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

 

[metalnwood]

To those who have their stuff all up and running, is there an easy way for you to check the servos maximum output (rpm\power draw)under actual driving conditions?
(preferably something on the extremes like rally landings or during a crash)
I'm fairly certain I'm not going to be able to add a new circuit for 240v so I'll likely be stuck using a step up converter on a 20 or 30A circuit. I'm concerned because the max draw on paper would stress the circuit past the 80% recommended even on a 30A, so i'd like to know if those conditions ever really come up...

I doubt they they are going to be drawing near their maximum so I dont think most need to worry about this. If the circuit is on a slow fuse then it should handle any momentary power draws as well.

 

[metalnwood]

Is the discord channel a closed group, I’m slowly building my rig as we speak , would be good to share settings and profiles

The discord group is for people that have donated.

 

[sebna]

The discord group is for people that have donated.

Finally somebody explained what the story is with the discord group.

Thank you

 

[HoiHman]

First fase of tuning has begun. Driving will be done without the rift on 46" tv and a 40"monitor for the tuning menu.

Time for some videos.

First video, one lap on Suzuka with the BMW DTM M4 in Raceroom. For noise comparison i enable/disable the seoflow fans of the windsimulator.

Actuator movement, watch the crash at the end

One lap on Suzuka with lower speed and intensity, but with sway enabled. My son is driving ( he loved it)

 

[Stevie_007]

Howl do you donate then, assuming most of us on here have started building, is there plans to share that knowledge - profiles etc.

 

[metalnwood]

Howl do you donate then, assuming most of us on here have started building, is there plans to share that knowledge - profiles etc.

When you download and install the software from github there is a tab that has all the information. Its just a paypay donation of no specific amount.

 

[Michal Burisin]

First fase of tuning has begun. Driving will be done without the rift on 46" tv and a 40"monitor for the tuning menu.

Time for some videos.

First video, one lap on Suzuka with the BMW DTM M4 in Raceroom. For noise comparison i enable/disable the seoflow fans of the windsimulator.

Actuator movement, watch the crash at the end

One lap on Suzuka with lower speed and intensity, but with sway enabled. My son is driving ( he loved it)

Thanks for sharing the videos! The feedback looks just amazing and really tied to what's happening on screen.

I probably won't be able to run so aggresive setting due to noise / vibration, but I think it will be worth to do this project even with this limitation I will have. But maybe it won't be such problem in the end. I think some vibration / noise control could be done.

 

[Stevie_007]

First fase of tuning has begun. Driving will be done without the rift on 46" tv and a 40"monitor for the tuning menu.

Time for some videos.

First video, one lap on Suzuka with the BMW DTM M4 in Raceroom. For noise comparison i enable/disable the seoflow fans of the windsimulator.

Actuator movement, watch the crash at the end

One lap on Suzuka with lower speed and intensity, but with sway enabled. My son is driving ( he loved it)

Brilliant can’t wait, are you running at 3000 or 1200

 

[HoiHman]

what do you think

 

[sjb266]

One lap on Suzuka with lower speed and intensity, but with sway enabled. My son is driving ( he loved it)

Is it just me... or does the sway look inverted? Or is there just a tonne of camber in the corners?

 

[HoiHman]

We re still tuning and exploring. Haven't driven with that setting myself. As you can see I preferred driving without the sway, since the gs4 will do that job perfectly

 

[metalnwood]

Sway can be inverted because we dont have any g forces on the body, so whenit sways in the other direction you will feel the seat pressure on the correct side where you would if gforces were in effect in the car.. If that makes sense.

 

[anton_Chez]

Sway can be inverted because we dont have any g forces on the body, so whenit sways in the other direction you will feel the seat pressure on the correct side where you would if gforces were in effect in the car.. If that makes sense.

It does make sense but in the video the chassis leans toward the direction the car is turning. Should be opposite. Car turns right, rig leans left to give the feeling of inertia. I think that's what Simon was saying. It needs to be inverted for it to feel correct. In the video it's basically following the direction of the car.

