SIROCCO | High Payload Motion Hexapod

SIROCCO high velocity 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.