Showroom 6DOF Stewart AC Servo Motion Helicopter Build

Those were NEMA17 stepper motors and TB6600 drivers. They are cheap but a bit too weak. Spending a few $ more for NEMA23 motors and MD542 drives would be much better. And it wouldn't even use more space because the fans could be omitted.

I think NEMA23 motors with gearboxes would be lighter. The torque spec of the Rhino stick is ~9Nm with a 6.25 gear ratio (timing belt). So the NEMA23 motors have around 1.5Nm.

Yes, its all in the gearing. But theorectically they should not get hot enough to need fans.

Can't get near my sim, too many chores to do. Maybe tomorrow....

depends on what helis you fly, if you want the trim release and autopilot stuff its nice

Ah yes, it's that senario where if you haven't got the bits in place to make it work, you just have another non functional button.

I've created a repository at Github, and stuck all the part and assembly files, for anyone that wants to flame me , or is curious enough to want a look.

And being the cheapskate that I am, it's all done on FreeCAD. I added all the files, which means if you stick them all in FreeCAD you can turn all the individual parts on/off depending on what you're looking at.
I've also added some contrasting colours, and transparency to make it easier to distinguish parts.

https://github.com/TheGettinBetter/6DOF_Sim
I've added the motors for the cyclic FFB, and made a ton of un-noticeable changes. But hey, I'm having fun.

Probably not the final edit (in fact almost certainly not) but its all about evolution.

i am by no means a programmer but with these

having ffb could you program one to mimic the other?

Maybe, I'm not too sure.

I have already ordered FFB motors from VPforce, and they have acknowledged payment, I went for larger motors to negate the use of fans, plus to use those in the video, would mean I'd have four motors (2 for each one).

By making the cyclic sticks mechanically connected, instills positional confidence and lowers the need for extra motors.

I have changed the title to include 'Helicopter', as the possibility of making it dual purpose (i.e. Driving & Flying Sim), is beginning to take a back seat. The helo components are becoming more dedicated and I am thinking I may just stick to my original concept (i.e. a helicopter).

No, mechanical link is the only real way. It's been discussed many times on vpf discord

The center position and spring force comes from the game. Then, the pilot pushes to a new position. What would the copilot stick do? Does it switch to the new center of the pilot's stick? with what force? How would it tell 'who is the pilot'? What if the copilot is an instructor? would them pushing the stick be felt by the student? Its all a crazy feedback loop.

you have the X motor on the tube? probably better to floor mount it and bolt on separate balance weights to tha back of the tube if needed. Also you will need some hard adjustable end-stops.

I did initially mount it on the floor, but then when you put in some forward cyclic, it adds sideways cyclic as the shaft rotates. Putting it on the shaft stops this.

When I actually make it, the intension is to have it all balanced around the centre point, with the FFB taking care of self centering.

Agree about the hard stops, but will factor those in later, when I'm happier with the basic design.

I think it should be possible. Of course, the connection can't be totally stiff, otherwise it would cause oscillations. But you could model a spring that adds a force proportional to the position difference to both sticks. So it's like a stiff spring or a bit flexible connection rods. Each pilot feels what the other does and there's no need to detect 'who is the pilot'. You'd probably also need damping.

But I agree that this solution doubles the number of motors required and therefore the price. So a mechanical connection is much simpler.

I bet you wouldnt even notice, with that long of a rod between motor and its connection point. I certainly dont and mine is much shorter

I agree, you probably wouldn't notice, but I know its there, so my OCD means I have to design it out...
BTW, thats a very nice system you have there, and very tidy. Nice work

Getting close now, motors (at least some of them) will be here by Friday, pulleys are also enroute.
Added the collective, any comments appreciated. Notice I put all the weight on the passengers side.
Zip is on Github here





As before, all files in one folder, open Bell206_Cockpit_Assembly-4.FCStd
Tip: Parts can be turned on & off by selecting them in the tree view, and hitting the space bar.