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

 

[RaceNut]

I've yet to notice the D-box feet move a single mm over the last few months but, they seem to stick to my vinyl-plank flooring really, really well; they almost have to be pried up off the floor to get them to move at all.

Sliding them is near to impossible once they are well seated in place. They use a rubber-like material, maybe sorb-a-thane or something similar but, they stay put.

 

[Michal Burisin]

Did the second test drive today, using Jochens profile and it felt really good. Here are my basic findings.

On his advice i turned it all the way up to 3000rpm, after initial testing at 1200rpm.

It's unbelievable that a rig that is so heavy that i can not lift it, can move so fast. When driving on track you don't immediately feel the difference between 1200 and 3000, but when you offtrack af high speed.........

You will

So after 15min of driving and going of track a couple of times, i noticed that the rig had moved about 15cm. It moved of the special plates i put it on to protect the carpet, which is now destroyed.

The motion is so fast and violent that the special brackets for the windsimulator did not manage to keep the seaflow fans straight. So i have to redesign them.

The software is pretty straight forward to use, but i still need to learn a lot.

I could not get RPM and Rumble to work on the Actuators and have reported it in the owners discord channel. Not sure if its's a software issue or me doing something wrong.

Heave, is the "main" effect for this kind of motion, since you basically simulating the suspension of the car. Roll, pitch, surge are all great, but i could not get sway to work in such a way that i really feel it. This is probably because i'm not entirely famliar with simfeedback yet.

Without starting a discusion about the difference between seatmovers and chassismovers, from my experience the main difference in general is that seat movers try to simulate G-Forces and the chassismovers try to simulate the suspension.

For me personally the cornering G-force is not THAT important. As soon as my GS-4 is fixed, it will do the "cornering G-forces" for me. The combination will be awesome, there's no doubt about it.

This is for me the ideal setup:

SFX-100 : Heave, Pitch, Surge ect.
GS-4 : Sway ( cornering G-forces)
Simvibe / Tactile transducers in simfeedback: Engine RPM

The windsim is great too, but on the new rig the sealfows cause a speedbased vibration that i can feel really good and it interfers with motion clues. This is also why i do not think that a lot of tactile should be added to the motion, but like jochen already mentioned that needs it's own topic.

In theorie i could let the GS-4, simvibe AND the SFX100 all do the same roadbumps, but.... why should if the Aktuators are doing a great job by themselves?

Is it everything i hoped it would be.?

Yes, and even more.. But... the works that needs to be done is much more too

The challenge is to transport this rig from an other room and make it "race ready" in under 5 minutes.

That stil needs a lot of work.

That's great to hear!


I'm think in same lines as you do - let the best suited units do their main task so that it's not muddled with trying to do all effects at once.

It's exactly what I thought it would be from videos - primarily heave, not so much roll / pitch but that's perfect.

G-Seat will handle roll and acceleration and seat belt fastener braking.

Tactile can handle engine, additional g-forces, wheel slip etc. - no need to rattle whole rig at 3000 rpm .

I think with this separation one will get good clarity. All the effects I'm running on tactile are starting to be bit much

Would it be possible to use something like this ball joint to keep rig at place - http://www.chassis-tech.com/product_en/?id=2 - I suppose it would have to be big, but it might settle your problem.

How is the noise when you use the rig, especially on high RPM? Is the banging still there or it's resolved?

 

[Ringorian]

Having Them on 3000 is the best, If You Like IT slower do IT per Profile in expert Mode .. also Check the acceleration slider you can Go from short and violent to smooth as Butter with Speed / acceleration/ smoothing ...

 

[sjb266]

So I’m about to order the mechanical parts again. My last supplier has stuffed me around too much and hasn’t even sent the parts yet..

Do any other aussies want to do a group buy and split shipping.. the parts total $105 USD (per lot) and then we can split shipping. Shipping for 3 Lots is about $200 USD to give you an idea.

if we can get a few guys together it should only be about 50-80 bucks shipping each..

Each lot includes:
4 x ball screw and nut
4 x LMEK30UU
4 x FK12
4 x 270mm precision shaft 20mm bore
4 x 3040 10-16mm coupling

How many lots do we want boys?

