Need help building simulator

Hello, people!

I'm new on this. I came to here trough a search on Google and the first homemade simulator I saw was from bleco. This post:
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/blecos-2dof-scn5-racing-simulator.2625/

I like it very much. It has great quality finishes, it's simple and works like I want to. The only part I'm interested is the electronics.

For all the body, I have my own ideas. Some mix of this:

and this:

Since bleco is not seen here by 3 years ago and I can't contact him, I would ask help from somebody to help me building my won simulator.

As I said before, I just need help with the electronic components. I'm confused and I don't want to buy unnecessary nor wrong items because some of them would not be easy to find here.

So... looking on some examples of construction, I saw some with 1x arduino, others with 2x arduino and even others with 3x arduino. It looks like bleco has used 2x arduino on his build, at least according to this:
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/complete-scn5s-connexion-kit.3707/#post-89020
But I don't understand why and if is it really necessary more than one arduino.

Also, I saw some guys using a second (weak/low cost) computer to 'process' the data from the computer. Is that second computer really needed? Does it make sense to who has a powerful computer?
My PC specs: Intel Core i7-6700K, 16GB RAM, GeForce GTX970 4GB, 240GB SSD, 2TB RAID 0.

My intention is to have 2x actuators on the seat. It looks like bleco's simulator actuators are a little slow than the used on the CXC... and also that CXC actuators don't have much course/length than bleco's. I don't want mine to stretch too much... and would like them to have a rapid response/reaction.

So... what do I need?

I would appreciate someone could tell me some like "you need to buy 2x 'these actuators', x 'this arduino', x 'this board', x ' this power supply', x 'cables'... and what more would be necessary. Also the specials specs of each components, so I could find alternatives brands/models to them. If someone would think I should avoid something, please tell me that to.


Thanks for any help!

noorbeast,

Thank you for your response!

I was hopping someone could tell me a few exemples of choise for the construction, instead of directing to other sites/topics.

I know I need 2x Actuators and 1x Power Supply... my doubt is on the rest of the electronics.

But I found this topic http://www.xsimulator.net/simtools-quickstart/
It shows very clear how to configure the software... and, on the steps, it talks about 2 diferente types of communication between the Simulator and the Actuators. It shows the 'Arduino' solution and the 'JRK interface' solution. But I've also read about RS485 and RS232 to USB converter... which looks like the 'JRK interface'.

I think you know (by the samples I gave on my first post) that I want to use SCN5 actuators (or SCN6, depending on which is better).
Reading the link above, I may think I can choose between 'Arduino' or 'JRK interface' (or even RS485, if so).

So... please... tell me the pros and cons of each... and tell me for which should I choose (or what would you choose if you were me).
Also, post me links to them on the ebay.

I'm getting there, but this is all new to me and and don't want to waste unwanted Money buying wrong componentes.

So... Please, please! Spend a few minutes with my case and answer the more clear as possible.

Or you could point me someone who as a Simulator like the one I want and I could try to talk to him...

One more thing:
What is the meaning of 2DOF, 3DOF and so on?


Thank you!

Just quickly. A SCN kit which is probably the easier to set up , you could buy with advice from @nclabs as he has experience with this. SCN shoulder seat mover is usually sold with a RS485 ( I think) adaptor. Overall it costs more than DC motors and JRK or Arduino and motor drivers but for simplicity , they are good.
As for quickstart , forget it until yoy know what setup you are going to use.

Back to other options , large 200w DC motors and JRKS are the next option , of course it requires work done by yourself. JRKS do not require coding and are reliable and fast.
If you want to save a dollar , you can use Arduino and Motor drivers with existing codes and also help from Ard people here with sorting codes. Just buy decemtvArd and good motor drivers as the cheap ones seem to nuke.
And as for frame design , have a th8nk about what you want. With SCN , DC motors , shoulder mount seat mover will do this fine.

CXC sims I think use SCN6 actuators fir overall strength. But again , not 100% sure.
I will look more into answers for you later. Im out currently and not near my pc.
Cheers , Dave .

@noorbeast ,

@xikilin said "I was hopping someone could tell me a few exemples of choise for the construction, instead of directing to other sites/topics."

@xikilin , ok, sorry, got side tracked.
With a frame, depends if you want to make your own, or buy a kit. Theres plenty of options building your own, have a dig through the project threads.
With SCNs , there would be a kit or sorts where you buy the actuators, power supply and connection board/cables , as said, @nclabs would be best to advise you.
With DC motors, theres several options.
The overall good choice is a 12v 200 watt 25:1 gearbox worm drive motor. Not 100% where you could find them in Portugal , heres a general USA link http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEAR-MOTOR-...992384?hash=item51bd392f00:g:nOwAAOSwPhdVCxQg
However, you need to make up a few things for it, you would need a bolt through the shaft, a suitable length lever on the end of 50mm CTC long. You would need to hunt up rod ends, various brackets to mount the motors , mount a pot on the back for feedback, something like this using a hole in the back of the motor shaft and tap a grub screw into it to hold the shaft
length of wire shown . you can see the lever this side
For motor control, if you want to save some money, but have the possible hassle of code re-writing and adjustment, then Arduino and Monster Moto drivers. As I do not use them, maybe @Pit can advise there.
On the other side, if you dont mind spending a few quid, the use the Pololu JRK 12v12 https://www.pololu.com/product/1393 , no code to write and an easy utility program for it, to set motor power and PID. they will run 12v at 30 amps continuous all day with a heatsink on the big chip and fan cooling.
Power supplies can be modified server PSU, LED PSU , or a good old car battery.
Examples of builds.
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/diy-2dof-seat-mover-with-big-motors.4683/
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/actuator-2-dof-seat-mover.5065/
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/2-dof-dc-foot-motor-mount-sim.7308/
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/desk-racer-2dof.5326/ (this is what noorbeast based his build from)
Cheers, David.

Hello, David!

Many thanks for your response!

I've been a little ocupied with work, so couldn't get here soon.

When I was posting for first time I didn't know much about the materials needed for constructing a simulator... but fast I realized it is expensive material.

I found a friend who as some knowledge on Arduino and Drivers... so he will be a big help for me.

Well... since the linear actuators are really expensive (even simple), I think I'll go with the motors. I'm still searching suppliers inside Europe and I think I found some:
http://www.motioncontrolproducts.com/
http://www.motioncontrolproducts.com/motors/pmdc-brushed-motors-and-geared-motors.php?cat=1
http://www.motioncontrolproducts.com/gearbox/worm-wheel-gearbox.php?cat=6

Do you know if these products would be fine for building a simulator?

A few days ago I found a simulator built with that kind of motors. But I don't know were, so I'll try to find it and I'll post here back... so you can tell me what you think.


Once more, thank you... and I'll be back soon!

@xikilin , yes those motors are fine to use. I think people here have used their products before in the past.
If you think building a motion sim is expensive, then go price a shop bought one then.