Vibration Test

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Environmental testing

NSM 400 to successfully pass vibration test

SOMAG AG Jena has successfully completed vibration tests on its Nautical Gyro Stabilization Mount NSM 400 at the independent and accredited test laboratory MeßTechnikNord GmbH in Jena, Germany. The vibration test is part of a series of comprehensive environmental tests that the company performs at regular intervals, in addition to EMC, performance and other tests to ensure consistently high-quality standards for its devices.

Tests were carried out on the NSM 400 with its maximum payload of 100 kg (220.5 lbs) with a center of gravity of 250 mm above the mounts pivot point. The test aims to verify the mechanical strength of the Mount and to observe its dynamic behavior. Testing was carried out in accordance with IACS E10 No. 7 Vibration and DIN EN 60068-2-06.2008-10.

First, a sinusoidal sweep test was performed with a frequency range from 2 to 300 Hz. From 2 to 13 Hz the excitation amplitude equaled 1 mm, afterwards it depended on the acceleration of the shaker with 0,7g. The resonance test was run in all three space axes (x, y and z) and aimed to find the resonance frequencies of the Mount.

A total of 5 accelerometers (4 x single axis accelerometers and 1 x single accelerometer for control) were placed at the base plate, the top part and at the supporting structure of the stabilization platform to measure the resulting vibrations. In addition, a three-axis acceleration sensor was attached to the payload in order to measure the resulting vibrations there as well and thus incorporate the real use of the Gyro Mount with payload in the test.

“To meet the standard, it would have been sufficient to test the unit in non-operational mode. However, we wanted to go one step further and also test the mechanical-dynamic behavior of the mount in MAN and STAB mode. In all three scenarios the NSM performed just as desired,” explains Sebastian Schreiber, CTO at SOMAG.

After the resonance search the visual check was passed. There was no external damage and no visual deficiency after the test. The self-test via the SOMAG Mount Control App could also be performed successfully which was the success criteria for the test.

Since resonances with an amplification factor ≥ 2 were found in the sinusoidal sweep test, additional endurance tests (1.5 h each) were performed at each of these frequencies. The visual inspections after the endurance test did not reveal any damage or optical defects. The self-test via the Mount Control App could be performed successfully in all cases and the vibration tests were completed successfully overall.

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Thuringian world market & technology leaders

SOMAG AG Jena awarded as Hidden Champion

SOMAG AG Jena was awarded as Hidden Champion – Thuringian world market & technology leader. The project is a joint initiative of the Thuringian Ministry of Economics and the Thuringian State Development Corporation. In comprehensive research, almost 90 high-performing companies were identified across all sectors, which are convincing with their products and services in Germany, Europe or worldwide.

Sebastian Schreiber, CTO at SOMAG comments: “We feel very proud and honored to have been recognized as one of 89 Thuringian world market and innovation leaders!”

The award was presented on March 03, 2023 by the Thuringian Minister of Economics, Science and Digital Society, Wolfgang Tiefensee, and the Managing Director of LEG Thüringen, Andreas Krey, during the first Thuringian ChampionsMeet, a kick-off event introducing the campaign.

The keynote speaker at the launch event was Professor Hermann Simon, who coined the term “Hidden Champion”. Hermann Simon is an entrepreneur, management consultant, professor emeritus of economics, author and speaker. In his presentation, he addressed the question of what characteristics distinguish Hidden Champions. According to his definition, these are medium-sized companies that are number one, two, or three in the global market, or number one on the company’s continent, determined by market share. They have an annual revenue of less than €5 billion and a low level of public awareness. This is because the vast majority of these companies do not deal in consumer goods but focus on industrial goods. Hidden champions also focus on their market niche, which they serve worldwide, and each of them achieves superior know-how and a high level of production depth in their rather narrow field. Furthermore, the area of research and development plays a major role, as companies can only achieve and maintain a top position through constant innovation. Hidden champions spend twice as much on research and development and register five times as many patents as the industry average. The focus on customer proximity is another characteristic of these companies. The innovations must provide the customer with a benefit, a real added value. 38 percent of the employees of these companies have regular contact with customers, compared with only 8 percent of well-known large German companies.