 

[sjb266]

I also posted a whole bunch of links of where to purchase bits in Australia to the first post.. I will continue to update so post your links here. Hopefully we can add links from around the world for people from different regions.

 

[AussieSim]

So I’m about to order the mechanical parts again. My last supplier has stuffed me around too much and hasn’t even sent the parts yet..

Do any other aussies want to do a group buy and split shipping.. the parts total $105 USD (per lot) and then we can split shipping. Shipping for 3 Lots is about $200 USD to give you an idea.

if we can get a few guys together it should only be about 50-80 bucks shipping each..

Each lot includes:
4 x ball screw and nut
4 x LMEK30UU
4 x FK12
4 x 270mm precision shaft 20mm bore
4 x 3040 10-16mm coupling

How many lots do we want boys?

I would be interested if they are the same parts.

However if they are not the exact same ball screws/bearings/profile, the STLs may not fit.

 

[sjb266]

Yeah i have done my best to make sure they are. But that’s part of the risk I suppose..

 

[AussieSim]

Yeah i have done my best to make sure they are. But that’s part of the risk I suppose..

Put me down for a set Geelong, VIC

Also if you are ordering the same 100x100 profiles I dont know if shipping 8 or 12 of those is more cost effective than shipping 4

 

[Flex33]

I'm in mate..

 

[sjb266]

Put me down for a set Geelong, VIC

Also if you are ordering the same 100x100 profiles I dont know if shipping 8 or 12 of those is more cost effective than shipping 4

My profile is already on the way from Germany.

 

[HoiHman]

I've yet to notice the D-box feet move a single mm over the last few months but, they seem to stick to my vinyl-plank flooring really, really well; they almost have to be pried up off the floor to get them to move at all.

Sliding them is near to impossible once they are well seated in place. They use a rubber-like material, maybe sorb-a-thane or something similar but, they stay put.

I have rubber feet to, but i suspect the whole rig went airborne when i didn't make the corner and went over these strips at full speed

 

[Mascot]

I have rubber feet to, but i suspect the whole rig went airborne when i didn't make the corner and went over these strips at full speed

I think (hope?) you are joking but I'm slightly worried by comments like this as someone who'll potentially be installing it upstairs on a suspended wooden floor.

 

[Ringorian]

@Mascot you can have IT violent or smooth, and Lots of Things in between .. If You Like it the way you have to go ? Nobody knows ..

 

[Ringorian]

I have rubber feet to, but i suspect the whole rig went airborne when i didn't make the corner and went over these strips at full speed

Fasten your seatbelts when trying Rallye or rallycross .

 

[ANiMESoKAR]

So I’m about to order the mechanical parts again. My last supplier has stuffed me around too much and hasn’t even sent the parts yet..

Do any other aussies want to do a group buy and split shipping.. the parts total $105 USD (per lot) and then we can split shipping. Shipping for 3 Lots is about $200 USD to give you an idea.

if we can get a few guys together it should only be about 50-80 bucks shipping each..

Each lot includes:
4 x ball screw and nut
4 x LMEK30UU
4 x FK12
4 x 270mm precision shaft 20mm bore
4 x 3040 10-16mm coupling

How many lots do we want boys?

I'm in mate. Kardinya, WA.

Let me know when you need the payment. Appreciate you doing the hard work for this order!

Cheers

 

[anton_Chez]

@sjb266 Simon I would join in on this obviously, but I don't want the parts shipped to my house.....

Get me?

 

[d69morpwr]

You can ship them to me then

 

[sjb266]

Ok here's my thinking..

Maybe It's best to get individual invoices sent out to those interested and then you can make payment through paypal and get the parts sent to you directly.. Group buy is only going to save about $30-40 each and then add shipping within Australia.. it's going to even out quickly..

Like i have said a few times already I don't yet know what the quality of the parts are like etc.. I am happy to be the test mule if you guys want to wait before committing.. They said the turnaround is about 7-10 days..

Anyway for those interested PM your best contact email and I will get Invoices sent out -
Just need your name and where you want it shipped... Anton i'm looking at you!

 

[AussieSim]

Personally i don't mind waiting a week or two till you receive parts that are en route.

 

[HoiHman]

Did a quick test this morning a created a "Silent mode" which should be on par with the sound levels of the NLMV3.

The rig is still for about 60% finished, but already drivable.