Dynamic Sand Table

"Xenotran proposes to conduct a program of research and development that will resultin a physical terrain model with a surface that can be reconfigured based on digitalterrain information. Currently, the U. S. Army produces 3-D solid terrain modelsusing stereo lithography or CNC mills. Current modeling methods take many hoursto complete and result a solid product which must be stored. The Army wishes tohave equipment that can be rapidly configured as one terrain model after another.Xenotran proposes to develop, during Phase I, a rapidly adjustable sand tablesystem that can configure a terrain model in under 3 minutes, is low-cost, andsolves the storage problem. During Phase II, the resolution will be increasedand the reconfiguration time will be reduced to under one minute. For displayingthe digital terrain information, an overhead projector will be used to projectimages onto a terrain model surface. In addition to the sand table, Xenotranalso proposes a projection system that will include imaging correction software. The purpose of the sand table, as opposed to a map, is to readily demonstrate thetopology or elevation of a given geographic region. It is important that this beaccomplished in a fast manner so that when emergency issues arise, such as emergencybriefings or disaster relief, information can be relayed quickly and accurately.Having the ability to quickly produce accurate topography models will also bebeneficial to a