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

Talkwrench · Jan 26, 2019

I think you've missed my point, I am happy to donate and thought £100 was reasonable, i think i even posted that numerous pages ago. Clearly there is a buy in limit, a figure in his mind so therefore why not stipulate that? Obviously people could donate more if they ever wanted too and im sure they would. I realise he has brought an amazing opportunity to us all but I don't think its unreasonable to put a price on the expert features of the software. Lets face it, every other piece of software on your computer had a price tag that you knowingly paid, so why not for this? I do find that a bit odd to be honest. Imagine you are still on the fence about venturing into this build and are very cost conscious, its only fair that someone understands the full cost of the build surely? Again I want to reiterate that i feel it is only fair that a decent sum is paid for the software but I'd also argue that transparency is only fair for the developer and the builder alike.

saxxon66 · Jan 26, 2019

Sorry, but you missed the point.
Have you read what I have written?

Donation is about appreciation.
License is about protection.

SimFeedback is not a commercial application.
You cannot buy it, so you cannot own it, but you can use it.

Like you said it is an opportunity, a chance to be a part of this community driven project. And I am one part of this project too. But not only me, without the help of others it would not have been possible to make it public.

There is no price tag for the license.

I am doing this in my spare time and I am not willing to go to my office, create a license, write an email and do all the accounting stuff for 10 bucks, just to make one guy happy.

It does not feel good to receive a small amount and to protect you and me I have a hard limit, but this limit is miles away from what you thought is reasonable. It is just the limit for my expense allowance (if this is the right word?)

Talkwrench · Jan 26, 2019

Post deleted

razzta01 · Jan 26, 2019

Hi guys, I wanted to buy the Emi Filter (Schaffner FN2070-16, 16A, EMI Filter, 110/250VAC, FN2070 16 07) but it is not available. Anyone can help me out and suggest a similar option?
Rgds

BluePotato00 · Jan 26, 2019

Although it’s not very popular, iRacing rallycross is AWESOME with this motion rig. There’s a jump at Daytona where you feel weightless in the air followed by a nice satisfying stomp when you land! The rest of the motion along the track is great and when you get a nice little 0x colliding with a wall or another car, it feels and sounds right like everything is perfect with the world!

Mascot · Jan 26, 2019

Progress of sorts today, moving the 50" screen off the rig and on to the wall to keep it wobble-free when the pistons are fitted.

Then:

Now:

The wall bracket is a multi-link jobby so the screen can be pulled forward 450mm for big screen gaming if I want, but I'll probably never bother.
New LED Corsair keyboard too. Fed up with mistyping in the dark...

sjb266 · Jan 26, 2019

Yeah good move @Mascot ... my cheap LG 27" monitor gets shaken like sh#t... and i've got everything at about 50%

GEEDOGG · Jan 26, 2019

Hey Guys do any of you know the name or have the link to the USB utility that helps you check the usage and distribute your ports for equal usage. I just got a error message saying I don't have enough resources try a different port or unplug something that's not being used. I know it's in the thread somewhere but I'm being lazy at the moment.

Ringorian · Jan 26, 2019

Here
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/usbview

GEEDOGG · Jan 27, 2019

@Ringorian Thanks

Fran Toledano · Jan 27, 2019

saxxon66 said:
Usually I do not discuss donations on public forums, but seeing so many people responding, here is my response.

1. SimFeedback is not a commercial application, it is a hobby project all done in my spare time
2. It is a mix of open and closed source, the closed source part is not public domain
3. It has a licensing system build in to protected the SFX-100 project from commercial abuse
4. You can use the software for free in its normal mode
5. If you would like to use the expert mode you need to donate
6. There is no "official" minimum, but I will refund donations that are so small that it will make me a loss.
I say no "official", but like all humans I do have my good and bad days. And therefore I have a hard limit, to make it fair for all. I am not going to publish this, because it would feel like a price tag on it.

Every refund has a refund message (PayPal) attached to it:
"Thank you for your donation, but I will refund your donation due to the small amount that will not cover the transaction fee, handling, taxation, accounting, ... expenses and is causing me a loss. Sorry"

Lately, in addition, I am asking for some pictures or posts to proof that the person, who has donated is building the system, to prevent any commercial build.
So please donate while or after you have built your system.

Donation is all about appreciation.

@Fran Toledano
Doing this project and only asking for: "How much is the minimum?" after all other responding, ...
Maybe you think about it again.
Up to now I have not denied someone a license, but seeing you spamming all forums and asking
"How much is the minimum?", I need to think again too.

