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My First Motion 3DOF Sim Build...(Advice?)

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Ben Selph, Oct 29, 2014.

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  1. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Great info, thanks! Does each board need a heatsink as well?
    Ben Selph, Nov 10, 2014
    #21
  2. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, JRK

    Yes they do. Cant remember what page, But i have the actual chip dimension's listed in my thread.
    • Informative Informative x 1
    Nick Moxley, Nov 10, 2014
    #22
  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    My heatsinks are still coming, along with modified alloy mounting boxes for the JRKs.
    • Informative Informative x 1
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2014
    noorbeast, Nov 10, 2014
    #23
  4. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    Ok, I've been looking at @rundmg build and I think have a good grip on the basics. My concern at this point is all of the smaller connections. I'm not sure how the metal rods attach to the pot and motors. I can see quite a few bolts and L-joints (sorry if that's not the correct term) and some glue on the top of the motors holding the joint in place. It's the small connectors that I can't quite see from the pics of how they all fit. I'm going to start the base frame build this weekend and am thinking about ordering the jrk boards, motors and pots soon (most likely the same ones from @rundmg build since it sounds like those are decent and quiet). Thanks for all the tips! I'm a little nervous about building this from scratch since I obviously don't want to screw it up and waste the money that I'll spend on parts, lol...I'm just trying to get as much info as possible before I start!
    Ben Selph, Nov 11, 2014
    #24
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    There is a FAQ on various ways to connect pots: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-connect-potentiometer.13/

    Using a coupler of the right size is a pretty easy way to go, if that fits your design and motors: http://www.xsimulator.net/community...f-simulator-conversion.5914/page-3#post-63809

    The bracket that hold the pot should have some give and it is better to attach to and move with the motor, rather than be attached to the frame, as the latter can cause binding and strain.

    Don't forget you can pose a specific questions or put forward an idea before doing anything as you go along.
    noorbeast, Nov 11, 2014
    #25
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    OK I just took these close up front and back shots of how I mounted my pots, which is just one way of many to do it.

    I used 20x2mm flat aluminium mounted directly to the existing back holes in the motor case. I was very careful in getting this bracket spot on and actually made about 6 of them before I was happy that they correctly aligned the pot with the shaft coupling. There are plenty of other ways to achieve the same thing.

    I had originally planned a direct attachment of the pot to the motor shaft, mainly to save space, but changed my mind at the last minute and grabbed a coupling as it allows for some variation and movement if the hole in the shaft is not dead center. Hence I adapted what I had already done in drilling the M8 hole in the shaft to how I needed to connect that to the pot coupling, so it is more complicated than it should have been if I had the correct coupling and planned to use that from the start: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/dx-racer-compact-simulator.5866/page-3#post-63105

    Hope that helps more than confuses, just keep in mind we all tend to adapt a solution to suit ourselves!

    20141111_170042.jpg
    20141111_170150.jpg
    • Like Like x 1
    • Useful Useful x 1
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2014
    noorbeast, Nov 11, 2014
    #26
  7. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    Thanks @noorbeast, I appreciate you taking the time to take the pics. That looks amazing! I don't have any mechanical equipment to drill into metal so can this be done with off the shelf items from a hardware store?
    Ben Selph, Nov 11, 2014
    #27
  8. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Coupler's are going to be your best bet Ben. They just clamp on to what ever round shaft you want, like the Pot and Axle bolt. Just get the proper size the first time for your Application.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    Nick Moxley, Nov 11, 2014
    #28
  9. jem45472

    jem45472 Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Here's mine. Very easy to setup.
    I used a piece of hose to connect pot to motor. Simple.

    I have since replaced the mounting bracket with a very light gauge aluminum. About the thickness of a soda can. You want the bracket to flex just a bit if it needs to avoid binding the pot shaft as the motor turns. Several of us have broken pots because the mounting bracket was too rigid.
    • Informative Informative x 1
    jem45472, Nov 12, 2014
    #29
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Some people have used metal straps common in hardware stores to mount pots, such as these: http://www.bunnings.com.au/pryda-75-x-380mm-nail-on-connector-plate-_p2430027

    The light aluminium I used came from the local hardware store.

    I consider that you really do need a power drill at least when building a sim. I also lashed out a whole $60 dollars and purchased a drill press for my project, which has been invaluable and a great time saver. You could get away without it though, as long as you measure carefully and take your time with a power drill.
    • Like Like x 1
    noorbeast, Nov 12, 2014
    #30
  11. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    I'm good with drilling, just not so much the welding or metal cutting.... :) Ok so you just attach the pot to the metal plate and attach the metal plate to the motor. Am I seeing that right? I'm still a couple of weeks out from ordering the mechanical stuff since I'm planning on starting the frame build next week (parts for that should arrive around 11/22).
    Also, what is the difference between mounting the metal rods to the seat vs. mounting to a base that the seat sits on? I don't think I want to put holes in my new seat if possible but wondered if there was a big difference between the two types of setups? Thanks again!
    Ben Selph, Nov 13, 2014
    #31
  12. bsft

    bsft

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    Yes more or less, I used some metal strap, bent it , lined up where the pot needs to go, drilled the hole a bit bigger than the pot shaft size, bolted the pot to that, and araldite glues the strap to the top of the motor housing.
    As for your next question, perhaps you could draw something on paper, and put up a pic so I can get a better idea.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    bsft, Nov 13, 2014
    #32
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    A sketch as @bsft suggested of what you have in mind would really help.

    Yes there is a significant difference in layouts for motors and rods, with a shoulder mount perhaps being the most straightforward. But different designs can be made to work, which @bsft and others have explored through various builds.

    Your planning picture does not need to be fancy, just a quick idea of what may suit yourself and then everyone can chip in with tips and ideas about the pros and cons, plus add potential solutions.
    noorbeast, Nov 13, 2014
    #33
  14. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    Ok I received a few parts for the frame and should have completed over Thanksgiving weekend. I'll upload some pics when done. FYI that I'm actually going to build three of them for my fam with the center rig being the only motion rig for now (which will be mine of course :). Quick question on SimTools: Are the 'plug-ins' preset values for each sim game that I just add to the game somehow or do I need to hand-tool every field for every sim myself? The SimXperience SimCommander tool looks more user friendly but I don't want to be stuck with only the sims they support. Are there any other differences between SimTools and SimCommander?
    Ben Selph, Nov 17, 2014
    #34
  15. bsft

    bsft

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    You will need to change tuning centre numbers to suit how you like each force.
    Because there are so many variables for each persons ride, every setting is different .
    Bernards software is set because he uses the same equipment all the time
    Have a look at this doc
    http://www.xsimulator.net/community...-set-up-simtools-jrks-and-write-profiles.112/
    its for ver 1.2, but explains how to do each force and setting to get a profile right.
    bsft, Nov 18, 2014
    #35
  16. Ben Selph

    Ben Selph New Member

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    What are the "plug-ins"? Are they pre-tuned profiles that you can plug into current sims?
    Ben Selph, Nov 18, 2014
    #36
  17. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Informative Informative x 1
    noorbeast, Nov 18, 2014
    #37
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