transcat Microcadam GmbH."

Details from Microcadam. Tel: 01628 488166; Fax: 01628 488199; e-mail: psurlis@microcadam.co.uk