DIY version of commercial simulator rides

Helllo,

I am curious if the X-Sim program could create motion similar to these commercial units:

http://www.belamny.com/files/Tsumo_Flyer.jpg

And

http://www.americanvending.com/html/amu ... Page_2.jpg

Here is the Madwave in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSjOi54v ... ure=fvwrel

Now what I would like to do is create a video and then sync motion simulator software/hardware to that video. In a nutshell I would like to create a home version of these commercial units.

I work at a local Chuck E. Cheese repairing games, and we have both of these units. The Mad Wave uses a simple tri-point platform with two actuators. The Tsumo uses a full 6 axis Stewart Platform using 6 heavy duty motors.

I am mostly interested in creating roller coaster videos.

So could this be done?

Thanx,

Geo

Can this be done?

your first link i dont know what it is, need more info

for the second link yes , for the look you need to be creative

the tird i tink there are made in my little town (joliette Québec canada)is a compagny call trio-tech who made arcade moving rides http://www.trio-tech.com/ and again your at the right plce to create a machine like those

good luck, keep us inform of your developement

But those machine are toys, you can do way bether than that, if its not odiot prof like those machine. Those triotech machines need to be heavyduty tink of a drunk guy of 300lb whit is girl both on the ride, it's for arcade, disney, theme park, stuff like that. they begin small but now there are all over the world nice susses story

Yes, I know that the 2nd unit is made by Trio-Tech. We have two such simulator units at our Chuck E. Cheese. The other unit is a rather boring single actuator system that just heaves the back end of a seat up, down, and vibrates. The Mad Wave with it's three point system is WAY more interesting because it rocks side to side. I think what I would like to do is up that ante on this and have a the third point (fixed on the Mad Wave) also move so this way there could be some pitch (forward/back) action as well.

For the first go round, I would be looking to do something simple using two seats (that can be ordered from Happ Controls) mounted on a tri-axis platform.

I have seen actuators on-line here made from car windshield wiper motors...but I think I am going to need something on the same principal, but heavier. I, myself, am no lightweight.

As for putting it together, looking at the Mad Wave at my job, it pretty much is a PC, a serial accessed control box, 2 actuators, and a surround sound receiver (yes, that is correct, it uses a receiver bolted to the inside rear panel of the unit). There is also a keyboard interface that hooks all the front panel buttons and coin switches to the computer via a USB port. Overall from a hardware point of view, it is fairly simple stuff for me. It is the software that is catching me.

Oh? I can do better? Like for example?

Thanx,

Geo

X-Sim will handle the axis and everything you need in software. Your biggest concern is connecting the actuators and making them move with X-Sim.

You could find out more about the serial accessed control box and let us know. You can attach pictures in your posts too.

Really? Actually that was a question I was going to ask you guys here. What are the X-sim guys using for control boxes?

As far as I know the Trio-Tech using a serial input and translates that information to a motor controller IC that is mounted to a large heat sink. The motor controller IC is more then likely an H-bridge that can reverse the polarity on a DC motor.

Now in terms of construction, probably a general robotics motor controller, such as a Sabertooth system, would work. The question comes into the actual serial translation part. That I don't know much about.

Thus I see the system in two parts once the information is sent out the serial port on the computer. One part is the serial translator that basically sends speed and direction control to each actuator motor controller (or driver) and that in turn is connected to the actuator.

How does X-sim communicate with the outside world? Is it RS-232, USB, ???

Thanx,

Geo

You are right with your observations. The main output of X-Sim is serial COM ports, these can be RS232, RS485, or Virtual ports through USB converters.

The USO and Synaptrix is where you can set up the output packets and communication, depending on the controller. There are various controller options, we need to know more information about your motors and position feedback.

Yes, that is as far as I got with the Trio-Tech system. The Tsumo system is a 6 degree of motion Stewart Platform and it is FAR more complex.

Actually, this is the information that I came here for. I don't have actuators, motor controllers or anything. Lets say at this point that I do have a free 2.8ghz Dell computer that has com ports and usb ports in which to use for the project.

I would say that I would like to go with a 2 seater system that can support up to 500lbs and has at least two degrees of motion (but I would like to go with 3).I have not looked too much into controllers as of yet, but it seems like the Sabertooth robotic controllers are somewhat affordable. So why don't we start there.

