A control loader that feels slightly off in aileron, elevator, rudder or trim can undermine an otherwise capable flight simulator. For operators pursuing qualification, and for OEMs building devices that must stand up to technical review, FAA compliant control loader systems are not a cosmetic feature. They are part of the training value, the engineering…
The Real Cost Difference Shows Up Over Time When teams compare motion platform designs, the conversation often starts—and ends—with upfront cost. Hydraulic systems can appear less expensive at first glance, especially when comparing actuators alone. But for 6DOF and 7DOF motion platforms, this narrow view hides the costs that matter most over the life of…
A Technical Overview of Servos & Simulation’s 6DOF Motion Platform Introduction Six degrees of freedom (6DOF) motion platforms are the foundation of high-fidelity simulation when accurate motion cueing, repeatability, and long-term stability are required. At Servos & Simulation, Inc., our 6DOF motion platforms are engineered for professional environments where performance must remain stable and consistent across the years—and often decades—of continuous…
Application Context for the 400-x Control Loading FAA Level D Full‑Flight Simulators (FFS) represent the highest certification standard for government and civil aviation training devices. At this level, force‑feedback accuracy is scrutinized alongside visual, motion, and aircraft system fidelity. Control loading systems must reproduce aircraft‑specific feel across the full operational envelope—without approximation, drift, or degradation.…
Application Overview One of the most demanding real‑world applications of a high‑fidelity motion platform is closed‑loop avionics and navigation system testing. For NASA’s Artemis Space Launch System (SLS) program, precise motion replication was required to validate avionics behavior under dynamic conditions without introducing artificial disturbances or latency into the test loop. Servos & Simulation’s 6DOF…
Servos & Simulation, Inc. offers advanced six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) motion platforms designed for high-fidelity simulations in training and research. Key features include fully electric actuation, high payload capacity, and robust digital control systems. These platforms ensure long-term reliability, minimal maintenance, and seamless integration with various simulation environments, emphasizing precision and performance.
A non-linear motion base math model refers to the mathematical representation of a motion platform which is typically a Stewart platform or similar 6DOF system—where the relationship between actuator lengths and platform position/orientation is non-linear. This means that small changes in actuator length do not result in proportional changes in platform position or rotation, and the system’s behavior cannot be…
This blog was written by Mr. Tom Bryan ES31\ GNC Hardware Team Lead – RF, Electromagnetic Effects, GNC Hardware Branch, Senior Engineer, Flat Floor Robotics Lab & 6DOF Dynamics Sim Lab for NASA. He worked on the Navigation system for the Artemis SLS system and did the testing for it with our motion base. His…
The Motion Base Requirement (As seen through the eyes of a Feedback Control System Engineer) Written by E. Bruce Baker Over the last several years, there has been much discussion about the need for motion bases for aircraft simulators. Several times, an attempt has been made to prove or disprove the need for a motion…
Last time, we figured out that the phidgets controlled everything and that there were all of these phidget files… sigh… (If you haven’t been reading this series on the CRJ, please read 1 thru 3 please.) Return of the Phidgets Rick (my lovely programming engineer) wrote a small but significant program that allowed us to…
