The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

[sjb266]

Hey guys. Thought I’d create a thread for those taking the plunge into this brilliant DIY project..
I will be starting mine soon and I know there are others thinking about it.. so feel free to share your knowledge and experiences so we can all enjoy this platform to its full potential. A huge thanks to the developers who have really knocked this one out of the park!

Website: https://opensfx.com/2019/02/20/welcome-to-our-new-site/

Github: https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki

For all the internals for the actuator contact Amy - skye@ntl-bearing.com
She can supply everything you need. Just remind her you want the ends of the shafts chamfered and make sure she sends the right sized ball screw - we have had a couple of issues reported. She is very helpful though and the cost is pretty good.


Huge thanks to @RowanH for writing a comprehensive user guide which can be accessed here - https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

In addition, @anton_Chez has contributed a list of post numbers for some of the important settings etc..
Post #320 SFX-100 thread
Post #327 SFX-100 thread for Discord correlation
Post #339 SFX-100 thread
Post #418 SFX-100 thread
Post #424 SFX-100 thread
Post #439 SFX-100 thread
Post #449 SFX-100 thread
Post #517 SFX-100 thread
Post #554 SFX-100 thread
Post #580 SFX-100 thread
Post #826 SFX-100 thread
Post #837 SFX-100 thread
Post #864,866,867,868,870,887,889,897 SFX-100 thread
Post #911,914 SFX-100 thread
Post #988,992,998 SFX-100 thread
Post #1147 SFX-100 thread
Post #1492 SFX-100 thread
Post #1511,1517 SFX-100 thread

I will try to keep this page updated with links to source the parts in other parts of the world. Just post whatever links you have and i'll add them here.

Please note: Not all the parts listed below are essential for the project. For the essential parts refer to the original shopping list.

Australia:

• O-Ring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kit-419Pcs-O-Ring-O-Ring-Black-Rubber-32-Sizes-With-Case-3-50mm-W8D7/223152697816?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Sub breakout board - DB25 25pin Female Adapter RS-232 Serial Terminal Module Breakout Board Connector
• Emergency Stop - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reliable-Emergency-Stop-Push-Button-Box-600V-Switch-for-Elevator/192115082001?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Arduino Wiring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-pcs-Dupont-Cable-20cm-Jumper-Wire-for-Arduino-RPi-breadboard-AU-Stock/202436863098?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=502467628096&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Breadboard - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Solderless-Breadboard-400-Contacts-Tie-points-Universal-Available-New-lemon/123145741183?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Dub Cable - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-D...h=item3f6ace6403:g:038AAOSw9mpaSsU2:rk:1:pf:0
• Screw Shield for Arduino Leonardo - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Scr...h=item25a9d471a4:g:5BgAAOSwraJbc9rC:rk:1:pf:0
• Arduino Leonardo Replica - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIY-Eduino-Leonardo-Module-with-USB-Cable-for-Arduino-ATMEGA32U4-Blue-Black/132719951279?epid=916281063&hash=item1ee6b9bdaf:g:2QUAAOSw5iNbWv6b:rk:123f:

Thanks to @AussieSim for the following links:

10A power lead(s) * 4
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2m-black-mains-extension-lead/p/PS4152

Top quality wire stripper
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/boxo-cutws205-multifunction-wire-stripper

RCD/safety switch power block
https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-heavy-duty-portable-safety-switch_p4420028

WD-40 lithium grease for the ball screws
https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-300g-high-performance-white-lithium-grease_p6100408

Vibration pads
https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-on-site-100-x-12-5mm-rubber-anti-vibration-mat-4-pack_p3961547

WD-40 Dry PTFE spray for the slider (free shipping)
https://au.rs-online.com/mobile/p/lubricants/7577134/

Arduino Leonardo (free shipping + frequent 10-15% off discount)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/a000057/arduino-corporation

DB25 cables * 4 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/ak401-2/assmann-wsw-components-inc

PETG * 3 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/petg17bk1/mg-chemicals

WAGO-like connectors to avoid a breadboard (perhaps use genuine ones if you are doing 240V AC)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32906719488.html

D-Sub breakout boards * 4
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32297675967.html

3D printer Creality Ender-3 Pro
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32918302452.html

Wires from Arduino to D-Sub breakout (remove black plastic from the WAGO end)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32887680826.html

Crimp connectors for AC wire leads
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813550981.html

 

[MADShootStuff]

Finally got a response from DHL Paket:
---------------------
thank you for your message.

We tracked your shipment number and noticed, that the parcel is overdue by now.

