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SANLAB Motion Platforms

SANLAB SM200 six-axis Stewart motion platform in an automotive simulation laboratory

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SANLAB Motion Platforms

SANLAB SM200 six-axis Stewart motion platform in an automotive simulation laboratory

Engineering summary

Specifications, motion envelope and software integration of the SANLAB SM200 electric Stewart platform for driving simulators, HIL testing and motion cueing, with QuakeLogic North American support.

In short: The SANLAB SM200-200-C01-E6D is an electric six-degree-of-freedom Stewart platform for vehicle simulation, HIL testing and motion cueing. It moves ±0.20 m surge, ±0.22 m sway and ±0.12 m heave, rotates up to ±28° roll, ±30° pitch and ±32° yaw, accelerates to ±5 m/s² laterally and ±6 m/s² in heave, carries 200 kg and weighs about 60 kg. QuakeLogic is the North American integration and support partner.

High-Performance 6DOF Motion Platform for Advanced Vehicle Simulation

Modern vehicle simulation demands far more than simple vibration or tilt systems. Automotive developers, autonomous vehicle teams, defense contractors, robotics companies, and simulator integrators require highly responsive, low-latency, true 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) motion platforms capable of reproducing realistic road conditions, acceleration profiles, cornering forces, suspension dynamics, and driver feedback.

The SANLAB SM200-200-C01-E6D motion platform delivers a professional-grade, industrial-quality solution engineered specifically for high-fidelity simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, motion cueing, stabilization systems, and advanced driving simulator applications.

As the North American integration and support partner, QuakeLogic Inc. provides complete system delivery, technical integration, operator training, and long-term support services for SANLAB motion platforms.

Why SANLAB Motion Platforms Stand Out

Unlike hobby-grade or entertainment-oriented motion systems, the SANLAB platform is engineered as an industrial real-time motion simulation system featuring:

  • True 6DOF Stewart platform architecture
  • Industrial servo motor actuation
  • High-bandwidth real-time control
  • Deterministic motion response
  • Real-time UDP communication
  • Advanced motion cueing algorithms
  • Integrated IMU feedback system
  • Modular and customizable mechanical design
  • Professional safety architecture
  • Vehicle dynamics playback and replication
  • Real-world road profile injection capability

Target Applications

This robust architecture makes the platform exceptionally well suited for:

  • Automotive & Mobility: Vehicle simulators, autonomous vehicle simulation, ADAS testing, driver training simulators, human factors studies, and motion sickness research.
  • Defense & Aerospace: Defense and tactical simulators, electro-optical stabilization testing, radar/antenna testing, and turret stabilization.
  • R&D and Testing: Robotics and sensor validation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, digital twin environments, and AI-driven mobility simulations.

True 6DOF Motion Capability

Engineering education and laboratory system for "SANLAB Motion Platforms"

The SANLAB system provides full motion in all six axes, ensuring highly realistic reproduction of road irregularities, suspension dynamics, vehicle acceleration, braking, cornering forces, terrain interaction, and vibration environments.

Translational AxesRotational Axes
Surge (Forward/Backward)Roll
Sway (Left/Right)Pitch
Heave (Up/Down)Yaw

High Dynamic Performance

The platform is engineered for responsive and realistic simulation performance with the following specifications:

Performance Metrics

  • Velocity Performance:
    • Surge: ±0.50 m/s
    • Sway: ±0.50 m/s
    • Heave: ±0.40 m/s
    • Roll/Pitch/Yaw: ±50°/s
  • Acceleration Capability:
    • Surge/Sway: ±5 m/s²
    • Heave: ±6 m/s²
    • Rotational acceleration up to ±500°/s²
  • Motion Excursions:
    • Surge: up to ±0.20 m
    • Sway: up to ±0.22 m
    • Heave: up to ±0.12 m
    • Roll: up to ±28°
    • Pitch: up to ±30°
    • Yaw: up to ±32°

These specifications enable highly immersive and physically accurate vehicle simulation environments.

