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Build thread for my 3 dof simulator platform

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by E1m0, Feb 13, 2016.

  1. E1m0

    E1m0 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    Messages:
    53
    Occupation:
    Plant Engineer
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    217Coins
    Ratings:
    +28 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    I installed the anti-twist and did a "test ride". I'm not too confident about the motors. They get the whole thing moving, but do not track as well the set point as with out load (the motor 3 again is the best of the bunch).
    The anti-twist makes it even harder for the motors, but is necessary to eliminate wobbling. I didn't do much testing as I run out of time and I feared that I would burn some MMs ( as at least one of them has one of the chips badly installed, one chip is 0,5mm higher than other, so my cooling is not necessarily effective on the lower chip).

    The whole system is light enough to push around with wheels, but heavy enough not to move while "riding".

    Some new photos:

    20160610_185059.jpg
    Front motor and some anti-twists

    20160610_185052.jpg
    Bottom, wheels and such

    20160610_185103.jpg
    Back motors and anti-twist

    20160610_200715.jpg
    The rig at this point

    20160610_200711.jpg

    There is still a lot to tweaking and some parts to do (e.g. removable HOTAS stands and motor on/off-switches).
    And of course if I ever get this thing performing the way I like, I need to decorate it.
  2. E1m0

    E1m0 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    Messages:
    53
    Occupation:
    Plant Engineer
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    217Coins
    Ratings:
    +28 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    First real LFS testing:


    The motor levers are not centered and I haven't done much tuning. Also the anti-twist is working but not as well as I wanted, it's a bit wobbly.
    The motors are not as smooth as I would have wanted but I haven't touched the tuning parameters of SimTools nor PIDs.
    Still the motor 3 (back right hand side) does the best job...

    Best part is that motors were not hot nor the MMs burned :D
    • Like Like x 4
  3. E1m0

    E1m0 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    Messages:
    53
    Occupation:
    Plant Engineer
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    217Coins
    Ratings:
    +28 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Some modifications:
    I installed gas struts and removed the springs from the back.
    Now the motors wont work unless there is some weight on the sim, but they require less power while loaded.

    While I was experimenting I accidentally clicked full current for one motor in SMC util and that instant one MM burned...
    I know, I should use fuses (I have bought them but didn't install).
    Well, I have more soldering to do :p
    I'm getting Vive tomorrow so I believe that fixing the rig will have to wait for a while :p
    • Like Like x 1
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    21,075
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    148,142Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,888 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  5. E1m0

    E1m0 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    Messages:
    53
    Occupation:
    Plant Engineer
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    217Coins
    Ratings:
    +28 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    It has been a while since my last update on this project.

    Well it happened to be so that the gas struts were too heavy (350N), I changed them to 200N struts and a 60N in the front. Now the motors are quite ok (would be better if I could drive the MMs higher than 180 with out thermal shutdowns), I believe that the best for my weight would be 250N struts in the back.
    One gear box of one motor was a bit loose, so I tightened it and it seems that that motor is needing more power to work than the other ones. I havent figured out why.
    One MM is getting too hot for some reason, it seems that there is some height difference between some components, so that the cooling block is not hitting it well enough.

    Well at least it is some what working :p
    • Like Like x 1
  6. E1m0

    E1m0 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    Messages:
    53
    Occupation:
    Plant Engineer
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    217Coins
    Ratings:
    +28 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Here is a video of a test run with pCars. Unfortunately the camera was aligned too high but you get the idea.
    I haven't done anything for the settings in SimTools. The motion of the rig itself is no where near what I would call smooth, but it's better than nothing.

  7. stargazer

    stargazer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2018
    Messages:
    129
    Occupation:
    Electrical/Computer Engineer
    Location:
    Boston,USA
    Balance:
    811Coins
    Ratings:
    +35 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform, 4DOF
    Hi E1m0
    What would be the minimum height of a room needed to host your rig? I am trying to find out if my little playroom has enough height clearance for a sim similar to yours? My room height is only a little more than 7 feet.
    Thanks
    Stargazer
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    21,075
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    148,142Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,888 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    @E1n0 has not been on the forum this year, so to answer you question yes you can design a rig like his that can be used with a ceiling height of 7 feet.
  9. stargazer

    stargazer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2018
    Messages:
    129
    Occupation:
    Electrical/Computer Engineer
    Location:
    Boston,USA
    Balance:
    811Coins
    Ratings:
    +35 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, Arduino, Motion platform, 4DOF
    noorbeast, thanks!
    This is perhaps the best answer I got ever. I had been afraid that the only spare room in my home is not big enough for these toys. And I am not sure if the wife will move to accomodate anything like this .

    Thank you again.