Find out more about the campaign and the winning companies here: https://www.hidden-champions-thuringia.de/en/

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SOMAG AG Jena has successfully tested the IP rating of its Gyro Stabilization Mounts for marine and land applications at the independent and accredited laboratory for environmental and materials testing at the Technologie-Zentrum für Oberflächentechnik und Umweltschutz Leipzig GmbH. The test of the protection class is part of a series of comprehensive environmental tests that the company performs at regular intervals, in addition to EMC and performance tests to ensure consistently high-quality standards for its devices.

Sebastian Schreiber, CTO at SOMAG, comments: “The mission of our marine and land gimbals is to flawlessly stabilize sensor systems in both marine environments with high humidity and salinity as well as in dusty, unpaved terrain. Therefore, they have been designed in such a way that neither dust nor water can enter into the units according to IP class 67.”

This classification has been successfully confirmed by recent tests according to DIN EN 60529: 2104 -09. The tests were carried out with an NSM 400, which was first placed in a dust chamber to test the protection against the ingress of solid foreign bodies (dust-tight). The NSM 400 was sprayed with talcum powder in the chamber from all directions. The talcum powder is very fine (<75 μm) and has rather lubricating properties. Due to the homogeneous structure of the dust, it infiltrates into the smallest joints, especially if negative pressure is applied, which was the case with the NSM 400. The gimbal was removed from the chamber and its functionality verified. Furthermore, the cover was removed and the device was opened. In accordance with the requirements for passing the test, there was no dust visible inside the unit.  

The second step was the test to determine the protection against temporary submersion. For this purpose, the NSM 400 was lowered into a dipping basin. The water level above the enclosure is defined with 1 meter. The gyro stabilizer remained submerged for 30 minutes. After this period, the Mount was lifted out of the basin, opened, and subjected to a visual inspection. No water was detected in the sealed area and the correct functioning of the device was confirmed.

 

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SOMAG AG Jena launches

Offshore/Offroad Gyro Stabilization Mount OSM 5000

SOMAG AG Jena announces the launch of the new OSM 5000, the most powerful gyro-based stabilization platform ever developed by SOMAG. With the launch of the OSM 5000 and the launch of the RSM 50, SOMAG introduces two gimbals of the new series 5 for industry-leading stabilization in offshore and offroad settings.

High-class gyro stabilization for offroad and offshore environments

The gyro stabilizer is equipped with high-precision built-in sensors to detect in real-time movements of land vehicles caused by rough terrain, as well as angular movements of boats, ships, Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), autonomous platforms and buoys caused by sea swell. The Gyro Stabilization Mount automatically compensates the movements to keep the sensor payload in a leveled position even when the ground is moving to provide razor-sharp imagery and comprehensive situational awareness. The IP class 67 weatherproof design allows the gimbal to do its job perfectly in humid, salty as well as dry, dusty environments.

Two stabilization range configurations available

“We offer the OSM 5000 in two different configurations, depending on the customer’s application, in order to do justice to the variety of possible use cases of our device and the resulting requirements,” says Sebastian Schreiber CTO, SOMAG AG Jena.

With its symmetrical stabilization range, the Gyro Stabilization Mount compensates movements in roll and pitch up to ≤± 14.1°. This configuration is particularly interesting for customers who want to install their sensor on a land vehicle or floating support, since the general motion stimulation is rather symmetrical. However, if the OSM is to be installed on ships, the asymmetric configuration with ≤± 12.2° pitch and ≤±17.4° roll axis stabilization is recommended. As shown by studies on ship motions, motions in the roll axis pose greater challenges than in the pitch axis. Because ships are longer than they are wide, motions in the pitch axis are quite limited. In contrast, movements in the roll axis in sea state 6 can reach between 13° to 19°, depending on the width of the vessel1.

1 Data is based on US Navy ship motion studies

Most powerful gimbal ever developed by SOMAG

The hydraulic gimbal system was designed to ensure precise leveling of heavy sensor payloads up to 300 kg (660 lbs) at only 55 kg own weight. Schreiber says: “When you consider the dimensions, it is quite amazing what we have created. With the OSM, we offer our customers a unit that can theoretically balance 4 grown men with an accuracy of ≤0.3°. The Gyro Mount is extremely powerful, but not monstrous. We clearly stand out from other devices on the market in terms of form factor, which has been kept as small as possible in relation to the performance of the Mount, being able to generate a peak dynamic torque of 550 Nm.”