Advanced Real-Time Motion Cueing

A studio product shot of a compact SANLAB 6DOF motion platform, standing alone on a c for "SANLAB

One of the major differentiators of the SANLAB platform is its advanced motion cueing and washout algorithm framework. The system allows real-time cueing parameter adjustment, washout filter tuning, motion scaling, signal conditioning, multi-axis synchronization, and dynamic response optimization.

Operators can fine-tune the simulation environment for a wide range of platforms:

  • Passenger and off-road vehicles
  • Heavy equipment
  • Tactical military systems
  • Autonomous vehicle behavior testing
  • Racing simulation & motion comfort analysis

Real-Time UDP Communication

The platform supports UDP communication, Ethernet, CAN Bus, and Serial communication, enabling seamless integration with industry-standard software:

  • Unreal Engine & Unity
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • CarSim & IPG CarMaker
  • SCANeR Studio
  • Custom HIL environments & PLC systems

Note: The IPC-based real-time controller architecture ensures deterministic low-latency motion control suitable for professional simulation systems.

Real Road Profile Playback

The SANLAB platform includes advanced signal replication capabilities. Users can easily import real-world road profile data, replay recorded motion signals, inject prerecorded test sequences, and execute automated playback routines.

This environment replication capability is ideal for suspension testing, ride comfort studies, autonomous navigation validation, sensor fusion testing, and perception system evaluation.

Compact, Lightweight, and Mobile

Unlike many large, high-maintenance hydraulic systems, the SANLAB electric servo platform is compact, highly reliable, and easily deployable.

  • System Dimensions: 1.08 m × 0.96 m × 0.58 m
  • Net Weight: Approximately 60 kg

This footprint makes the system highly attractive for mobile demonstrations, trade shows, research laboratories, university programs, and rapid deployment applications.

Industrial Servo Motor Architecture

The platform utilizes high-performance servo motors, precision ball screw actuation, digital closed-loop control, and an integrated IMU measurement feedback system.

Advantages Over Traditional Hydraulic Systems

  • Lower maintenance & cleaner operation
  • Reduced facility infrastructure requirements
  • Lower operational noise
  • Improved controllability & higher reliability

Professional Safety Architecture

Safety is critical in professional motion simulation systems. The SANLAB platform includes:

  • Mechanical protection systems & software safety interlocks
  • Passive and active motion limitations
  • Deterministic fault detection & built-in diagnostics
  • Emergency stop functionality & real-time system health monitoring
  • Optional: Light curtain safety systems and outdoor operation packages

Flexible Payload and Customization Options

The standard platform supports up to 200 kg gross moving load and a 200 mm actuator stroke.

Thanks to its modular architecture, the system allows custom tailoring of payload capacity, platform dimensions, motion ranges, degrees of freedom, interface systems, mounting structures, and control integration to adapt to highly specialized testing applications.

Software Environment

The SANLAB software suite includes an intuitive graphical user interface that simplifies system setup, motion tuning, test execution, calibration, and troubleshooting. It delivers full capabilities for:

  • Signal generation and processing
  • Motion visualization & data recording
  • Real-time playback & field data replication
  • Real-time monitoring & system diagnostics

QuakeLogic Integration & Support

As the North American integration and support partner, QuakeLogic provides complete system consultation, vehicle simulator integration, motion profile development, remote commissioning, operator training, and long-term maintenance.

  • Included Services: Complimentary remote Zoom training is included with every system.
  • Optional Services: On-site training/installation, simulator software integration, custom motion cueing development, and advanced HIL/PLC configuration.

Contact QuakeLogic

For technical specifications, integration support, demonstrations, or customized configurations, contact:

QuakeLogic Inc.

