3DOF - AC Motor Platform - 95% FINISHED - 020515

keep up the good work ...

ado_tahan,
Thank YOU and all of the great folks here for your encouragement, help and future help.
ALL have a blessed one.
Tom

Hi Tom,

Really interested in your progress with this thread. I am planning to do a similar build but 2DOF.

Like you I can fabricate the frame no problem but the electronics is what is stopping me from building.

Can I ask what motor controller and cards you plan to use? As I have a wiring diagram for a 12V system but I think i too would like to use AC motors because of the weight my platform will handle.

Really excited to follow this, my email is mitchellmoxon@gmail.com if you wouldnt mind sending the wiring diagram?


Many thanks
Mitch

Good work keep it up looks nice n strong These are my dc acuatiors going to use 12v drill motors. With the gear slip ajuster so I don't brake any thing might be good ideas u know I need help in controler can't get any thing to move with sliders using adruino and moto shield

Hello fireflyone,
Thanks for responding - looks like you're well on your way. I'm going to post more pics tomorrow - have the base platform cover cut, drilled, painted and IF the weather holds, I will paint the base steel platform this week, attach the platform cover and wheels - then on to placement of my motors etc. As far as controllers, my MAJOR weakness. This is my first build and I know virtually zero about the electronics....
I'm sure a few guys will help me here with the electronics...
Just post in the Sim New Build area, starting your build topic...ask any questions, and I'm sure they will be correctly answered. We have a great bunch of builders here, from experts in metal fab, electronic engineers, great conceptual thinking. Glad you're started - AND if you're asking questions, well you are on you way.

Have a blessed one friend.

Tom

UPDATE - A few more pictures.
Well folks, I "have" been busy somewhat. Weather won't allow me to paint the base steel frame - it's holding me up but I'm sure it will happen.

I have cut the 3/4 MDF for the base steel platform cover, round-cornered with router, drilled the holes to match platform base for bolts & nuts - also used forstner bit to countersink my attachment holes so they
will accommodate my 3/4" vinyl hole covers - middle pic is with the base cover painted and ready to go - as soon as I can paint my base steel.

The bottom two pictures - left side, I have welded and ground the angles in each corner to accommodate my casters. Bottom right pic, I have temporarily attached a caster for fit "and just to make sure".

Guys, I'm really having fun and the ol' brain juices are starting to flow once again.

I am going to open up a new thread in the "Questions & Answers" section - I would like you folks to see if I'm on the same page with my gearhead/pot setups, and other questions as I'm getting into some areas of the build that I need other thought processes.

I will continue to post pictures and updates here, as they happen.

Thanks so much and have a blessed one.

Tom

Very Good job Mr.\Tom ...

But first I know you mean MDF "Medium Density Fiberboard" ... MDF ... MDF ... MDF ... MDF
not MFD as "Multi function display" or " Microfarad" or "Milwaukee Fire Department" .
it took me 10 minutes searching for ... what is 3/4 MFD means ?

Second ... Casters with breaks are good ... But, Are you going to use these caster wheels for all the base corners ?!!
I guess it will not be good for overall simulator stability on the ground and will not withstand the pouncing forces during playing the games ... to make the frame stationary you may use this .


And Pleeeease upload the future plans to make us think with you ... Thinking is the fun part for all of us ... and we are not in a sim building race ... wait for the clouds to pass some of us are freezing right now ... Don't push onto yourself too hard ... a step forward from you is big enough for all of us .


Thanks for the good sharing efforts .

abdo_tahan,
Hello my friend "Speedy"..thanks for your reply - ALWAYS good to hear from you.
LOL - MDF - I had a typo and have corrected it....sorry for you doing a search - bet you thought it was something "new" and you just had to find out what it was.

Yes, lockable casters are on all four corners. There will be times that I will need to move the simulator. I will be using metal "cups" that the casters will sit in, making it stationary for simming.

I will complete this build - posting pics whenever it's valid and not pushing too hard, but staying busy. Since I've started, the juices are flowing and I just can't wait to get more time to work on it. As stated, it's un-seasonably cold here right now. We normally have some 70+ degree days, but not for the past two months. When I get one of those type days, I will paint the metal base frame and mount the MDF base cover.

I certainly need some help in several areas. I started a new thread in the Questions & Answers for some help and thoughts on mounting my pots to gearheads. Please go there and let me know what you think. I value your knowledge and help.

Again, thanks so much for your nice words. I will look at my other thread for your comments.

Have a blessed one,
Tom

Hi Tom,

what size/thickness steel you using for this?

Regards

Hello Mitch,
I used 1.5 x 1.5" steel - it's walls are 1/8" thick. Bitch to cut on a chop saw - but a pleasure to weld.

