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Question SMC3 Testing

Discussion in 'SimTools DIY Version' started by Paul Shortland, Mar 30, 2019.

  1. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor
    Hi,

    After a year offline I am trying to get my sim working again. It is a 2DOF Simukit running an Arduino Uno and a sabretooth 2x32.

    ###################################################

    Simulator

    1. Commercial or DIY: DIY
    2. DOF (Number of axles ): 2
    3. Actuators (DIY, SCN5 etc.): Truck Wipers
    4. Interface (Arduino, SCN, Mega, DIY etc. ): Arduino Uno

    SimTools

    1. Version Number: 2.3.1
    2. Game Plugin where the error is happening: Not got that far yet
    3. Settings (Relevant settings) Pics below
    ###################################################

    I have followed the instructions in this thread...
    https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...ket-serial-pid-motor-driver-w-softstart.9277/

    and the testing worked OK in SMC3, the motors moved when I raised PWMmax to 40. I then tried it with Simtools and got nothing so I went back to SMC3 but the on/off button wont stay set to on anymore.

    SMC3.jpg
    This is my SMC3 screen. Whenever I click 'On' for any motor it immediately returns to 'off'.

    Any ideas?

    Also any ideas on why the Simtools does nothing? So far I...
    Opened the firewall for it.
    Rebuilt the .net install
    Tweaked the baud rate to every number known to man

    settings are...
    ST1.png
    ST2.png
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2019
    Paul Shortland, Mar 30, 2019
    #1
  2. MarkusB

    MarkusB Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Usually the reason for SMC3 to turn the motors off is that the potentiometer has exceeded its max or min value. This is a measure for protecting the mechanical setup.
    Try to manually move the motors back into their neutral position. After this, SMC3 should keep the motors on again.
    • Creative Creative x 1
    MarkusB, Mar 30, 2019
    #2
  3. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    Ah that indeed gets SMC3 working again. I think I will need to do some more SMC3 research though as have little idea on what the settings should be :(
    Paul Shortland, Mar 30, 2019
    #3
  4. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor
    Actually the problem seems to be the motors just spin 360 degrees and then cut out when the pot limit is reached. Every time it does it and I manually move the pot, the motor spins the same way again until it cuts out.

    Odd.

    Anybody got a hint?
    Paul Shortland, Mar 30, 2019
    #4
  5. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    Try reversing the motor direction by swapping motor leads.
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    BlazinH, Mar 30, 2019
    #5
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Your Interface Output Settings need to be updated for SimTools 2. Instead of axis defined like this <Axis1> it now has designate grouping for a or b in SimTools 2 for each axis assignment, like this <Axis1a>

    When using SMC2 the BitsPerSec would normally be 500000.
    • Like Like x 2
    noorbeast, Mar 31, 2019
    #6
  7. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    Thanks both. I ran out of time this weekend so will be back on the mission next Saturday :)
    Paul Shortland, Mar 31, 2019
    #7
  8. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor
    Back at it tonight with large success but not quite 100% :)

    I have the sim being controlled by SMC3 and both motors behave as expected, except I can't stop them moving without shutting down SMC3.

    If I then try using Sim Tools then nothing happens so I guess something in the set up is wrong for SMC3 and Sim Tools.

    My settings are below and it would be awesome if anyone knows what I am doing wrong :sos

    smc3_.png
    interface.png
    axis.png
    Paul Shortland, Apr 3, 2019
    #8
  9. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Turns out the issue was just I had the pot sensors wired the wrong way round, we move onwards to SimTools!
    Paul Shortland, Apr 5, 2019
    #9
  10. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    Reversing the motor leads as suggested has the same effect SMC3 Testing. When using hall effect pots reversing the motor leads is the only way.

    You could have saved yourself some time too.
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2019
    BlazinH, Apr 5, 2019
    #10
  11. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

    Joined:
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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor
    Luckily it was just a push pin swap on the Arduino, the delay was having to work a lot :(

    I now have SimTools running in test mode, that was being blocked by my firewall.

    Today's job, link the 2 PC's and get Project Cars to drive the sim. Nearly done now :)
    • Like Like x 1
    Paul Shortland, Apr 6, 2019
    #11
  12. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Gave up with Project Cars and bought Project Cars 2, works fine :)
    • Like Like x 1
    Paul Shortland, Apr 6, 2019
    #12
  13. Paul Shortland

    Paul Shortland Active Member

    Joined:
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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, AC motor
    Been doing some driving and it all 'works' but needs tuning as expected. Is there a decent set of starter settings for SMC3 and Axis for a 2DOF set up? Driving myself crazy reading loads of posts to try to find something :confused:
    Paul Shortland, Apr 20, 2019
    #13