SIROCCO | High Payload Motion Hexapod

SIROCCO high payload motion hexapod, in a nutshell

A hexapod is a platform with a parallel structure that facilitates motion across six degrees of freedom (DOF), making it suitable for testing and calibrating systems or simulating dynamic environments.

The SIROCCO hexapod is a 6 DOF motion platform with high payload capability (up to 2 tons) and high velocity (up to 2 m/s). The SIROCCO hexapod is very popular for heavy swell simulation as well as a submarine simulator, thanks to the large movement amplitude and angle it can achieve combined with the high speed. This hexapod is ideal for applications such as analyzing liquid motion, animating models, or simulating vehicle dynamics.

Additionally, it can incorporate a separate six-degree-of-freedom measurement system, enabling real-time control of the moving plate’s position independent of the motion generator.

SIROCCO high velocity hexapod, in more details

SIROCCO hexapod application examples

1. Sloshing study: GTT designs cryogenic membrane containment systems used in the shipbuilding industry for the transport of liquid natural gas (LNG). The SIROCCO hexapod allows GTT laboratories to study the impact of moving liquid, also called sloshing, on their insulation.
2. Submarine simulator: Naval Group uses SIROCCO hexapods as submarine simulators for training purposes to reproduce the emergency situations that submarine crews might encounter during a mission.
3. Swell simulation: FMC Technologies uses two SIROCCO XL hexapods to test a ¼ scale LNG loading arm. These hexapods simulate the swell motion to qualify the loading arm that will connect a gas carrier to an offshore gas production factory. One hexapod simulates the gas carrier, the other the offshore factory.

Choosing the right hexapod for you

Symetrie offers a free software, HexaSym, designed to simplify the process of checking the travel ranges and load capacities of each hexapod in their lineup. HexaSym enables you to select the most suitable product for your application and test various configurations. See the “software” tab for more information on HexaSym. Click HERE to download HexaSym

For more information on applications for motion & positioning hexapods, visit our application page. 

Application examples for the SIROCCO high payload motion hexapod:

Defense:

• Vehicle simulator (tank)

Naval:

• Swell simulation
• Submarine simulator

Research & Engineering:

• Structural R&D

SIROCCO Motion Hexapod Datasheet

Simple Software for a Complex Machine

The SYM_Motion movement software allows you to control the movements of a dynamic hexapod on the basis of complex algorithms. It transforms the movements desired in the 6 degrees of freedom into useful information for each of the motors.

The software is simple and ergonomic so that operators can easily use the system.

SYM_MOTION Allows:

■ Position display in real time
■ Position the hexapod
■ The generation of sinusoidal and harmonic trajectories
■ To reproduce trajectories from recordings
■ The configuration of the center of rotation
■ Validate the trajectories in complete safety for the hexapod and its loading

Options

■ Acquisition: the possibility of retrieving the position of the hexapod from information from the absolute encoders of the motors, in real time or in post-processing
■ ERTT: External Real Time Trajectory, to control the hexapod in real time, for example via a joystick (ERTT requires the API option)
■ API: the possibility of going through a software interface other than SYM_Motion to control the hexapod