The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

sjb266 · Sep 17, 2018

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:

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

Mascot · Jan 24, 2019

saxxon66 said:
You can do everything custom design, but that was not the idea.
Going custom would make many things easier and a lot of the design better.
And it would make things much more expansive and much harder to source or build.

The idea is an affordable, open source, DIY actuator design, with just of the shelf parts that are available for everybody to buy or build using basic tools and a 3D printer.

Of the shelf parts was the hard part.
We searched over one year, until one night, chatting and surfing the web Jochen and me found that one profile.
And we instantly knew this will gone work, this is it.

Since then many came up with similar extrusion profiles, but in the end, any other profile needed some machining to make it work.
I wish we could find more options for that profile.

This project is not going to be commercial. There are other commercial options and this project is not intended to compete with them. People need these commercial options for several reasons (time, knowledge, support, ...) and I saw many small companies on the SimRacingExpo that have taken their first steps into the market.

Oh, too true, off-the shelf is absolutely the best way to go for projects of this type and I wasn't trying to suggest otherwise. My lengthy ramble was more in response to the query about how much the SFX depended on one extrusion from one small inefficient supplier, and what would happen if that source dried up. All I was saying was, IF buying that item became a problem and another off-the-shelf alternative couldn't be found then it's not beyond the realm of possibility to run a bespoke extrusion, if the volume justified the cost.

What you guys did with stock components is nothing short of astonishing.

Specialist68 · Jan 24, 2019

Ringorian said:
It could be done with some CNC Parts / Profiles, but then it wouldnt be so easy and cheap for Everyone ..
This was the only profile we found were the ball nut fits without modification .Hang on, you will be happy if you get em. @Mascot if you are clueless pm me your name and order number and i give them a call ...

no respons on mail and their telefoon number " is not in use " strange!

Ringorian · Jan 24, 2019

Specialist68 said:
no respons on mail and their telefoon number " is not in use " strange!

@Specialist68 Dont know what you dialed, just tried and it rings .. off course tooo late --- 6 hours
If anybody wants to order motors, keep in mind they also have cny

anton_Chez · Jan 24, 2019

I too often think of worst case scenarios whether I really need to or not. It's the anxiety in me, I think.

We are all complaining about the profiles taking too long to get here. My hand is firmly in the air, too. Here's a moment of clarity for you, as I needed one a few weeks back.

What if the profiles stop coming, at all?

Mr Latte · Jan 24, 2019

Is it anyway likely that SFX could ever evolve to 6dof?

sjb266 · Jan 24, 2019

Mr Latte said:
Is it anyway likely that SFX could ever evolve to 6dof?

Chris Sellars · Jan 24, 2019

So, I just got confirmation from DHL that my extrusion from Haec is on its way. Payed on the 13/01 and this is the first communication I’ve had so I think patience and trust that it will come goes a long way. This is all covered off by Simon in the first post that it takes a while.

Emily has been good with her communication but I think they have had a delay with the wrong size nut so that could explain why it’s taken longer. The package may well contain parts from different factories, so you need to keep this in mind.

As has been said we need to be understanding and courteous especially with our Chinese suppliers as they probably don’t need these small orders.

Ringorian · Jan 24, 2019

anton_Chez said:
I too often think of worst case scenarios whether I really need to or not. It's the anxiety in me, I think.

We are all complaining about the profiles taking too long to get here. My hand is firmly in the air, too. Here's a moment of clarity for you, as I needed one a few weeks back.

What if the profiles stop coming, at all?

i have the same problem, my therapist says , don´t think that much !!!

C64 · Jan 25, 2019

saxxon66 said:
I wish we had an other source for this profile.
Communication is realy bad or better said no Communication.

I only found one other profile that should work.
It is from "Item"

https://product.item24.de/produkte/...-10-1001042798/profil-10-100x100-natur-62456/

This is quite funny, before I read this post and following some of the sob stories about shipping and delays I ordered a single piece of the 100x100 from the “Item” distributor in the uk to see how usable it is and what mods need doing to the printed parts. I had originally chatted to them last November about it but did not want to confuse builders with something that has not been tried ( still hasn’t ). Not got a delivery date yet but will report back when I have had a look at it.

“Item” have distributors worldwide, they are at the top end of the market so not cheap... but when shipping and delays from Germany are taken into account it may be a sensible option for non EU builders ( that will be the uk very soon...

).

