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

Moe Ballout · May 19, 2019

ThugUK said:
Yeah, each motor is the same.

What are the parameters exactly? Thank you

Bleak December · May 19, 2019

ThugUK said:
Thought I would have a go at painting the groves of my profiles to blend them in to the rig a little.
Just used a bit of enamel paint.
I like it.

Looks awesome, are you considering adding the same central fiber inserts as the rest of the rig?

ThugUK · May 19, 2019

Bleak December said:
Looks awesome, are you considering adding the same central fiber inserts as the rest of the rig?

Still unsure.
It might be a little overkill but then again it’s only a sticker so can remove it again I guess.

ThugUK · May 19, 2019

Moe Ballout said:
What are the parameters exactly? Thank you

I have no idea.
What parameters do you need to know?

Specialist68 · May 19, 2019

Moe Ballout said:
What are the parameters exactly? Thank you

https://opensfx.com/testing-and-configuring-servo-drives/
on this page

PandaNL · May 19, 2019

If people are looking for the SFX breakout board by @Pyronious I have 2 left.

See the following post for info https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...simulator-thread.159524/page-208#post-2951844

niko911 · May 20, 2019

Help needed!
I´m trying to print my parts but having some issues with the print sizes.
For example: The linear bearing mount should have (according to the STL-file) the measurement: 101 mm*101 mm. Hole diameter 47 mm. When I´m printing the size gets 99*99 and 46,7 in diameter for the hole.
The ball bearing itself has a diameter of 47,1 mm and it doesn´t fit at all.
I´m using a Prusa MK3s and slic3r.
I´m am thinking of upscaling the STL files in slic3r by a procent or two, but then again an upscale would affect the height of the 3D-part. Have anyone else had simular issues and in that case - how did you solve those?
Best regards - Niclas

saxxon66 · May 20, 2019

The Eagle has landed !

We've got to make a big shout out to Pyronius, who is the father of the SFX Shield - which if you've missed the posts, has helped make this "Plug and Play". Between Pryonius and the volunteers who helped organise the group buy (C64, HoiHman, AceKrusty23, DreiKarneval43, Pyronius), the shipments of the SFX Shield group buy will be in the hands of their happy owners in the next couple of days.

The SFX-Shield is the ultimate Plug N Play solution for SimFeedback and SFX-100 actuators. It will allow you to use the popular Arduino platform running our own specialized firmware w/o cable wiring by just plugging it into the Arduino.

We think our controller is pretty cool - it uses native hardware functions (CPU registers, HW timers and burst mode) to drive your simulator - this is the best controller available for the SFX-100 today. SimFeedback enables you to tune how your platform behaves, with movement graphs, motor speed, motor acceleration, telemetry smoothing controls and more - all in one place in the SimFeedback desktop application. The results of your tuning are stored in individual profiles that are easily shareable with others, and you can download from a growing library in the Owners discord.

Overall 280 shields were ordered - we think you'll agree that's amazing. And through a group effort of like minded people this dropped it to a staggeringly low price - it was truly a community effort which makes us both humble and proud.

Now what’s better than one controller? Two (or more…) And going on the shield order numbers, many bought more than one shield, indicating they wanted a certain feature.

Today we're happy to announce we’ve started actively testing our first beta build supporting unlimited* multi-controller for SimFeedback. We can't wait to see what people do with this.The timing of when this available will become clearer after the beta test. For people in the Owners Discord we've got a few more details on it there.

* Limited by as many USB ports as your machine can handle!

HugoB · May 20, 2019

saxxon66 said:
The Eagle has landed !

We've got to make a big shout out to Pyronius, who is the father of the SFX Shield - which if you've missed the posts, has helped make this "Plug and Play". Between Pryonius and the volunteers who helped organise the group buy (C64, HoiHman, AceKrusty23, DreiKarneval43, Pyronius), the shipments of the SFX Shield group buy will be in the hands of their happy owners in the next couple of days.

The SFX-Shield is the ultimate Plug N Play solution for SimFeedback and SFX-100 actuators. It will allow you to use the popular Arduino platform running our own specialized firmware w/o cable wiring by just plugging it into the Arduino.

