Showroom Smitty's Rotary Servo 6DOF build (Complete!)

attached!

Do you have a link to the Motors you used? Watched the Video and it looked violent. I like it

It can be frightening... I wouldn't get on it without 5 point seat belt...

motors: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832657924811.html
gearbox:https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832781256249.html

Does flypt support this rocker structure? I'm thinking again about whether FLYPT supports DC motors. I'm currently using DC motors, and I use simtools. I think it's quite easy to use. I want to try flypt when I have time.

Projects are never really done, right?

I never liked the brakes on the TPR's, so I converted them to load cells like many high-end sim racing pedals. I found some 30kg load cells on amazon and drew up some bracketry to make a unit the same size as the original TPR brake units. They have a little bit on free compression and then hard rubber insides so that they get very firm and braking is controlled by pressure, not position.

I needed some loadcell amplifiers (got from Leo Bodnar) and i used a arduino Leonardo that i had from my old DIY joystick and discovered that it all fit right into the stock TPR electronics enclosure in the back. Wonderful upgrade!

Hi Smitty. Thank you for sharing your project. I think you inspired many people. I build my rotary platform and I am struggling with flypt profile. I saw your video on YouTube and want to ask if you can share your profile for NoLimit, DirtRally2, and ACC. I used your BeamNG.drive profile from Thanos Discord, and it looks good. Thank you.

heres all my latest mover files. dirt2 is quite old though, i dont play it much

Thank you so much!!! I appreciate it.

Github links for TPR force feedback & loadcell brakes:

https://github.com/smitty97/Force-Feedback-TPR
https://github.com/smitty97/Load-Cell-Brakes-TPR

I fear I have accidentally skipped this thread because I was looking for linear actuator platforms at the beginning. I thought rotary actuators are only used for cheap wheelchair or windscreen wiper motors. But yours looks really professional!
I also love the force feedback stick and rudder pedals. I think this topic deserves a seperate thread...

Collective too! I guess that makes it 10DOF

Luckily this thread shows up in a search for "force feedback"

Some maneuvers in MSFS in a Super Decathlon, which i helped tune the flight model for

Hi Smitty, I want to build a rig like yours. Do you might have a photo or drawing of your rig in the position when it's switched off? I want to understand how/where the platform rests (and see if there is enough room for adding the controller onto the base plate). Thank you for your help.

here's the clearance at full down position


yes, you could fit the servo drives between the servos, and many have done just that. I chose to put them in a cabinet so my hands arent near moving machinery when adjusting the servo drive parameters! also this keeps the AC voltage away from the rig. Also, unless you special order short servo cables, you will have lots of cabling to hide under the base. I wonder if having the drives and the thanos controller in a separate metal box helps with electrical shielding, as i havent had any weird issues from that like others have.

Thank you very much for your swift reply, your insights, and for sharing the drawing in the fully lowered position—it was incredibly helpful.

The ceiling height in my room is quite limited. I’m considering not mounting the servo drives directly onto the base plate and wondering if, by doing so, I could reduce the length of the yellow bars by approximately 100mm to lower the fully down position without sacrificing any range of motion. Would this adjustment be feasible?

possibly, youd have to model that and check for interference. another option is to sink down the seat, footplate and monitor mount 100mm lower.

I must admit that I’ve been greatly inspired by your 6DOF motion platform build, and I’m considering using your design as a basis for my project. However, due to my limited budget, I’m exploring the possibility of starting with a 3DOF configuration.

Specifically, I’d like to know:

1. Would it be feasible to modify your design to work with just three motors in a 120-degree arrangement?
2. I plan to use the same components you specified (e.g., 750W AC servos and 50:1 gearboxes). Do you think they would still function effectively in a reduced 3DOF setup?
3. My idea is to later upgrade by adding the remaining three motors, modifying the baseplate, and adjusting the cockpit fixtures. Does this approach sound practical?

Your advice would be invaluable as I plan this build. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

BTW: Where did you find the CAD model of the gearbox?

3DOF is very different - you can't just remove 3 motors and go from there. even removing 1 link from a 6DOF will make the whole thing collapse.

So, you have to decide which 3 you want. Then, you must restrict movement on the other 3. If you want roll pitch and heave, which can be done by 3 in a 120 arrangement, then those links must be designed in a way so that they only move in a straight line, i think there was someone on here who built a motorcycle rig and the movement is restricted on the axes. If you want roll pitch and yaw, then its a completely different arrangement with possibly a U-joint under the seat and the 3rd yaw axis moves everything back and forth

In all, itll be a very different machine.

i think i got the gearbox from grabcad but had to modify according to the numbers on aliexpress