RowanH · Jan 25, 2019

Obviously first port of call staying chummy with Kinetik and making sure they keep the orders flowing. I'd ordered mine back in October and it was 7 days between payment and shipping email (no confirmation emails inbetween).

That said so no one freaks out - as unlike if we have global coffee bean shortage (which really would be an issue) - I had a quick peek at the Item24 vs Kinetik profiles from the CAD drawings.

It's close, obviously would require some legwork modifying the slider design and would introduce the need to tap the M8 thread (ick) as opposed to the home handyman friendly reduction bush. So would make it a little more difficult.However I assume the critical dimension - 50mm bore is there.

Item24 left with critical dimensions noted from drawing, our Kinetik ones on the right.

Specialist68 · Jan 25, 2019

RowanH said:
Obviously first port of call staying chummy with Kinetik and making sure they keep the orders flowing. I'd ordered mine back in October and it was 7 days between payment and shipping email (no confirmation emails inbetween).

That said so no one freaks out - as unlike if we have global coffee bean shortage (which really would be an issue) - I had a quick peek at the Item24 vs Kinetik profiles from the CAD drawings.

It's close, obviously would require some legwork modifying the slider design and would introduce the need to tap the M8 thread (ick) as opposed to the home handyman friendly reduction bush. So would make it a little more difficult.However I assume the critical dimension - 50mm bore is there.

Item24 left with critical dimensions noted from drawing, our Kinetik ones on the right.

Can the slider.stl revert back from his slider software to a CAD program to adjust its dimensions? ( maybe a stupid question ) but if so can we adjust it to other profile?
And have we a 3D artist on the forum who can make new STL files for other aluminium profile?

C64 · Jan 25, 2019

Specialist68 said:
Can the slider.stl revert back from his slider software to a CAD program to adjust its dimensions? ( maybe a stupid question ) but if so can we adjust it to other profile?
And have we a 3D artist on the forum who can make new STL files for other aluminium profile?

I'm not a 3D modeller but have dabbled with microsoft "3D Builder" ( included with Win10 ) to make stuff. One feature in there is to take an image outline and extrude a shape - I've used it for other stuff and it works remarkably well and would be happy to use it to make/modify a slider. It will take a bit of fiddling and scaling to get it fitting "just right".

Mascot · Jan 25, 2019

Maybe Emily and Kinetic are both monitoring this thread - I just got a DHL notification from Kinetic (in German, of course) and a TNT International tracking number from Emily (which doesn't seem active yet).
Still expecting a lengthy wait for both though.

Ringorian · Jan 25, 2019

C64 said:
I'm not a 3D modeller but have dabbled with microsoft "3D Builder" ( included with Win10 ) to make stuff. One feature in there is to take an image outline and extrude a shape - I've used it for other stuff and it works remarkably well and would be happy to use it to make/modify a slider. It will take a bit of fiddling and scaling to get it fitting "just right".

The Bad Thing would be If this project gets defragmented with no need. With that config we all use it is save that If You do it right IT will Work ! Every piece You Change would be a , maybe because of this or that it doesnt Work .
That helps a Lot to know that the Project Works when the right Pins and so on are used and the right length of the parts ... Upside down

Specialist68 · Jan 25, 2019

Ringorian said:
The Bad Thing would be If this project gets defragmented with no need. With that config we all use it is save that If You do it right IT will Work ! Every piece You Change would be a , maybe because of this or that it doesnt Work .
That helps a Lot to know that the Project Works when the right Pins and so on are used and the right length of the parts ... Upside down

Agree, but that was before the problems we have now

anton_Chez · Jan 25, 2019

@Ringorian

saxxon66 · Jan 25, 2019

Specialist68 said:
Agree, but that was before the problems we have now

And what problems do we have now?

saxxon66 · Jan 25, 2019

Double post

MADShootStuff · Jan 25, 2019

I don't think there's much of a problem, other than communication, with Kinetik.

Mine is a unique case and it's DHL Paket that's the problem (Kinetik shipped it the business day after I paid).

I believe everyone else that's ordered from Kinetic has received their parts in 3-4 weeks.

Specialist68 · Jan 25, 2019

saxxon66 said:
And what problems do we have now?

I want not to spoiled the forum but,
multiple post are going about the only supplier we have for ever reason is not willing
To supply the aluminium profiles and we have no other supplier with " Exact " the same profile
Thus all the 3D parts are useless because the bolting holes and the " slider wil not fit "

And I know it because i was going trough the whole proces over and over again!