AMC1280USB Motion Simulator Controller

Good for you! I think you could drive up to 64 sabertooth controllers if you multiplex the arduino serial pins... and there is analog input multiplexer too if you like to use as well.

You must mean specifically, "From the Sabertooth 2x32 manual:" since what you stated is relevant only to that model and doesn't work with any other motor driver currently sold by Dimension Engineering including the Sabertooth 2x60.

While the original SMC3 sketch can control 3 motors total, SMC3-SPS was optimized for use with only one Sabertooth since adding a second would leave one of it's motor drivers unused. Of course someone could add a forth or more motors to the sketch, optimize it, and then use more than one Sabertooth per Arduino. But since an Uno can still be bought for $10 or less including shipping costs, three of them at $30 is still less than your board even with your kickstarter specials. Does your board have as much processing power as three Uno working together? Anyway, in my opinion you do offer a nice all-in-one solution for those that want that and are willing to pay more for it.

PS. Down on the first page of this thread is shown driving a Sabertooth 2x60 at 12-bit analog. While you can drive one at 12-bit analog this may mislead some because the 2x60 utilizes an 8-bit analog to digital converter, not 12. In other words, there is no resolution gained using analog vs. packet serial with a 2x60.

I'm sorry, the AMC1280USB offers more than simple arduino boards. It has other connectivity and parts on it that cannot be sold less than $100 retail, but here I am and offering it with half of that and you are still looking it at the teeth (like a donkey). Well, good then, I don't like to undersell it.

Anyway, I'm not here to try to prove you wrong or how much better the AMC1280USB is. All I wanted you all to know is that it was on kickstarter (which is ending in 6 days now). I did my offer for affordable AMC1280USB controllers for the xsimulator community there, but it seems that Alibaba and Aliexpress "faux" arduino boards are prevailing (10 arduinos for a dime !! ). They don't need to spend their time to develop anything for them, just solder the overflow chips they are using on the PCB.

Either support the AMC1280USB on the kickstarter or if you like the arduinos better, use the arduinos and don't support it.

All I know is there is no problem between AMC1280USB and Sabertooth drivers. In fact they work very well! See a well documented case here:
http://6dof.my.primusnetz.de/

And very detailed connections (using the 6DOF ext analog as he had an old version):
http://6dof.my.primusnetz.de/thanos/


Thanks,
Thanos

I support it because it will provide another option for people at a better price than previously. But not spending money on it when it won't work for me because of the way I do motion control on my rig. Anyway, not knocking your board. It does offer some benefits to those that need it that an arduino alone can't perform.

Hey, its on 99% now! Way to go!

Its past the goal . Well done @Thanos .

Congrats @Thanos

Thanks @SilentChill @SeatTime

There are still 4 days left, and alot $55 AMC1280USB kits to grab while they are still available!

If it were $55 for 6DOF control I woulda jumped at it but I cant justify the extra $$$ for 6DOF addon for what gain I may get.

No worries. Not sure what you mean about addon.

Thanks
Thanos

And this is the part that is not explained well in the Kickstarter. The 6dof extension board is only needed if you are running VFDs/AC motors. For all DC motor 6DOF simulators, just the basic 55$ board will be sufficient as was explained by Thanos.

I grabbed one of these boards so I don't have to deal with 3/6 Arduinos.

I also grabbed one for 55$ just to support @Thanos and his project.

I don't want to give spoilers, but there is possibility of better integration of the AMC1280USB hardware with Simtools soon, if @yobuddy is up to it.

There was a suggestion for Presets for both the Axis Assignments and Interface settings for the AMC1280USB, but the controller already has capabilities to take it even further.

With a few simple commands Simtools could identify retrieve all the settings from the AMC1280USB, like how many motors are being used, PID settings, Sensor limits and resolutions or even home position. This would allow a neat intelligent "automatic" profiling on the Simtools side to determine the type of platform and assign correct axis for 6DOF (with inverse kinematics support), or 3DOF or 4DOF etc... Also could be used to notify the AMC1280USB owners that they use outdated version firmware if a newer improved version exists.

Anyway, that's something that we will be looking at soon. Hopefully available same time as the kickstarter rewards will be delivered.

Thanks
Thanos

Do you know this post: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...ugin-for-simtools-2-0-api-documentation.8813/

PS: You have my Kickstarter support too

I have seen it before, but it seems incomplete? It will need much work to have it "assign" axis and other useful information back to simtools if it even has access to do that. I'll have another look, perhaps I'll compile my 6DOF plugin to hook to it with redirected inputs/outputs through it.

Just noticed... its in VisualBasic? I'm not even sure if I have it, I know I have MS visual studio with C++ on it as that is what the 6DOF plugin compiles on.

PS. Thanks for the support!!!!

Yes, it's written in VB.
In principle you can also write a dll in any other language as long as it exports the same functions as the original plugin.

I've modified the jrk interface plugin so that the dll feeds back the position to Simtools. It's not difficult and very flexible.

With pleasure

I'm using the upgraded 1280 and Sabertooths 2x60 motor drivers for my sim upgrade , so this is all good news .

I didn't realise you do not need the 6DOF ext board, that is just for AC. That was my problem with backing, maybe I'm a bit slow but it did not mention 6DOF so I just presumed you needed the ext board.

I have backed for $55

Almost reached the stretch goal! I started printing soft buttons and knobs already!




EDIT* Its 150% now!! Well done!


Thanks
Thanos