In order to clarify the current status, please contact your sender in Germany. He has the opportunity to request for an investigation.
---------------------
I'd sent a message on the 16th requesting that they contact DHL and I've forwarded DHLs reply this morning and asked again...

It's killing me but it'll get worked out eventually...

Living vicariously through you guys until then!

 

[BluePotato00]

We hit 100 pages of SFX-100 / SimFeedback discussion!

I'm both ashamed and proud that I've read every single post here. Thanks to everybody that got me up and running.

Sorry about the delay, @MADShootStuff. I empathize.

 

[MADShootStuff]

We hit 100 pages of SFX-100 / SimFeedback discussion!

I'm both ashamed and proud that I've read every single post here. Thanks to everybody that got me up and running.

Sorry about the delay, @MADShootStuff. I empathize.

And coming up on 2k posts.

I think I started reading around page 12 - I cant imagine starting now and trying to absorb all of this at once!

@saxxon66 really put together great instructions on the wiki though - and everyone else here has been great regarding any questions.

Aside from my whah whahs (printing in this stringy PETG and this waiting on the last package) this has been a great experience!

 

[Moxley6969]

SO how would you run a RTL actuator? A second Arduino? can the software handle that?

Simtools is your answer.

 

[saxxon66]

SO how would you run a RTL actuator? A second Arduino? can the software handle that?

I don't.
We have a type of traction loss that tilts you to simulate the feeling the rear breaking lose.
It works pretty convincing.

The problem with rear traction loss is what you only feel the acceleration not the amount of travel distance.
So you need hard acceleration with slow motion coming back.

SimFeedback is a fixed, specialized System for 4 actuators to simulate a race car.
It is not a construction kit like others.

I hear all the voices calling for traction loss and additional effects.
But it is not easy to keep the specialisation and support a wider range of effects.
Let's see what the future will bring.

 

[BluePotato00]

I suffered badly from VR sickness when first getting my Rift and using it for sim racing a couple years ago. At first I felt so sick that even the idea of racing with it made me feel dread. It took a couple months of short spurts but I progressed from not being able to finish a lap to the point now where I could complete an hour race with no ill-effects and I'm sure I could race beyond that if I wanted to. I love it and I'm glad I stuck with it, because it's so realistic and rewarding.

Since finishing my build and install 3 days ago, I've probably driven 2 hours so far (had overnight travel over the weekend, so not as much time as I'd hoped).

The feeling is AMAZING, but I'm suffering the same effects I had when I first started with VR (although nowhere near as bad). I'm sure I can get over it with the same approach as before: Drive until I start to feel a little uneasy and quit immediately. Return when I'm feeling better and over time I'll be able to drive for longer and longer stretches.

I've noticed that the more violent and jerky the car is (e.g. Dallara F3 with the iRacing Formula preset found on Discord or DTM with the RaceRoom DTM preset also found on Discord), the better I feel. When the suspension feels bouncy, or the car feels like it's swaying, I get uneasy more quickly.

My sensor is currently fixed (doesn't move with the motion rig) and I haven't yet experimented with mounting it to my moving rig (and I'm not sure it would have much impact on the motion . I haven't done that since I figured mounting it to the moving rig would introduce extra vibrations to the sensor.

 

[Talkwrench]

(Still no response or even an acknowledgment from Kinetic, BTW. I've still no idea whether they realise I've paid for the goods).

I had the same thing despite numerous attempts to confirm they'd received my money, before you know it received an email from DHL with tracking info

 

[C64]

I suffered badly from VR sickness when first getting my Rift and using it for sim racing a couple years ago. At first I felt so sick that even the idea of racing with it made me feel dread. It took a couple months of short spurts but I progressed from not being able to finish a lap to the point now where I could complete an hour race with no ill-effects and I'm sure I could race beyond that if I wanted to. I love it and I'm glad I stuck with it, because it's so realistic and rewarding.

Since finishing my build and install 3 days ago, I've probably driven 2 hours so far (had overnight travel over the weekend, so not as much time as I'd hoped).

The feeling is AMAZING, but I'm suffering the same effects I had when I first started with VR (although nowhere near as bad). I'm sure I can get over it with the same approach as before: Drive until I start to feel a little uneasy and quit immediately. Return when I'm feeling better and over time I'll be able to drive for longer and longer stretches.

I've noticed that the more violent and jerky the car is (e.g. Dallara F3 with the iRacing Formula preset found on Discord or DTM with the RaceRoom DTM preset also found on Discord), the better I feel. When the suspension feels bouncy, or the car feels like it's swaying, I get uneasy more quickly.