The OSM 5000 features advanced control algorithms, enhanced diagnosis possibilities and an Ethernet communication interface that allows integration into existing networks as well as control and monitoring of multiple Gyro Mounts within a network.

Contact us for further information

The new OSM 5000 is commercially available as of now. For further questions and prices please contact SOMAG sales team.

In order to give you the best possible assistance, please include the following information in your request:

  • Where should the Mount be installed (floating platform, buoy, ship etc.)?
  • Dimensions (length/width/weight) of the platform or vessel
  • How many meters above the waterline should the Mount and the payload be installed?
  • Center of gravity and weight of the payload
  •  Further information you consider important

Find out more

OSM 5000 – Marine

OSM 5000 – Marine

OSM 5000 – Land

OSM 5000 – Land

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We will send you regular information about:

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SOMAG AG Jena launches

Offshore/Offroad Gyro Stabilization Mount OSM 5000

SOMAG AG Jena announces the launch of the new OSM 5000, the most powerful gyro-based stabilization platform ever developed by SOMAG. With the launch of the OSM 5000 and the launch of the RSM 50, SOMAG introduces two gimbals of the new series 5 for industry-leading stabilization in offshore and offroad settings.

High-class gyro stabilization for offroad and offshore environments

The gyro stabilizer is equipped with high-precision built-in sensors to detect in real-time movements of land vehicles caused by rough terrain, as well as angular movements of boats, ships, Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), autonomous platforms and buoys caused by sea swell. The Gyro Stabilization Mount automatically compensates the movements to keep the sensor payload in a leveled position even when the ground is moving to provide razor-sharp imagery and comprehensive situational awareness. The IP class 67 weatherproof design allows the gimbal to do its job perfectly in humid, salty as well as dry, dusty environments.

Two stabilization range configurations available

“We offer the OSM 5000 in two different configurations, depending on the customer’s application, in order to do justice to the variety of possible use cases of our device and the resulting requirements,” says Sebastian Schreiber CTO, SOMAG AG Jena.

With its symmetrical stabilization range, the Gyro Stabilization Mount compensates movements in roll and pitch up to ≤± 14.1°. This configuration is particularly interesting for customers who want to install their sensor on a land vehicle or floating support, since the general motion stimulation is rather symmetrical. However, if the OSM is to be installed on ships, the asymmetric configuration with ≤± 12.2° pitch and ≤±17.4° roll axis stabilization is recommended. As shown by studies on ship motions, motions in the roll axis pose greater challenges than in the pitch axis. Because ships are longer than they are wide, motions in the pitch axis are quite limited. In contrast, movements in the roll axis in sea state 6 can reach between 13° to 19°, depending on the width of the vessel1.

1 Data is based on US Navy ship motion studies

Most powerful gimbal ever developed by SOMAG

The hydraulic gimbal system was designed to ensure precise leveling of heavy sensor payloads up to 300 kg (660 lbs) at only 55 kg own weight. Schreiber says: “When you consider the dimensions, it is quite amazing what we have created. With the OSM, we offer our customers a unit that can theoretically balance 4 grown men with an accuracy of ≤0.3°. The Gyro Mount is extremely powerful, but not monstrous. We clearly stand out from other devices on the market in terms of form factor, which has been kept as small as possible in relation to the performance of the Mount, being able to generate a peak dynamic torque of 550 Nm.”

The OSM 5000 features advanced control algorithms, enhanced diagnosis possibilities and an Ethernet communication interface that allows integration into existing networks as well as control and monitoring of multiple Gyro Mounts within a network.

Contact us for further information

The new OSM 5000 is commercially available as of now. For further questions and prices please contact SOMAG sales team.

