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Tutorial SMC3 Arduino 3DOF Motor Driver and Windows Utilities

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by RufusDufus, Dec 1, 2013.

  1. LuisBranco

    LuisBranco New Member

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    @noorbeast Thank you!

    I'm using the SMC3 (mode 1) with Arduino Uno (with SMC3 code) and 4 vnh2sp30 shields (picture below). I'm using two motors to each axis (this is why I'm using 4 shields). They rotate an excentric axis and are in the back of the chair (like the picture I posted).


    My connection is working well, it's just the axis configuration that is not working properly. Picture of Interface Settings below.

    About the Dir box, I configured exactly like you said, but the blue line always goes to the same direction in SMC3 graphic. It should go to the same direction in one of them and different directions to the other (for roll and pitch), correct? And just to confirm, is that right to test Roll and Pitch separately like this?

    By the way, sometimes the SMC3 stops working (and sending rotation to the motors) while the game is running even though the CPU use is in just 9% and 2GB out of 16GB of ram being used. Is that normal?

    Thank you again, guys!

    Attached Files:

  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I don't use the code but my understanding is that it would normally be configured for Ser interface, like this: https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...-and-windows-utilities.4957/page-5#post-50249

    Have you completed the SMC3 Initial Setup steps for each motor?
  3. LuisBranco

    LuisBranco New Member

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  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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  5. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    @LuisBranco - UDP is a valid mode for SMC3 Windows Utils but requires a bit more setup and you have to run Windows SMC3Utils at all times with this mode as Simtools talks to SMC3Utils which then talks to the Arduino SMC3. Windows SMC3Utils needs the "UDP pass through" radio button checked.

    Also make sure you have edited the SMC3Utils.ini file to select the correct comm port for your Arduino.

    If you use a Serial interface from Simtools then you have to shutdown Windows SMC3Utils as Simtools talks directly to Arduino SMC3 and they cant both access the same comm port at the same time.

    If you say the motors are moving when you move the Simtools sliders then I would guess you have it connected correctly.

    If Simtools is moving the motors just in the wrong direction then I still think your problem is you need to be changing the "Default" profile in Simtools to see changes when using Simtools Output testing sliders. You appear to be changing the profile for a game which has no effect on the output testing. Think of output testing as another game that needs configuring.
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  6. LuisBranco

    LuisBranco New Member

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    @RufusDufus @noorbeast

    Aboust the "Default" configuration, RufusDufus, I've already tested that using SMC3 graphics, but I'm gonna try using the actuators right now!

    And abot the connection, I'll change to "Ser" and test, then I tell you the results!

    Thank you guys!
  7. LuisBranco

    LuisBranco New Member

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    So guys, I tried what you said.

    I changed the connection to "Ser" and used the "Default" configuration

    First I tested the Roll (configured as pic "Roll" and tested the axis like pics "Roll2" and "Roll3"), and the result (pics "Simulator1" and "Simulator2" of my simulator) was right (as it already was for Roll)

    Then I changed the default settings to test the Pitch (configured as pic "Pitch" and tested the axis like pics "Pitch1" and "Pitch2"), but the result was absolutely the same as before (left and right instead of foward and backward).

    I also tried some different configurations of the "Dir" checkbox, but the result was always the same. It looks like this checkbox is not making any difference.

    Do you guys have any ideia of why?

    Thank you!

    Attached Files:

  8. bruce stephen

    bruce stephen Hammer doesnt fix it, must be electrical

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    set each effect you want in the of columns for axis 1 and 2. Example: dof 1=pitch, dof 2=roll etc. Then use "dof output" for testing. Also be sure to hit save after changing settings.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. bruce stephen

    bruce stephen Hammer doesnt fix it, must be electrical

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    dof example.jpg
    like this but just use axis 1 and 2
  10. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    @LuisBranco ... you stated before that one of the motors will be pich and the second will be roll ... where from your sim pictures they are both mounted to the same equivalent opposite points of the sides ... that changes everything .

    And by that now ... they both should do the same axis assignment job for pitch with the same direction PLUS the same axis assignment job with a REVERSED direction for roll .

    Untitled.jpg

    A different angle of view for your motors mounting points would be better please .
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
  11. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    @LuisBranco your latest screenshots show that output testing is in "Axis mode". In this mode the slider directly moves the axis motor, the profile has no effect. Have you tested in DOF mode? (change the dropdown box in Output testing mode)
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  12. bruce stephen

    bruce stephen Hammer doesnt fix it, must be electrical

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    x2.jpg
    this is where you test each effect.
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    Last edited: Aug 21, 2016
  13. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    @moaale Version 1.01 SMC3Utils and 0.63 SMC3 are compatable - OK.

    If Motor 1 moves when driving Motor 2 then it is probably a wiring issue. Make sure there is a POT connected to both inputs or the unconnected input will pickup noise from the adjacent one.
  14. bruce stephen

    bruce stephen Hammer doesnt fix it, must be electrical

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    so then the pots still goes to A0=motor 1, A1=motor 2 on the ard
    EDIT: analog inputs
  15. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    @moaale Your diagram has the POTs wired wrong. They should be on A0 and A1. You have them on A4 and A5.
    upload_2016-8-24_8-7-55.png
    • Informative Informative x 1
  16. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    It is difficult to understand from google translate what is the problem. Perhaps a video might help?
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  17. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    Yes that motor driver is supported and will work - use default MODE1.

    You have the wiring a bit mixed up. You have connected to the motor 2 and 3 on the arduino and your PWM signals are wrong. You would need to connect POTs to motor 2 and 3.
    upload_2016-8-25_9-0-36.png
    ----

    If you want to use as motor 1 and 2:
    upload_2016-8-25_8-51-56.png
    • Informative Informative x 1
  18. RufusDufus

    RufusDufus Well-Known Member

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    This may help those doing there own wiring diagrams.

    SMC3Pinout.JPG
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2016
  19. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

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    Nobody of us can offer the "best" settings, with time and experience you will find them for your simulator.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  20. Enrique.Rolon

    Enrique.Rolon New Member

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    Que pasa? no te arrancan lo motores? porque el tema de calibracon del SImUtility depende mucho de los tipos de motores, potenciometros, ruidos en los cables, etc. Es mucho prueba y error hasta que el simulador se mueve como vos queres


    Moderator Edit:

    What happens? do not tear the engines? because the issue of calibracon the SImUtility depends heavily on the types of motors, potentiometers, noise cables , etc. It is much trial and error until the simulator moves as you you want
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2016