• Earthquake Early Warning • Structural Monitoring • Advanced Simulation Systems • Motion Platforms

Visit us at products.QuakeLogic.net


Key Takeaways

  • Motion envelope: ±0.20 m surge, ±0.22 m sway, ±0.12 m heave, ±28° roll, ±30° pitch, ±32° yaw.
  • Dynamics: ±0.50 m/s surge and sway, ±0.40 m/s heave, ±50°/s rotation, ±5 m/s² lateral, ±6 m/s² heave, ±500°/s² rotational.
  • Standard payload is 200 kg with a 200 mm actuator stroke; the platform measures 1.08 × 0.96 × 0.58 m and weighs about 60 kg.
  • Interfaces include UDP, Ethernet, CAN Bus and Serial for Unreal, Unity, MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, IPG CarMaker and SCANeR Studio.
  • Electric servo actuation with ball screws and IMU feedback needs less maintenance and infrastructure than hydraulic platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 6DOF motion platform?

A 6DOF motion platform, also called a Stewart platform, moves a payload in all six degrees of freedom: three translations (surge, sway, heave) and three rotations (roll, pitch, yaw). Six actuators between a base and a moving plate combine to reproduce road irregularities, acceleration, braking, cornering and vibration, which is why these platforms are used in driving simulators and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

What are the specifications of the SANLAB SM200 motion platform?

The SANLAB SM200-200-C01-E6D offers ±0.20 m surge, ±0.22 m sway, ±0.12 m heave, ±28° roll, ±30° pitch and ±32° yaw, with velocities of ±0.50 m/s (surge, sway), ±0.40 m/s (heave) and ±50°/s, and accelerations of ±5 m/s² lateral, ±6 m/s² heave and ±500°/s² rotational. It carries 200 kg, has a 200 mm actuator stroke and weighs about 60 kg.

Which simulation software can connect to the SANLAB platform?

The platform communicates over UDP, Ethernet, CAN Bus and Serial, so it integrates with Unreal Engine, Unity, MATLAB/Simulink, CarSim, IPG CarMaker, SCANeR Studio and custom HIL or PLC environments. An IPC-based real-time controller keeps motion deterministic and low-latency, and the SANLAB software suite handles motion cueing, washout filter tuning, signal generation, playback and diagnostics.

What is the difference between electric and hydraulic motion platforms?

Electric servo platforms such as the SANLAB use servo motors, precision ball screws and digital closed-loop control instead of hydraulic actuators. They need less maintenance, no hydraulic power unit, run cleaner and quieter, and are easier to control, so a 200 kg class system weighs about 60 kg and can be moved for trade shows or lab use. Hydraulic systems remain common for very large payloads.

Can the SANLAB platform replay real road profile data?

Yes. The platform imports real-world road profile data, replays recorded motion signals, injects prerecorded test sequences and runs automated playback routines. This makes it useful for suspension testing, ride comfort studies, autonomous navigation validation, sensor fusion testing and perception system evaluation, where the same measured excitation must be reproduced consistently across many trials.

Need help with a project? QuakeLogic designs and supplies seismic monitoring, earthquake early warning, structural health monitoring, infrasound, and shake table systems. Browse QuakeLogic products or contact our engineering team with your site, structure, or test requirements.


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Reviewed by

Emily Vargun

Published by QuakeLogic engineers and seismic monitoring specialists. QuakeLogic designs earthquake early warning, structural health monitoring, infrasound, vibration monitoring, and shake table testing systems for infrastructure, research, public safety, and industrial engineering teams.

Topic cluster

Related engineering knowledge areas

Definitions and references

Terms, standards, and source cues

  • seismic hazard: related to Earthquake Engineering in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • ground motion: related to Earthquake Engineering in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • SHM: related to Structural Health Monitoring in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • damage detection: related to Structural Health Monitoring in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • earthquake early warning: related to Earthquake Early Warning in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • seismic switch: related to Earthquake Early Warning in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • infrasound sensors: related to Infrasound Monitoring in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.
  • low-frequency noise: related to Infrasound Monitoring in this QuakeLogic knowledge cluster.

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