Logo Somag AG

NSM 500 Launch

-- archive.php --

Category: Press Release

SOMAG AG Jena launches

Nautical / Nimble Gyro Stabilization Mount NSM 500

SOMAG announces the launch of the new NSM 500, a medium-sized Gyro Mount between the smaller RSM 50 and the larger OSM 5000. With the launch of the NSM 500, SOMAG has now advanced all three devices of the marine and land product line to series 5.

Reliable Gyro Stabilization for Surveillance Sensors

The NSM 500 was primarily designed for the stabilization of surveillance sensors on medium to large maritime vessels and on mobile ground vehicles. Non-stabilized systems follow the movement of the water caused by the swell or the movement of the vehicle driving over uneven terrain, which adversely affects the detection and threat-tracking capabilities of the sensor. Using a Gyro Stabilization Mount ensures a stabilized field of view and high-resolution images by compensating the movements of the vessel or vehicle. This allows EO/IR systems to scan their environment without interference even in extreme sea and land conditions, in order to best detect, track and classify asymmetric air and surface threats. The NSM 500 is the perfect gimbal for IRST (infra-red search and track) and other surveillance systems to ensure 360° protection for surface vessels of naval forces or mobile land vehicles of land forces.

Reliable stabilization performance proven in long-term test

In 2022 an unprecedented long-term test was conducted with the NSM over a total period of 7 months (March to September). For this purpose, the NSM was installed on a frigate that was on a mission in the Mediterranean Sea. The Gyro Mount was placed in an elevated position on a mast high above the ship’s pivot, which represents a typical but also challenging case of application for the gyro gimbal, since this pivot offset causes the angular movements to result in tangential accelerations, to which additional sway, heave and surge accelerations add up. The task of the gimbal was to stabilize a panoramic, long-range, wide area surveillance sensor system.

Sebastian Schreiber, CTO at SOMAG comments: “The NSM is a real workhorse. The data we got from the test shows that the gyro gimbal delivers the best stabilization performance even over a long period of time and under different weather and water conditions, providing exceptionally sharp data and comprehensive situational awareness.”

The white line in the data sample shows the excitation of the ship, which moved in the roll axis up to almost +15°. The sensor on the other hand (yellow line) remained stable during this time and showed a residual deviation from perpendicular of just 0.11°. The use of the Nautical Gyro Stabilization Mount reduced the existing movements of the sensor system by about 45 times in this mission data example.

Data example

Long-term test NSM

 

Quality and improvement

In addition to this long-term test, further quality tests have been performed and successfully passed with the NSM in recent months, including a temperature test, an IP class test and a vibration test. The evolved NSM 500 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 the network.

NSM 500 now available

The new NSM 500 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, 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

The more information we get about the planned application, the better we can support you.

Find out more

NSM 500 – Marine

NSM 500 – Marine

NSM 500 – Land

NSM 500 – Land

Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter
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.

NSM 400 and payload equipped with sensors on vibration test system
Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter
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/

Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter

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.

NSM 400 inside dust chamber
NSM 400 inside dipping basin

 

Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter
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

Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter
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

Newsletter

Subscribe today!

Keep yourself informed about SOMAG and the latest Gyro Mount technology.
We will send you regular information about:

  • exhibitions and event invitations
  • new products, services and videos
  • latest application examples, projects and partnerships

Subscribe here

Subscribe to the SOMAG newsletter