Tom

BUILD UPDATE - MARCH 10, 2014

Hi Folks,
Pics of completed platform base, w/hole plugs - no visible bolts or nuts - plus protects from moisture, potential corrosion.
Pic of spline shaft / u-joint, welded and ready for future part of build.

I am now working on readiness to order a compression / assist spring - All you folks have been so good to educate me in the Q&A Thread of this build. Sure has saved me a multiple of mistakes for inexperience - and a ton of things I had no clue about. THANKS to all of you.

And, I started working on the gearshaft arms -
Later this week, health prevailing, I will do a mock-up of motors/gearheads on base platform.

Thanks so much for looking and staying with me on this project. Me "thinks" we will have a nice flight sim??

Have a most blessed one,
Tom

Tom,

seems we are building our sims at similar paces lol!

Looks good, have you built the top & bottom frame to the same size? Also what do you plan on building ontop of the base? Some kind of enclosed cabin?


rgds

Hi Mitch,
Bottom frame - 3' x 4'
Top frame - 3' x 5' -
I'm going to cover the top frame base with aluminum diamond-plate...then attach the new r-Seat, RS1 - the extra 1' will give me room to build and mount tv screen, and other peripherials.
I'm about ready to order the compression / assist spring - YES, it's do some, then wait for parts, build some more - but all the extra ideas that come into play can sometimes be mind boggling.
Sooner or later, we will have them completed.......
Have a blessed one Mitch,
Tom

Cthiggin Hello, I'm watching your project and is getting a very nice, clean finish, I want to start my platform only 2 DOF, I'm thinking of using the same dimensions of your project will be giving right? I have a question to the chart below I use the same dimensions priate above or have any structural change at the bottom?
And what control board you want to use? good'll be watching your project closely since it is the same base I want to use.

Hello robervalllll,
Thanks for your kind words.
I'm about ready to thread some more pictures here - later this week. I have my top platform finished, the spline collar and spline tube......real close to needing electronics.
My bottom frame is 3' x 4' - my top frame is 3' x 5' - top and bottom frame have the same "centers" - just one foot longer to accommodate my RS1 and Monitor/sound system.

I will be using the SimAxe board (possibly modified) to control my sim - using the AC Motors/gearheads along with VFD's....

Stay tuned and ask any questions and "if I know the answer" will be more than happy to accommodate.

Have a blessed one,

Tom

Our I'm impressed, I did not know SimAxe and read 6 pages in the forum, found it very simple to build, in 2011 I concluded the AMC 1.5 h and the bridge, do not know following in my project because I wanted to work with VFD and AC motors I realized that the forum does not have much reference to the plate SimAxe work with AC motors, you know if they are developing some PWM converter 0-5 to 0-10V which is input VFD?
More actually found very interesting and I think I will start producing the plate.

Let me say this - "me" thinks an all-in-one board is being evaluated for AC's and multiple DOF's....
Attached is a photo of a wiring diagram put together by another member that WILL work for AC's as it is..... I think the "one" evaluating the all-in-one board would like to just consolidate all the hardware into one unit....we'll just have to wait and see...but it's doable now....and the future looks very promising...

Stay in touch.

Tom

Hi folks,
Been a "Long Time" in process and updating here........so, to bring you up to date.

Many Saturdays and some evenings, and the mechanical portion of the build is finished.................

What is left to do:
1. Electronics - (yobuddy and speedy are helping me with this)
2. Install finished MDF Top to platform
3. Install RS1 Sim Cockpit
4. Build and Install stand for 42" TV

Then the "fun" will really begin.

I also want to thank so many of you for your encourage and help along the way. Without the help, I would have a very bad abortion on my hands.......but, "me thinks" it has turned out pretty good and hopefully
will be one of the best performing platforms out there????

What I have learned this past 6 months cannot be measured.........I do know one thing though - I would have made some minor modifications that would have made the build easier and less expensive........but
such is the price of experience.....but, overall, I am pleased!

The pics are some of painting, some of platform with gearheads / crankarms mounted / some in finality with motors/pots installed and wired.......many photos were lost when I changed from my iPhone to a
Android Razr..........after the fact, Verizon told me they were "gone".........so be it.

Many blessing to you all! Tom

Sweet!

ps On a side rant Verizon sucks! So does Sprint and T-Mobile. None of them care about keeping you as a customer. They are all about maximizing profits at their customers expense or have crappy service in many areas where I need it. I guess I'm about down to trying AT&T next. I don't know who I'll try after they piss me off too!

well done! it looks very nice! and strong

how did you design your spring? something available?...
thks