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

ThugUK · Apr 27, 2019

ThugUK said:
I started ordering everything on the14th April and have received almost everything, except the motors (Aliexpress), ball screws and fixed bearings (rc-letmathe).

I have received a text today off DHL stating my motors are due to come Monday, but they require import tax. However, when I log on to my DHL account there is no mention of this at all.

I still don't have any notification about my ball screws and fixed bearings yet. They are showing on my account as paid, but no movement since the 14th April. It says delivery date open and no parcel number.

Is this normal?

Anyone else had issues with the ball screws?
There is still no parcel number showing from 2 weeks ago.

On a plus note, I now have my motors, so the ball screws and fixed bearings (and connector hub from the group buy) are the last pieces of the puzzle.

Crashtappen · Apr 27, 2019

GeniFx said:
Got email from them now. Some Vat problems so my order got refound ed. Made A New order now and the promised to ship it on monday.

They say they have had problems with the online shop so we have to see if things get bether now

This is a joke.... they canceled my first order for the same reason. They sent me a new invoice with VAT applied 2 times. I refused and made them an email with screenshot to show them where the problem reside. Their cart calculation is ****ed up.

They sent me a new invoice but never responded to the problem nor corrected their website. They instead blamed PayPal when it's definitely not PayPal.

This company is not really serious....

EsxPaul · Apr 27, 2019

@Pyronious

Will the screw lengths remain the same with the newly designed enclosure for the group buy boards?

I remember noting those down after watching your Shield Introduction video for the original board but wanted to check if anything had changed.

I have : M3x16mm(qty4) and either M3x8mm or M3x4mm (qty1)

Thanks

Pyronious · Apr 27, 2019

EsxPaul said:
@Pyronious

Will the screw lengths remain the same with the newly designed enclosure for the group buy boards?

I remember noting those down after watching your Shield Introduction video for the original board but wanted to check if anything had changed.

I have : M3x16mm(qty4) and either M3x8mm or M3x4mm (qty1)

The lengths are the same (I recommend the 4mm over the 8mm but either works). However, you now need qty 2 of the shorter screws.

GeniFx · Apr 27, 2019

Crashtappen said:
This is a joke.... they canceled my first order for the same reason. They sent me a new invoice with VAT applied 2 times. I refused and made them an email with screenshot to show them where the problem reside. Their cart calculation is ****ed up.

They sent me a new invoice but never responded to the problem nor corrected their website. They instead blamed PayPal when it's definitely not PayPal.

This company is not really serious....

ON my first order i got Vat that they refounded on paypal same Day. (im in norway and we are outside EU)
Made the New order in the online store and now got the right price. Hope this is goint.
Have goten 3 emails from them today, they replayed within 10 min so that is good.

Dont think they try to scam you.

Crashtappen · Apr 27, 2019

GeniFx said:
Dont think they try to scam you

Never told they try to scam but they are really bad at communication and they are stubborn when you try explain them there is a problem.

darrenmnz · Apr 28, 2019

Well done the same as one other bloke on here and read all 225 pages, brought the 3dprinter and just brought the mechanical parts from Amy @ntl, just a quick question on the Alu profiles, i got onto there website and added everything that was required to my cart, but i cant go any further because they say they cant ship to New Zealand and to email or call them? Is that the way it is done or have i set up my account incorrectly. KInda confused. any advice appreciated.

Rollux · Apr 28, 2019

I think some of the countries such as here in NZ you send an email of what you want and address and they will email you an invoice to pay

darrenmnz · Apr 28, 2019

Rollux said:
I think some of the countries such as here in NZ you send an email of what you want and address and they will email you an invoice to pay

ok, thanks man, i will email them

Black_rat · Apr 28, 2019

They didn't have the UK either, I emailed them and they let me know it had been added if you are talking Kinetic.

metalnwood · Apr 28, 2019

Go away from the forum for a couple weeks and two more NZ'ers making them.. I think we most have the most SFX builders per head of population

ThugUK · Apr 28, 2019

Black_rat said:
They didn't have the UK either, I emailed them and they let me know it had been added if you are talking Kinetic.