My sensor is currently fixed (doesn't move with the motion rig) and I haven't yet experimented with mounting it to my moving rig (and I'm not sure it would have much impact on the motion . I haven't done that since I figured mounting it to the moving rig would introduce extra vibrations to the sensor.

I mounted my rift sensor on my rig with a big blob of bluetak - as a fixing it works very well, it will allow you to do a quick and dirty test. My impression of the rift on the rig was less unwanted motion - just felt better. The beauty of bluetak is it will absorb a lot of high frequency stuff. There is a dampening setting in the servo controllers that is set to 30... apparently you can wind it back as far as 22 to give a harsher response - may help you some more. I think your approach to conditioning yourself to this new set of simulated motions is the right one - it worked for you in the past, I would be surprised if it didn't work again.

 

[sjb266]

I suffered badly from VR sickness when first getting my Rift and using it for sim racing a couple years ago. At first I felt so sick that even the idea of racing with it made me feel dread.

The feeling is AMAZING, but I'm suffering the same effects I had when I first started with VR (although nowhere near as bad). I'm sure I can get over it with the same approach as before.

My sensor is currently fixed (doesn't move with the motion rig) and I haven't yet experimented with mounting it to my moving rig (and I'm not sure it would have much impact on the motion . I haven't done that since I figured mounting it to the moving rig would introduce extra vibrations to the sensor.

Yes mounting the sensor on the rig will make a massive difference. Try it ASAP. Hopefully this will help your nausea.. there’s nothing worse!

This raises another point.. call me crazy but I think I am getting over the full platform motion... to the point where I really have to be in the mood and tend to avoid using it most of the time. I’ve been using my other triples rig and my Xbox rig more than ever lately.

I think it just takes some of the relaxing pleasure out of driving for me.. nothing to do with the system and implementation of course, which is amazing, it just takes a lot out of me to do several laps full motion.

Of course I think some of this has to do with the fact I have 3 boys under 5 years old and my whole life is basically a motion rig using one of Henk’s @HoiHman profiles!!

 

[HugoB]

Yes mounting the sensor on the rig will make a massive difference. Try it ASAP. Hopefully this will help your nausea.. there’s nothing worse!

This raises another point.. call me crazy but I think I am getting over the full platform motion... to the point where I really have to be in the mood and tend to avoid using it most of the time. I’ve been using my other triples rig and my Xbox rig more than ever lately.

I think it just takes some of the relaxing pleasure out of driving for me.. nothing to do with the system and implementation of course, which is amazing, it just takes a lot out of me to do several laps full motion.

Of course I think some of this has to do with the fact I have 3 boys under 5 years old and my whole life is basically a motion rig using one of Henk’s @HoiHman profiles!!

For me it’s the other way round Since getting the SFX100’s, when I’m away from my rig I’m thinking about what car/track combo I’m going to try next and when I’m on my rig I want to race forever! Thankfully virtual fuel is for free, so I load up my car and drive, drive, drive

 

[Talkwrench]

You guys are killing me, I can't wait to experience this! I am still waiting for my parcel from Emily, I have the servo's, ball screws & profiles sat here, I just started 3D printing tonight! First ever part is the lower linear bearing mount, so far so good and I am mesmerised by the CR10S doing its thing. I've had to literally start from scratch, I even had to decorate the SFX100 playroom (old nursery room) Now that's done and the printer is running, next job order the chassis parts from Motedis and the server cabinet for the electrical build before I have to start renovating one of the bathrooms

 

[anton_Chez]

Just a quick question to everyone up and running while I am in testing mode. Does anyone make use of the rumble and RPM effects of the actuators? I was testing them out this morning before shooting off the work late and I am not sure what to make of it. I did have an issue where I turned all the other effects off and only ran the rumble settings and the actuators would turn off and lower themselves after a minute or two of running the AI driver. I wonder if not running the motion as intended is not recommended and the motors hit their safety limit operating solely as tactile based units? It could be a problem elsewhere on my end but this is the first time I've experienced this and last night I was driving for hours with no issue.

I have Buttkicker Mini LFE's for engine and I don't run any bump effects at all in Simhub for my tactile units. I wanted to compare which felt better. I haven't sat in the seat with it yet. Just wanted to get some thoughts on both whether anyone is using them and also how do you find them if you are.

My thoughts on the V3 + SFX-100 combo to follow....