Dear Saxon, I have no intention to spam forums.
I don’t see any attached message in the PayPal refound and prior to make me a heavy inversión for me, I try to understand all the projects, read all info.
I use Samsung odyssey hmd and I don’t found info about movement compensation in the software likes the nextion have.
My intention donation prior to making the hardware, was have access to discord support program, that’s only is possible if you have a donators license.
If I would found info about a minimum donation, I would payed it without any problem.

Sorry is this has caused inconveniences. It isn’t my intention.
King regards.

anton_Chez · Jan 27, 2019

I really want to try everything running without the monitor connected. Only a single 35" but I reckon it will make a big difference not having it there..

I like the way the chassis looks 'naked', @Mascot

Vantskruv · Jan 27, 2019

EDIT: Oh, stupid right in front of me, bult length 42mm it should be.

I've decided to build this thing up and already ordered several items and warmed up my 3d-printer.

One question though, I have found different types, or rather sizes, of the SFU1605 ballscrews, hence I noticed the model number can be either SFU1605-3 or SFU1605-4.
I have tried to find the difference, and found out that the bult length on 3 version is 42mm, while on the 4 version it is 50mm.

Does the length matter of the bults? I have not looked in the STL-files yet..

HoiHman · Jan 27, 2019

anton_Chez said:
I really want to try everything running without the monitor connected. Only a single 35" but I reckon it will make a big difference not having it there..

I like the way the chassis looks 'naked', @Mascot

I recommend you try it Anton.

Without a monitor you have so much more freedom to increase intensity and speed. I have seen the SFX100 making fast movement so incredibly fast, that i would fear having a monitor on the rig at those levels. It will surely break the vesa mount.

I have special reduced profiles when the monitor is on my rig. I needed to build a complete support structure to have a monitor, as it wasn't included in my original design. With only 4 bolts it's easy to remove it, which i always do whenever i change from monitor to VR.

From monitor to "naked rig" with windsim only takes 3-4 minutes. It still needs some optimisation so it can be done under 2.

I have removed the VR sensor from the rig and mounted it to the ceiling. I just had to many problems with camera view shifting when it's on the rig.

anton_Chez · Jan 27, 2019

Hmm that's strange about the sensor. I've found it works surprisingly well. Maybe more intense profiles cause issues I'm yet to discover. Works well for me against what I first imagined.

HoiHman · Jan 27, 2019

saxxon66 said:
....

Donation is about appreciation
......

That's why i just donated again

(don't need another licence Micha)

anton_Chez said:
Hmm that's strange about the sensor. I've found it works surprisingly well. Maybe more intense profiles cause issues I'm yet to discover. Works well for me against what I first imagined.

I'm not giving up yet on the rig mounted sensor, but yeah intense profiles seem to be the cause of the problem. Somehow it also does not like a lot of pitch, the sensor is not vibrating, but right now getting to bottom of it is not my priority.

C64 · Jan 27, 2019

Vantskruv said:
EDIT: Oh, stupid right in front of me, bult length 42mm it should be.

I've decided to build this thing up and already ordered several items and warmed up my 3d-printer.

One question though, I have found different types, or rather sizes, of the SFU1605 ballscrews, hence I noticed the model number can be either SFU1605-3 or SFU1605-4.
I have tried to find the difference, and found out that the bult length on 3 version is 42mm, while on the 4 version it is 50mm.

Does the length matter of the bults? I have not looked in the STL-files yet..

Good to see another build underway. You need the 42mm one

Mascot · Jan 27, 2019

Right then.

Giant mug of tea? Check.
Zeppelin on the stereo? Check.
This thread open on the laptop? Check.
Github open on the iPad? Check.

*deep breath*

Here we go!

HugoB · Jan 27, 2019

Mascot said:
Right then.

Giant mug of tea? Check.
Zeppelin on the stereo? Check.
This thread open on the laptop? Check.
Github open on the iPad? Check.

*deep breath*

Here we go!

Wow, I like the interior! My workplace looked more like the interior of a campervan after it's crashed down a mountain slope

Mascot · Jan 27, 2019

HugoB said:
Wow, I like the interior! My workplace looked more like the interior of a campervan after it's crashed down a mountain slope

Ha ha..! Thanks. I was going to do this in the workshop but it's just too damn cold in there at the moment.

I don't think it's going to stay this tidy and organised for very long...