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2DOF mini Arduino motion platform protoype

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by early_m, Feb 7, 2017.

  1. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    thanks for your help @insanegr , I actually found and used one of your posts a while back to get me started. I used your interface setup but didn't know about the 'Axis1a' requirement, so fingers crossed this will sort the issue.
    I am using the same servos as you (T69e), did you require extra power to the arduino to power them?
    I requested a DIY key a few days ago so hopefully it will come through soon.
  2. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    i didn't use any extra power supply for the servos. they where powered through the usb
    • Useful Useful x 1
  3. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    great, just what I wanted to hear
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    The SimTools demo has the Live For Speed plugin included and it is fully functional, specifically for the purpose of testing. LFS has a free demo version of the game that you can download and use with SimTools 2.0.

    As @insanegr said:
  5. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    thanks @noorbeast, I have LFS, but to be honest I'm just trying to get my servos responding by using the Output Testing, but I'm left scratching my head.

    I've uploaded the RCModelSimToolsMode.ino to the arduino and setup simtools as per the screen shots. I think the axis assignment is correct for my design. One Axis 1 for Pitch and Axis 2 for Roll. But in output settings I get no response from the servos when I move the sliders. Ideas? Anything to do with Simtools being in Demo mode? I applied for a free licence key but nothing yet - not sure how long it takes to come through.
    Axis.jpg Interface.jpg
  6. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    Axis1 for Roll and Axis2 for Pitch rather
  7. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    cant see from the pic well but you need a space between axis if you don't have one like this
  8. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    i didn't have a space - thought that might have been the culprit.... but still noting
  9. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    check the ino file and you will see a line like this
    here are the pins for the servo connection and then check your wiring
  10. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    Can confirm the servos are connected to pins 4 & 5. When I plug the usb in the servos align to 90 degrees so I know the ard code is working. Seems to be simtools communicating with the ard?

    image.jpeg
  11. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    A couple of suggestions to try:

    Output bit range should be 8

    Confirm the Com port is correct.
  12. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    BINGO! thanks @noorbeast did the trick! although game engine crashed while using output testing... but we have life!

    wonder why the preset doesn't configure the output bit setting
    • Winner Winner x 1
  13. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    glad you got it up running:thumbs
    if you had tried to save the axis assignments you would have seen that you couldn't save it as you didn't have all parameters configured.
    every time you make a change you have to press save and a pop up window will show you have saved it otherwise it wont save it on its own.
    same goes to every tab in simtools
  14. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    cheers, thanks for your help.
    I have also discovered the reason for the game engine crashing. it would appear the servos were drawing more power than the ard could supply. So I fashioned a usb power supply out of an old ithings cable and connected to the ard 5V and GND ports to give the servos a boost (pic for anyone who is unsure how to do this as the wiring diagram I found didn't show this).

    IMG_2973.JPG

    have now tested multiple times with output testing and LFS - hasn't crashed once.
    i know you said you didn't add additional power, did you use a genuine ard? mines a clone so that might be the reason. anyway, so happy it's working, has been a massive learning curve.
    now to perfect the settings and will post some pics/vids of the final assembly once the 3d parts have arrived.
  15. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    when i first tested it ,it was with a genuine arduino but i swapped it with a clone arduino mini v3 with no problems. i didn't use a external power supply for them.the proper way to wire your servos with a power supply is to connect the +5v to the +wire for the servo only and the negative to the servos and the arduino like this
    IMG_2973.JPG
    • Informative Informative x 1
  16. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    Ok thanks I will modify it as per your diagram. Whats the reason for this? Simply because you only need the additional power or is it something to do with overloading the ard?
  17. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    wiring the way i am showing above, the amperage wont go through the ard.
    if you want to connect a power supply to a ard you will have to connect it to its jack or at the Vin pin not at the 5Vpin and if you go this way the regulator on the ard isn't for a lot of amps and its for 3.3V and 5V but for your needs should be ok.
  18. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    ok thanks, like you say, for my needs and 2 small servos I have gone the Vin route. Seems to be working great.

    The more I look into servos the more I'm discovering about DIY Gseats. Might be a good option for me being space limited. I'm even thinking of a foldable/portable version using 6 40kg servos (2 per bottom plate and 1 per back plate) that I can place on an existing office chair. Has this been attempted? Will it work? Is it even possible?!

    So many questions, but lets start there.
  19. early_m

    early_m Active Member

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    Read all the threads under @noorbeast 's https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/diy-g-seats.172/ post, want to make a g seat more than ever. Started to have a play with servos to simulate sway, but I cant set them up so that one servo deals with positive% and the other negative%.

    I've tried @Schluzu 's code from his first post, and @eaorobbie 's other code posted to him, but my servos go nuts. Can someone advice on ard code required and simtools setup?
  20. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You would need to give more specific details of what happens and post pictures of all your settings.