 

[sjb266]

Yeah rumble has it's place in some circumstances....depends on the car/track combo... but I reserve RPM for the Auras..

 

[sjb266]

For me it’s the other way round Since getting the SFX100’s, when I’m away from my rig I’m thinking about what car/track combo I’m going to try next and when I’m on my rig I want to race forever! Thankfully virtual fuel is for free, so I load up my car and drive, drive, drive

Maybe i'd be better off with these - along with a healthy dose of the real thing!

 

[GEEDOGG]

Just a quick question to everyone up and running while I am in testing mode. Does anyone make use of the rumble and RPM effects of the actuators? I was testing them out this morning before shooting off the work late and I am not sure what to make of it. I did have an issue where I turned all the other effects off and only ran the rumble settings and the actuators would turn off and lower themselves after a minute or two of running the AI driver. I wonder if not running the motion as intended is not recommended and the motors hit their safety limit operating solely as tactile based units? It could be a problem elsewhere on my end but this is the first time I've experienced this and last night I was driving for hours with no issue.

I have Buttkicker Mini LFE's for engine and I don't run any bump effects at all in Simhub for my tactile units. I wanted to compare which felt better. I haven't sat in the seat with it yet. Just wanted to get some thoughts on both whether anyone is using them and also how do you find them if you are.

My thoughts on the V3 + SFX-100 combo to follow....

The same thing happens to me when I'm tuning a setup and only have actuator rumble or one of the actuator options checked. After a minute or two it lowers the actuators to the home position I'm not sure why that is but everything is fine once you check one of the other options.

 

[Ringorian]

IT needs Motion otherwise IT runs in a timeout .. and parks

 

[Insert Coin]

I suffered badly from VR sickness when first getting my Rift and using it for sim racing a couple years ago. At first I felt so sick that even the idea of racing with it made me feel dread. It took a couple months of short spurts but I progressed from not being able to finish a lap to the point now where I could complete an hour race with no ill-effects and I'm sure I could race beyond that if I wanted to. I love it and I'm glad I stuck with it, because it's so realistic and rewarding.

Since finishing my build and install 3 days ago, I've probably driven 2 hours so far (had overnight travel over the weekend, so not as much time as I'd hoped).

The feeling is AMAZING, but I'm suffering the same effects I had when I first started with VR (although nowhere near as bad). I'm sure I can get over it with the same approach as before: Drive until I start to feel a little uneasy and quit immediately. Return when I'm feeling better and over time I'll be able to drive for longer and longer stretches.

I've noticed that the more violent and jerky the car is (e.g. Dallara F3 with the iRacing Formula preset found on Discord or DTM with the RaceRoom DTM preset also found on Discord), the better I feel. When the suspension feels bouncy, or the car feels like it's swaying, I get uneasy more quickly.

My sensor is currently fixed (doesn't move with the motion rig) and I haven't yet experimented with mounting it to my moving rig (and I'm not sure it would have much impact on the motion . I haven't done that since I figured mounting it to the moving rig would introduce extra vibrations to the sensor.

Maybe you should try 'lock to horizon' or the Real Head Motion plugin (AC)?

 

[anton_Chez]

@sjb266 If this is how you feel I reckon you might need to find, or create, a profile that is less intrusive to the overall experience. I mean, we can make it like driving a real race car to an extent, with this setup. But let's not forget how physical and demanding it is on your body and you mind at the same time.

Sim racing can attempt to recreate this depending on your equipment and also how much pressure you put on yourself to be really good. But it can and should also be something that is fun and enjoyable to do. If the motion is taking that away from you I reckon a more relaxed profile should do the trick.

I felt the same when I got the V3. I felt it hindered my driving and I didn't like how it made someone already slow, slower. But you grow accustomed to it and now with the right tuning it just feels right. The same will happen with the SFX-100.

 

[HoiHman]

@sjb266, Simon just turn the overall intensity down to somewhere around 25%, you will notice you still get some great motion feedback but it's less intrusive. If it's still too hard, turn down the min max speed levels step by step and or add some smoothing.

My "morning Forza Motorsport 7 profile" is also very subtle, yet i can still cleary get the sense of heave, turn-in and surge without it being an effort to drive.

LIke @anton_Chez already mentioned, you do get accustomed to it. I had guys needing braking after 1 lap on the nordschleife when trying the motion for the first time, while i can keep on lapping for hours.

 

[Spinelli]

This is like the OSW of motion. Let's say someone already has a Sim-lab cockpit. How much will it cost for American buyers to purchase the SFX100 and get it all setup and running?