3 DOF simulator

3DOF simulator
I have been planning this project for a while, and it seems that there is always something popping up that interferes, like work, family and other obligations, but my wife sttarted encouraging me to get back into it.
I have already acquired the following;
1) Two SCN5-100, the third has been ordered.
2) Racing seat (Procar sport seat)
3) Three Meanwell 24V 3A regulated power supplies
4) Three Devantech USB-RS485 Serial Interfaces
5) Enclosure for the electronics
6) All electronics including a three pole contactor, switches, diodes and resistors, terminals for Molex
connectors etc.
7) Two 19" 5:4 aspect ratio monitors, I am looking for a third.
8) Three Fresnel lenses
I have to order an additional 24v power supply for a 24 V 6" -stroke actuator and the actuator for pedal support adjustment.
I began detailing the extruded aluminum profiles for the frame, I will be using either Misumi or 8020 Inc profiles.

I will have to order some aluminum parts that will require bending and drilling.
I am uploading the CAD drawings and electrical schematic. The schematic is missing a connection from Devantech GND to pin 3 of SCN5 connector.

Nice collection of parts

Good luck on your build and please post pics of your progress

Thank you,
I am including a side and rear views, showing positioning of the SCN5's. I believe I found the dimensions shown in a post in this forum.
Distance center to center top of SCN5: 11.25" (285.75 mm)
Distance center to center bottom of SCN5: 30.5" (774.7 mm)
Distance form center of U-joint to bottom of SCN5: 28.5" (723.9 mm)

Do these dimensions represent the best positioning of the SCN5"s?
I am also updating the electrical schematic. I should be done with the detail drawings next week and start to source material.

If any of the experts on SCn5"s would be kind enough to check the schematic for functionality, I would be very grateful.
Keep in mind this is my first build and I am trying hard to get the best bang for my efforts.
















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I spent a good part of last week working on detailed drawings 995 so far), and the last part, which I should finish tomorrow is related to the triple monitor setup with Fresnel lenses. It will be a completely closed enclosure done in plywood with aluminum stiffeners. Then to find which supplier will give the best price for the extrusions, 8020 Inc or Misumi.
I will be checking with Mirai-Intertechnologies about their used SCN5's.
So things appear to be moving.

Good luck for your project

Finally finished the detailing. I had to completely redesign the triple monitor support. The monitors I have do have not rear mount, only bottom mount.
I have a total of 108 drawings for this project, including individual parts, sub-assemblies and assemblies. Thank God for CAD. One of the things I always loved about CAD is the possibility of identifying interferences
very easily. Caught a few.
Next week I will contact the local distributor of 8020 Inc and also the Misumi rep.
I tried to avoid as much as possible the amount of formed parts, to keep cost lower, but in some cases you have to bite the
bullet . Hoping to find an affordable metal fabricator for these parts.

108 drawings on CAD. Strewth!
You should see my draw of pencil and paper sketches.....

A question for users of simulators with SCN5's and brake pedal with load cell. While braking (30 kg load cell), the Scn5's are extending, while the driver is applying a force through the seat counter to the movement of the actuators. Has anyone experienced overloading of the actuators? My question might be moot, since there are a lot of simulators using these actuators and seemingly without any detrimental effects. Please share your experiences.

Well, ended up answering my own question. Taking into consideration the distance from the pivot center of the u-joint to the the point where the force is to be applied on the seat, and the distance from the u-joint to the top mounting points of the SCN5's, and considering 20 kg applied simultaneously to these points by the actuators, this would correspond to 45 plus or minus 5 kg applied to the brake pedal. Since the maximum force of the load cell is 30 kg, I would not overload the Scn5's.