We think our controller is pretty cool - it uses native hardware functions (CPU registers, HW timers and burst mode) to drive your simulator - this is the best controller available for the SFX-100 today. SimFeedback enables you to tune how your platform behaves, with movement graphs, motor speed, motor acceleration, telemetry smoothing controls and more - all in one place in the SimFeedback desktop application. The results of your tuning are stored in individual profiles that are easily shareable with others, and you can download from a growing library in the Owners discord.

Overall 280 shields were ordered - we think you'll agree that's amazing. And through a group effort of like minded people this dropped it to a staggeringly low price - it was truly a community effort which makes us both humble and proud.

Now what’s better than one controller? Two (or more…) And going on the shield order numbers, many bought more than one shield, indicating they wanted a certain feature.

Today we're happy to announce we’ve started actively testing our first beta build supporting unlimited* multi-controller for SimFeedback. We can't wait to see what people do with this.The timing of when this available will become clearer after the beta test. For people in the Owners Discord we've got a few more details on it there.

* Limited by as many USB ports as your machine can handle!

That’s a big bomb you dropped

Couldn’t be more excited about this news! (I was one of those to order four boards

so I’m glad it’s actually going to happen!)

Bleak December · May 20, 2019

saxxon66 said:
The Eagle has landed !

the shipments of the SFX Shield group buy will be in the hands of their happy owners in the next couple of days.

Awesome, again thanks to Pyronious and all the regional colleagues to organize and take care of shipping! This is one of the last pieces to complete my build and turn to configuration and testing phase. Can’t wait!

...I think I will be checking my mailbox and/or postman in a daily basis!

Snajrog · May 20, 2019

saxxon66 said:
The Eagle has landed !

Which means I should be up and running this weekend. Everything else is ready and waiting!

Moe Ballout · May 21, 2019

What size is the bearing suppose to be? Just got the parts in and want to double check. I wired the servos and everything is working great so far. I will be putting my first actuator together tomorrow. Never mind I found the post at 42mm for the ball-screw.

wajdi · May 21, 2019

Snajrog said:
View attachment 306783

Which means I should be up and running this weekend. Everything else is ready and waiting!

You should mount the seat belt on a fixed point .

ScottSonder · May 21, 2019

wajdi said:
You should mount the seat belt on a fixed point .

He might not necessarily want passive tensioning. That's a GS5 seat, right? Think he might get strangled by the SFX and that system

A platform is a good idea anyways though. Walking is annoying!

iigator · May 21, 2019

saxxon66 said:
Now what’s better than one controller? Two (or more…) And going on the shield order numbers, many bought more than one shield, indicating they wanted a certain feature.

Today we're happy to announce we’ve started actively testing our first beta build supporting unlimited* multi-controller for SimFeedback. We can't wait to see what people do with this.The timing of when this available will become clearer after the beta test. For people in the Owners Discord we've got a few more details on it there.

* Limited by as many USB ports as your machine can handle!

with another board more and another arduino
this means that it is possible to add, for example, 2 other servo motors for the wave movement and another for the loss of traction?

Specialist68 · May 21, 2019

iigator said:
with another board more and another arduino
this means that it is possible to add, for example, 2 other servo motors for the wave movement and another for the loss of traction?

yep

saxxon66 · May 21, 2019

Big thanks to DreiKarneval43, look at the packaging. So gorgeous

Moe Ballout · May 22, 2019

Are the shaft couplings suppose to be this tight to fit on? I had to hammer them
In honestly.

Moe Ballout · May 22, 2019

Also coupling doesnt seem to be seated fully flush together

Tronicgr_6DOF · May 22, 2019

Moe Ballout said:
Are the shaft couplings suppose to be this tight to fit on? I had to hammer them
In honestly.

Don't hammer the couplings on the motor shaft! You will damage the shaft ball bearings!!!

Use a torch to heat up the coupling a bit (without the plastic cushion material), so it will expand and slide on the shaft...