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Information Overload! Where to start :)

Discussion in 'New users start here - FAQ' started by wthierry, Jan 13, 2015.

  1. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    I have been debating this on and off for a while. Building a home sim platform. I have built several full sized R2'd2's and so I am confident I have the ability, but a design and where to get the "CORRECT" actuators baffles me because there are so many. I am more into creating a 4 base platform, so essentially 4dof that is only big enough to hole a stable seat... The idea is for use with a vr headset design that runs on a smartphone (OpenDive) which I have printed with my 3d printer. I see some very complex and cool designs on here, but looking for the simplest one possible, as a starter, and not taking up much space. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    thanks
    wes in san francisco...
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2015
    wthierry, Jan 13, 2015
    #1
  2. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    Hi Wes,

    Welcome to the forum. I am new here myself, and like you, the amount of info can be overwhelming.

    I have a design in my head and I have been seeking validation from the members on here and the experience has been awesome.
    My advice to you is just to ask questions and then more questions..

    The only stupid question is one that never gets asked ;)

    Good luck!
    Archie, Jan 13, 2015
    #2
  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    @Archie is spot on, start by asking lots of questions, post some ideas and rough drawings so others can let you know what works and what is problematic.

    First off I think it fair to say that 4DOF Stewart style rig is not simple for a newbie. Nor is it cheap to build, as you need some hefty lifting power. It can be done but be mindful of the realities. 4DOF with surge and drift is much simpler.

    Second, OpenDive is for cell phones and is not compatible with PC games that SimTools runs. Many of us do use the Oculus Rift and that is an awesome experience, though it is still a developers toy, not a consumer device.

    It may seem a bit overwhelming but do spend time looking over and asking questions about sims that others have already built. Use them for inspiration and to define your own needs.
    noorbeast, Jan 13, 2015
    #3
  4. bsft

    bsft

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    Id suggest start with a 2 DOF seat mover and advance from there
    bsft, Jan 13, 2015
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  5. bsft

    bsft

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    bsft, Jan 13, 2015
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  6. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    wthierry, Jan 13, 2015
    #6
  7. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    2dof might be the best start, thanks for the tip. But I would like to buy motors or actuators that I can take with me to the next level. Probably looking for something with the range of about 4 or 6 inches.... What speeds should I look for? I have seen some fairly strong actuators on ebay but the speed is usually about 6 or 12mm per second. that sounds pretty slow, am I right?
    wthierry, Jan 13, 2015
    #7
  8. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    WAY too slow for motion. There's a good reason we run the motor's we run.
    • Agree Agree x 2
    Nick Moxley, Jan 13, 2015
    #8
  9. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    If you are looking at doing a 2DOF and perhaps adding traction loss and maybe surge later then DC motors, say 50:1 or even 60:1 will do just fine, and will be recyclable for other projects later. Something like these, depending on where in the world you are:

    These come in left and right configurations out of the UK -

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380956910371&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111415229286&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

    These are from Canada -

    http://www.ebay.ca/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-1...483?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bed470a3

    These are from Australia:

    http://www.motiondynamics.com.au/12v-or-24v-dc-worm-drive-geared-motor-200w-21-256-rpm-7.5-45nm.html

    Your choice in powerful, affordable actuators is limited and likely expensive unless you build your own, like @SeatTime is doing here: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/seattimes-6dof-dc-build.6106/
    noorbeast, Jan 13, 2015
    #9
  10. bsft

    bsft

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    Do you have any examples and or sketches of what you may like to build?
    bsft, Jan 13, 2015
    #10
  11. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Probably the simplest one I can find for now. Something that moves a chair.... no need for pedals or leg stretch. Im still investigating :) Just want to make sure I can use what I make in future builds. I did that with my 3d printer, but a cheap Printrbot kit a few years ago, upgraded only a few rods and made a printer double the size using the same electrical and electronic components...
    wthierry, Jan 14, 2015
    #11
  12. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    noorbeast, Jan 14, 2015
    #12
  13. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Has anyone every looked into Alibaba for some motors or actuators? I have seen some interesting items on there, but not sure how reliable things are there...
    wthierry, Jan 14, 2015
    #13
  14. wthierry

    wthierry Member

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    Thanks NoorBeast! Thats exactly what I was looking for! I will probably do a small model 3d printed before going big, and in the meantime shop around for the motors.....
    wthierry, Jan 14, 2015
    #14
  15. mohamed maghraby ahemad

    mohamed maghraby ahemad medo

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino, 4DOF
    I remember us some examples of what you want to build it
    mohamed maghraby ahemad, Jan 14, 2015
    #15
  16. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    RacingMat, Jan 14, 2015
    #16
  17. welen123

    welen123 Member Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    I'm new here too ,I have build a RC model to familiarize the simtools ,I think this must be the best way to learning how to build a real simulation ,I have a 3D printer too which can help me a lot to design the model.
    welen123, Jan 24, 2015
    #17