There is (was?) an error I (with the help of Furnace Inferno) discovered on their website, where if you choose English as your language it wont show Great Britain (Grossbritannien) as an option when creating an account.
If you leave language as German then it will. You can then change language over to English.
This may also be the same with other countries.

Black_rat · Apr 28, 2019

ThugUK said:
There is (was?) an error I (with the help of Furnace Inferno) discovered on their website, where if you choose English as your language it wont show Great Britain (Grossbritannien) as an option when creating an account.
If you leave language as German then it will. You can then change language over to English.
This may also be the same with other countries.

I think it may have changed, I never created an account just paid with paypal, if you pay by another method then it seems you will then get an invoice for payment. Using paypal I just use my registered Halifax clarity card which gives me commercial exchange rates rather than Paypal's rather greedy exchange rate. BTW if you buy much in euros or dollars its a great card to use. Of course I haven't received anything yet so it all may go Pete Tong

Number 20Seven · Apr 28, 2019

Just waiting on my final few bits before I get cracking with the build, excited! There was a delay from rc-letmathe for the ball screws but they where good about communicating it. The one issue I have is with the Hollow Shafts from Smalltec, they packaged them up badly so two escaped the box. I’ve emailed them but they have not replied so getting one of my german speaking college’s to call them up tomorrow. Anyone else had that issue?

GeniFx · Apr 29, 2019

I have read tru all the pages but cant seem to find it again.

About the 3d printed parts is IT okey to print them without the solid layer every 20 layers? Im using cura and cant find that setting. Printed all the small parts and have started on the buttom and TOP parts. Just got 1 buttom done with 20% innfill. Fail on on of the tops after 9 houre of print on 30% infill

Tim Palmgren · Apr 29, 2019

@GeniFx, I haven't assembled my actuators yet so prints haven't been stress tested yet but they came out pretty much perfect from cura by thickening the walls + top and bottom layers and I also went with 70% infill. only 1 failure across all the pieces I printed and it was due to running out of PLA mid-print and accidentally pressing the wrong command to resume..

jedrzej101 · Apr 29, 2019

Mascot said:
I'd only recommend this if I sold monitors for a living.

https://m.imgur.com/a/xi8IhDD

I have triple screens mount to the rig without problem. I used rubber gasket bettwen monitors to keep them nice and with vesa bracket they hold 3 27 monitors nice and solid

C64 · Apr 29, 2019

GeniFx said:
I have read tru all the pages but cant seem to find it again.

About the 3d printed parts is IT okey to print them without the solid layer every 20 layers? Im using cura and cant find that setting. Printed all the small parts and have started on the buttom and TOP parts. Just got 1 buttom done with 20% innfill. Fail on on of the tops after 9 houre of print on 30% infill

In normal operation the fixed bearing mount takes the most forces through it but it is very strong. The way I see it the forces are transmitted mostly by the perimeters ( mainly around the bolt holes ), the infill stabilises the perimeters, I Don’t understand the purpose of the solid layer every 20 layers. The motor mount and linear bearing mount are massively strong for the loads that they need to transmit.

ThugUK · Apr 29, 2019

Number 20Seven said:
Just waiting on my final few bits before I get cracking with the build, excited! There was a delay from rc-letmathe for the ball screws but they where good about communicating it. The one issue I have is with the Hollow Shafts from Smalltec, they packaged them up badly so two escaped the box. I’ve emailed them but they have not replied so getting one of my german speaking college’s to call them up tomorrow. Anyone else had that issue?

How long did rc-letmathe take with the ball screws?
I ordered mine on the 14th April and still no parcel number.

Pyronious · Apr 29, 2019

Now that the group buy for the SFX-100 Shield is in production in China, I had time to make a video showing how to go the DIY route and have a bare PCB printed, order the parts, and solder the board up by hand.

Group buy participants will receive fully assembled boards. But if you missed the group buy or just want to go the DIY route, here is everything you need to make your own. Enjoy!