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smc versus simtools

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by jarena, Apr 21, 2024.

  1. jarena

    jarena Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi guys,

    Quick question do I need to put some settings in SMC before I shut it down and then go to simtool game engine and put the axis, the role, the pitch? or just go to the simtool and put the info need to and then start the game manager?
    jarena, Apr 21, 2024
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    SMC3 is a tool to configure the Arduino settings for the hardware used and must be fully refined and working as expected before messing with SimTools.
    noorbeast, Apr 22, 2024
    #2
  3. jarena

    jarena Member Gold Contributor

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    ok tha noorbeast, so what settings should i put to start and test with, to after move over to simtools? I did the basic in SMC3 to test the motor and everything works.
    jarena, Apr 22, 2024
    #3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    noorbeast, Apr 22, 2024
    #4
  5. jarena

    jarena Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi,

    I see what you sent me and have read the thread, but it doesn't tell me what settings I should put in each field in SMC3 as a starting point.

    Also do I understand correctly is that the settings that I enter in SMC3 I then need to hit save for each motor and ounce that is done. then I shut down SMC3 and then start simtools and enter the pitch and roll % is this correct?
    jarena, Apr 23, 2024
    #5
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    +10,902 / 54 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    As per the SMC3 post:

    Initial Setup

    I strongly recommend you follow the steps below if this is the first time you are using SMC3 with your simulator to reduce the risk of damaging anything.

    1. Disconnect the motor power supply
    2. Make sure Simtools is not running – we’re not ready for that yet!
    3. Wire up the Arduino (with SMC3 installed) to your H-Bridges and connect to your computer via USB
    4. Run the Windows SMC3 Utility software and make sure it communicates with the Arduino (There is no need to set baud rates, they are not configurable)
    5. Set the Kp, Ki, Kd, PWMmin, PWMmax, PWMrev to 0 for ALL motors (This will make sure the motors don’t move)
    6. Set Clip to 255 (you need to do this first) and Limit to 255 (This will give you plenty of margin if something goes wrong while setting up)
    7. Turn on the power to your motors – nothing should move at this stage!
    8. Set Kp to about 400
    9. Now slowly, increase PWMmax… at some point the motor should start to move. When it does check the “Green” feedback line is moving toward the “Blue” target position.
      • If it is then that motor and feedback is wired correctly - proceed to test other motors.
      • If it is moving away turn off motor power immediately (or quickly reduce PWMmax again). In this case you need to either reverse the wires to the motor being tested –OR– reverse the +5V and GND wires to your feedback pot for the motor being tested (do not do both). Restart the test from the beginning.
    10. Do the above for each motor

    After that there is the process of refining the SMC3 control settings, it is not just a question of popping in some random numbers that work for everything: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...on-simulation-control-basics-how-it-works.38/

    While written with other control hardware in mind here is a gentle introduction to PID, which also includes links to more hard core and hence accurate depictions: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/a-laymans-analogy-guide-to-pids-pid-tuning.219/

    Once the control hardware is sorted it is then time to set up SimTools.

    First grab a copy of the applicable SimTools manual and keep it handy for reference -

    v2: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/rtfm-start-with-the-official-simtools-documentation.117/

    v3: https://simtools.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SimTools-v3.pdf

    Then see the motion profile tuning tips in the FAQs: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/steps-to-create-a-motion-profile.228/

    Make sure the axis move as expected, doing one axis at a time: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/which-way-to-set-simtool-axis-movements.230/

    Again refining a SimTools motion profile takes time, experimentation an ultimately experience to get the best motion possible from a game tailored to the preferences of a particular user.
    noorbeast, Apr 23, 2024
    #6