Chopper Time - DIY Helicopter Collective

Been following this with interest.

You may also like this from Thingiverse.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989821

If you are so inclined, you can build a full sim chair !!

http://hc625ma.org/

Hi Archie. Funny you mention that. I do have such a project underway, but i'm working on a new system. There are a ton of good things on thingiverse but they fall down in one area. They fail the 'not invented here' test. Actually i've got an idea for something quite modular that can be moved around to adapt to different aircraft.

@Archie - on this subject I'm working on a throttle quadrant at the moment. Its going to be well engineered using good sealed bearings. I can handle the rotation and the hall sensor stuff fine. The problem I have is how to introduce some friction. I did a flight stick and there's no problem there - bit of bungee for self centring, but everything else I want to build needs some friction.

There's a bearing and a magnet/sensor in the middle of this, so I can't put a tightening bolt in the middle. Maybe a brake shoe type thing with a spring, but there isn't much space below and its getting fiddly. If I do go with the brake shoe idea, any thoughts on a material for it?

Is it possible to buy sealed bearings with built in high viscosity? I can't find anything online

Foam?

Found this idea suggesting foam which the levers slide against. Another aussie inventor/hacker. I really feel that Australia punches above its weight when it comes to this stuff.

https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/show...t-creating-a-proper-arc&p=1643321#post1643321

Looks great!

A felt washer on the quadrant base / control stick mating point, might achieve the same feel??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-F...ons-Strap-Pins-in-White-or-Black/372370723873

Yes i like that better than foam. I'll look at felt rings and felt strips.

Hi there,
just signed up to annoy you with some questions:
1. What's your experience with the diy collective so far? Working properly on Sims (like DCS, Xplane...)? Is it really Plug&Play with the Bodnar-Board?
2. Aren't the nuts/screws of the mating point loosening after a while?
3. Is it sensitive enough to use a pot instead of hall sensor?
By the way, thanks for the great inspiration !

Hi @Christoph

1. Working properly? Absolutely but I've only tested on FS2. I have x-plane but haven't tested it yet
2. nyloc nuts. No problem
3. Very happy with sensitivity, but if I was doing it again I'm now a hall sensor convert and would go that way

Phil

Thanks for your quick answer. Thought about doing the same with hall sensors myself. But how to fix the magnet to the smaller gear wheel. Would some hot glue just do the job? And would I need plastic gear wheels instead of the metal stuff you used or is that no problem with the magnetic field?

I'm all about 3d printing now. No need for gear wheels. 45 degrees of rotation of a 5mm3 magnet with sensor held 1mm over it gives plenty of detail with a leo bodnar. Design a 5mm slot for the magnet and print "external perimeters first" and its a snug fit.

Don't have a 3d printer? Get an Ender 3 for $150. It will change your life. Its changed mine !!

Wow, so you're not using gear at all? Just the magnet fixed to the pivot point and that's it? I'm still not sure about all the metal parts so close to the magnetic field. Don't have any experience with hall sensors. But I'll give it a try. Thanks.
Just googled the Ender3. Looks like a great birthday gift I'll suggest to my wife...

I got mine for Christmas. My wife likes it. Instead of spending hours in the man cave I spend more time with her on my laptop designing stuff in Fusion 360. Then you set it printing overnight and rush to see the result in the morning like its Christmas. e.g. Spitfire throttle and mixture handles - see where the magnet is.

I haven't redesigned the collective with halls. It ain't broke...

It's amazing where I was 18 months ago with this project - well its evolved a bit - https://www.facebook.com/AuthentiKit-102656871578604