In order to give you the best possible assistance, please include the following information in your request:

  • Where should the Mount be installed (floating platform, buoy, ship etc.)?
  • Dimensions (length/width/weight) of the platform or vessel
  • How many meters above the waterline should the Mount and the payload be installed?
  • Center of gravity and weight of the payload
  •  Further information you consider important

Find out more

RSM 50 – Marine

RSM 50 – Marine

RSM 50 – Land

RSM 50 – Land

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Next month (October 2022), the new SOMAG Mount Control App version 5.1.0 launches. The SOMAG Mount Control App was developed by SOMAG AG Jena and is a software tool for Microsoft Windows users that simplifies the operation and configuration of SOMAG Gyro Stabilization Mounts. The app is available free of charge on a USB stick that is part of the standard scope of delivery of every Mount. If you do not have the USB stick available, please contact our support team for a download link.

What’s new in version 5.1.0

1. The look

The new look of the app is the most striking change in the new version. The appearance has been adapted to the new corporate design introduced in February this year.

For those who have difficulties with readability using the dark design, we have added the option to switch modes. This way, the app can also be displayed in a light variant. The selected mode is automatically saved and is also preselected the next time the app is opened. The mode switch can be found in the menu on the right side, accessible via the triple bar icon.


2. Profiles for End Stop Limits

Without the End Stop Limits feature, the Mount stabilizes during operation in all axes within its maximum angular range. By activating the Software Feature “End Stop Limits” the physical movement range of the Mount can be limited in all axes the Mount provides stabilization for. If the End Stop Limits have been applied, the Mount will only move within the specified angle ranges.

The new app version now allows users to save their End Stop Limits settings as a profile with self-selected names. A maximum of 10 profiles can be created. This makes it easy to switch back and forth between the preferred settings and profiles without having to re-enter the values into the app each time. This can be useful for users who either use different sensors in the same Mount and want to apply different movement ranges for the respective sensor, or for users who operate the Mount in different vehicles.

How to create a new End Stop Limits Profile

  • Make your End Stop Limits settings: in the example on the left the roll axis was limited to -7° and +7° and the pitch axis was blocked at +3°, a setting in the Yaw axis was not made
  • Press + 
  • A window opens in which the new profile name can be assigned
  • Press “OK” to confirm
  • In the drop-down menu, all created profiles are displayed, including the newly created “TestProfil”
  • To use a profile, select it from the drop-down list and press “Apply”
  • After pressing Apply, a notification window opens in which the entered values to be sent to the Mount are summarized and must be confirmed with “OK”.
  • To reset all settings, the “Default” button must be pressed

3. Mount Control Diagram

At the former position of the Interface Protocol Change in the Home View the Mount Control Diagram has been created. The diagram offers the possibility to enter Gyro Mount angles manually and interactively. The blue shape in the diagram (shape depends on the connected Mount) represents the maximum movement range of the respective Mount. If the movement range has been restricted by End Stop Limits, this is reflected by a change in the shape.

In addition, the diagram visualizes the angular range in which the Mount is located. The settings from the Mount Control Diagram are automatically displayed in the Manual Mount Control panel. The desired angle values can also be entered there. Manual control of the Mount is thus possible in both panels (MCD and MMC).


4. Reorganization Settings

The Settings tab has been divided into 3 views. The first one contains the General Settings, where you can now also find the Interface Protocol Change. The Feature 1 view covers all settings related to the Collision Avoidance Feature, such as the setting of the End Stop Limits. The Feature 2 view comprises all other settings that are related to the optional Software Features.

All views of the app, including the Feature 1 and Feature 2 screen, can be found here.


5. General rearrangements

In the main menu, the Emergency Stop has now been placed centrally next to the five main tabs, so that it can be found and activated quickly in an emergency. The e-stop is available for all marine and land Mounts. When the Emergency Stop is active, the button flashes alternately white and red. E-Stop turns off the motors and locks the hydraulic circuits preventing further movement of the Mount.

Other functions formerly located in the main menu can now be accessed in the drop-down menu on the right, such as:

  • Connection Overview
  • Mount Select
  • Open Folder
  • Mode Switch (dark/light)
  • Document Viewer (Manuals)
  • General Information

The triple bar icon color acts as a connection indicator between the Mount and the computer. Green means Connection, yellow means Warning and red means Error. If there is no connection, the icon remains white.

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