Polymer Shielding Mounting Frame
Modular Aluminum Frames with Robotic-Mate Hardware
The polymer shielding mounting frame is a structural assembly of 6061-T6 aluminum extrusions and stainless steel clips designed to support HDPE and BPE radiation shielding panel stacks. Operating in the lunar environment, the structure utilizes one-sixth gravity to minimize frame mass to 2 kg per 1.0 by 2.0-meter panel, maintaining framework mass below 5% of the total shielding mass. Dedicated vibration mounts decouple the assembly from habitat structural thermal cycling, while standardized robotic-mate hardware allows automated manipulators to access and replace panel modules across a 50-year operating life.
Modular aluminum frames supporting HDPE/BPE panel stack with robotic-mate hardware for L1-MNT replacement.
Purpose
Modular aluminum frames supporting HDPE/BPE panel stack with robotic-mate hardware for L1-MNT replacement.
Context
Child of L2-RAD-POLY within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Aluminum extrusion frames hold panels with mechanical clips
- ▸Panel sizes standardised to robotic gripper
- ▸Frame mass minimised — <5% of panel mass
- ▸Vibration mounts decouple from L1-STR thermal cycling
- ▸Tool-less assembly enables future panel additions
Typical implementations
- ▸Industrial cleanroom modular panels
- ▸Aerospace cabin lining heritage
Lunar considerations
- ▸1/6 g enables thinner frames vs Earth
- ▸Robotic accessibility for replacement
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Modular aluminum frames supporting HDPE/BPE panel stack with robotic-mate hardware for L1-MNT replacement. |
| frame mass per panel kg | 2 |
| panel size m | 1.0, 2.0 |
Physical
| mass kg | 200 |
| materials | 6061-T6 Al extrusion, Stainless clips, Vibration mounts |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 50 |
| mtbf hours | 1000000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Panel support
- Inner panel support
Requires
- Bulkhead attachment
- Panel mate force ~50 N
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Polymer Shielding Mounting Frame" (L3-RAD-POLY-MOUNT). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-RAD-POLY-MOUNT
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.