Thanx,

Geo

Let's start there. Sabertooth controllers are for small robots, they won't have a chance to move 500lb, unless you use multiple ones in parallel (you don't want to do that). You will need a lot of power to move it, perhaps AC motors with variable frequency drives. What is in there originally?

I looked on the Sabertooth site and they do have larger motor controllers. They do give two weight ratings though with one being a lower rated figure in the event the controller is being used in a 'Battlebot'.

It is funny that you mention AC motors as the Tsumo does use 6 3 phase 220 motors. However, the Mad Wave Theatre is using surprisingly small DC motors on a linear actuator. I guess the secret to that success is in the gearing. Each of their actuators are rated at 450lbs for a 900lb capacity on the ride. So it certainly can be done with DC motors.

From what I gather the Trio-Tech control boxes are using some kind of proprietary H-Bridge drive. The actual module is totally sealed and mounted on a heatsink. This in turn is soldered to a PCB that has the power supply and RS-232 support components mounted on it. When compared to the Tsumo, the part complement is much less and also much smaller than the Tsumo.

The Tsumo I have not fully figured out except for the fact that the motors are three phase 220 and each one has it's own control box and it works by reversing two of the three phases to reverse the motor direction. As for the communication on this unit, that is still a big ?. All the control boxes are wired to a hub and this in turn goes to a Centronics type connector on a card that is installed in the PC. It certainly doesn't seem like it is a serial hook up. It could be a parallel interface.

Geo

You have to provide as much information as possible. Take pictures, take the electronics apart, show the mechanical construction, tell us detailed voltages or power ratings, etc...

Without knowing what you are dealing with, it is very hard to recommend you electronics to use.

That is pretty much a tall order. By right I can't be just taking company property completely apart for the sake of taking pictures. I did explain the components of the system earlier in this post. Basically I am looking for what makes it all tick.

The bottom line is that both the Tsumo and Motion Theatre systems are syncing video with motion and that is what I am aiming to do. The question would be can that be done? I would say yes to that as there many systems out there that can do it. I just would like to know what would be best for me on an introductory level.

So I need to know what program to use to sync video with output data (either serially based or USB). That in turn would go to a motor controller and a couple of actuators that could support a platform that can handle 500lbs.

I need someone to throw me some brand names and program information, that is why I am here. If you feel that Sabertooth is not suitable, then what is?

I know that the first thing you would say is to go to the company (that created the ride) for details...well, I already tried that. As with most companies, they do safeguard their 'secrets' and are not willing to give them up, particularly information regarding the programming. The issue with Trio-Tech is further complicated in that the designer passed away and didn't leave behind much in terms of documentation. So that is why I am here as I have figured others have tried something like this already, or may have some good information on it.

Thank You,

Geo

Are you building one from scratch, or modifying your companies property?

The video plugin of X-Sim will take care of the pre-recorded motion for video and getting the data out.

Without you telling more about the actuators and position feedback, I have no idea what will be suitable, my guess is just as good as yours. You can go the trial and error route if you don't mind spending the time and money.

Scratch build for personal use. I only mentioned what my company has as for an example of what I am looking to do. While it may be possible to take pictures of and describe the various parts of the unit, (Meaning taking the panels off), that should be OK, but I certainly cannot take the platform apart for the sake of getting to the actuators. Also there isn't much to see under the seats. There is a control box with two drivers and there are two motor driven linear actuators. The control box gets connected to the computer via RS-232.

Interesting. What kind of data is this and how does it work?

That would be a step in the right direction. However it is only one part of the complete picture. I would also need to know how to utilize this data and send it to a serial based actuator controller. Once I get that far, I should be pretty good.

I don't know what they are using for a controller. That part is definitely proprietary. Even the drive electronics is encased in epoxy. So it does seem like this controller box is the most secretive part of the setup (in terms of hardware). The actuators themselves were name branded and are NOT made by Trio-Tech.

Perhaps if you could run down some popular actuator name brands I would recognize it. Hmmmm, perhaps one morning I could flip one of the seats back (before anyone else shows up) and get the name brand of the actuator. Would that help?

Thanx,

Geo

jukingeo

I realise the last post on this thread is over a year old but here goes anyway.
I recently aquired two Tsumo arcade system's complete with cabinet and motion seat,
my aim is to get it working with MS Flight sim once I figure out how to get the output from the game talking to the motion seat.
I could help with pictures and and wiring info if required.

that would be good.

Do you still have your.
TsuMo: Multi-Game Motion System

nice