Explanation and Future Plans for the MOOG motion platform:
The MOOG motion platform has originally configured to run on the SGI Power Onyx CAVE computer system. The SGI Power Onyx is nearly ten years old and we do not anticipate that maintenance support will be an option in the near future. Therefore we created an affordable (small) Linux cluster using DELL desktop computers with PNY Technology Inc FX3000 Quad-buffered Genlock graphics cards which we call the DADS (DIVERSE Adaptable Display System) computer system. DADS documentation is available on the DIVERSE Sourcdforge Web site, http://diverse.sourceforge.net, and the documentation of using the MOOG motion platform on the DADS system in forthcoming (actually it's half done) with a deadline of September 2004. PNY Technology Inc feature the DADS system on their case study Web site: http://www.pny.com/http://www.pny.com/pressroom/caseStudies/vc.asp

The MOOG is a unique and signifant VE resource at Virginia Tech. Our group under ICTAS is committed to get the MOOG motion platform fully functional and documented. This will not only provide continued support for the Navy Craneship project but will foster the use of the MOOG for other engineering and applied science research projects.