 

[Moxley6969]

I knew something looked off when i glanced on my phone lol....makes sense now

 

[metalnwood]

It does make sense but in the video the chassis leans toward the direction the car is turning. Should be opposite. Car turns right, rig leans left to give the feeling of inertia. I think that's what Simon was saying. It needs to be inverted for it to feel correct. In the video it's basically following the direction of the car.

I am not sure what you are saying? Look from about 20 seconds as he goes through the curves.

He turns left and the seat goes to the left so he feels pressure in the right side, the same feeling that he would get in the car, pressure from the right side in a left turn.

It is moving the direction of the car but that is to impart in the side of the seat the correct feeling you get from a real car.

I agree, to give this feeling it looks wrong but I suppose you have to tune it to feel right in the seat rather then what an actual car would do as we dont have the associated G force on the body.

 

[HoiHman]

Let me first explain what happend. The version i was running yesterday has a bug which crashes the program when you add a effect. So yesterday for the video we replaced the roll effect with the sway effect using the same graph settings. Purely to show the lef/right movement available.

I only filmed it, haven't driven it yet.

I think it all depends on what you are trying to simulate:

Car movement

or

G-forces

I'm not saying one or the other is right and i'm not even going to bother to try to tune this well. If all goes well tomorrow night my GS-4 will be up and running. Feeling cornering G-force from the SFX-100 will have no importance to me anymore.

Still just out of curiosity i will try both versions and give you my opinion.

 

[anton_Chez]

That's a good idea Hoi, many people want to know what they can expect from lateral forces in the sim compared to something like the V3. On your GS-4 seat, surely if you turn left, the right paddles on the seat activate to imitate the pushing on the body when in the car. That's what I was trying to get at with the platform movement. However, you are also correct in what you say about the settings. Perhaps some people would rather have the movement of the actual car simulated rather than the forces against the body. I'm sure that with this motion system it's going to feel slightly different to what us seat mover folk are used to feeling.

I'd hope that we can achieve at least what we feel with our seat movers in terms of forces against the steering of the vehicle. I think the software is going to have something for everybody and it just depends on what the individual user prefers or gives higher preference to.

 

[metalnwood]

Yes, the gs4 will give you the best of all worlds with respect to this..

One thing I am wondering while you tune on a monitor is if this is the best way to do it when you will be using VR?

I say that because in VR things can feel different because the visual cues are very different in VR than a screen... So, I wonder if the settings you arrive at on a screen would be the same setting you would come to if you were only tuning in VR?

 

[HoiHman]

Yes, the gs4 will give you the best of all worlds with respect to this..

One thing I am wondering while you tune on a monitor is if this is the best way to do it when you will be using VR?

I say that because in VR things can feel different because the visual cues are very different in VR than a screen... So, I wonder if the settings you arrive at on a screen would be the same setting you would come to if you were only tuning in VR?

First Sway needs to be inverted, i knew this right from the first time i turned into a corner

I tried tuning R3E in VR, but i has an allway active window and with the headset op things just don't work for me. Second you need to see what you are doing, as i have learned the hardway.

You can keep turning things up, because it feels great and then your rig starts jumping around. Remember this is not a commercial product with failsafe limits build in. The servo motors themselves do have protection build in. Overload ect ect.

I just made a base tune for DTM in raceroom and will now tried it in VR. Then i just might adjust a couple of sliders in the basic mode, but the expert mode doesn't work for me in VR.

The software is amazing. It might need a couple improvements, which i'm sure will come in time. You have SO much control over all the effects and using the graph and the realtime data on the second screen it's just great.

 

[TITANVR]

Hello everybody, good morning
I am also building the SFX-100, some parts are already arriving, the four servomotors are one of them, also a 3d printer
My biggest problem with the pieces is the aluminum profile.
Does anyone have another address to request aluminum profiles?

a greeting