Approved Tech Repulsion Super-Shovel Mark I

[Cassus Akovin]

Image Source: N/a
Intent: To create a high-tech "shovel" that can move lots of material (such as mined out ores) with a singular individual
Development Thread: N/a
Manufacturer: A.S.Co.
Model: Ore Movement Repulsion Beam Generator Prototype
Affiliation: A.S.Co. Buyers
Modularity: Not easily
Production: Minor
Material: Basic Electronic Components, etc.
Description:

Strengths

• Is it a plane? Is it a bird? No it's super... shovel?: It really is, the most superist shovel there ever was! Capable of lifting items under 100 kilograms through the use of a Repulsor beam, generating two shells, one around the material desired, and one underneath. The shell surrounding the material however is of a weaker energy than the one expanding below, so as to allow the expanding lower shell to win out in the duel of repulsion between the two. Initially, the bottom shell is flat in order to scoop under the ground, but then expand to lift the material into the air as they repel away from each other. This is what creates the levitating aspect of the device, by controlling where that bottom shell is located in relation to the top shell which contains the desired material.
• It can also shove!: It isn't conceivably difficult to imagine how the repulsor shells could be used to push or lift objects around without any sort of mining purpose. It's merely a consequence of its amazing design.

Weaknesses

• Limited Power Supply: Converting reverse engineered technology meant for tasks much larger than the one it is currently being used for, means that there is a huge draw on power, and will require an energy pack (backpack sized) for extended use. Otherwise, consistent use of the device without a connected power supply will last all of five minutes. With the power supply, it can last up to an hour of consistent use before a recharge is necessary.
• 
  Unlodged Material Only: The shells are not strong enough to dislodge stone from a mountain, no more than an ordinary shovel could, so anything that is not firmly planted into the ground is fair game, like an ordinary shovel... except with a bigger area of effect and WAY more effective.
  
• Inaccurate/messy: Using elliptical spheres repelling against each does not make a super effective scoop, so while it can move quite a lot of loose material (up to the weight of a large person), it is likely to have a good portion of it spill out the sides or failed to be caught between the shells with their levitation. Someone looking for a clean means to haul loads of material by themselves should probably look to mining droids with repulsorlift carts.... but isn't that way more expensive than simply buying a single neat but slightly messy device?
• Heavy Device: The technology that makes remote levitation of objects without the use of the force is no laughing matter, and neither is its weight. Holding the "shovel", is like holding a minigun, or a full flamethrower if you have a power pack on your back. It probably isn't a super practical weapon, given that it weighs roughly 25 kilograms.
• Moderately Fragile: Anything from blaster shots, electricity, or large impacts can disrupt the mechanisms in the device and render it in need of internal repair. However, it is robust enough due to its size that after a short repair it will function entirely normally, if the damage was slight.
• Doesn't Work In Space: Fairly simple weakness, Repulsor Technology doesn't work outside of a gravity well. Not that you'd typically be mining in an environment without a gravity well, but it is a technical limitation.

Recognizing the need to streamline the process of mining materials, an effective means of moving material on a personal level beyond what she can physically carry, and utilizing her knowledge of Verpine (minor) and common technology in general, through general research and experience with repulsion devices, she decided to make the most advanced "shovel" in the galaxy. Essentially, she utilized her research on the Verpine Repulsor Beams which were intended to shepherd the asteroids in the system from crashing into anything important, by wrapping them in repulsor field shells that repelled and ricocheted off of each other harmlessly. She also knew about Repulsor hitches, which were commonly used to lift up to 200 kilogram items so that speeder bikes wouldn't have to carrying them on the vehicle. Using knowledge of both, she sought to miniaturize the Verpine technology and enhance the reverse engineered qualities of the beam generator with the strength seen in a repulsor hitch. The result was the full verpine capability to produce Repulsorfield Shells around any object she desired, with half the strength of a repulsor hitch, in a relatively "small" package the size of a very heavy weapon. All this so she could lifted mined ores into her ship or carts without having to carry it herself manually, or through the service of droids.
Primary Source: Repulsor Hitch, Repulsor Beam, Repulsorfield Shell

 

[Laira Darkhold]

RESEARCH REVIEW

Star Wars Canon:
Pending initial review

Starwars Chaos:
Pending initial review

WITHOUT DEV THREADS
Pending initial review

WITH DEV THREADS
Pending Initial review

SUGGESTIONS
Pending Inital review

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Its a shovel. Approved Pending Secondary.

 

[Cira]

Approved.