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

Hees · Oct 7, 2019

ThugUK said:
Thinking about buying an ultra wide Samsung C43J89 monitor and want to know if anyone has this model either attached to the rig or separate.
Give me some reviews/impressions and photos please.

check @HoiHman

papasqueeze · Oct 8, 2019

hi all
has anyone got there triple monitors mouted to there rig?

im thinking that if there not i would have to leave enuf room between the monitors and rig for movement and then i cant get them right behind the wheel without having them high,

i have sim labs gt1 evo was thinking of getting the monitor mount to this i just have the free standing one at the minute

Black_rat · Oct 8, 2019

I think general consensus is its a bit too risky.

Insert Coin · Oct 9, 2019

@Flag Ghost has another solution to EMI: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...controller-thread.168360/page-21#post-3053873

anton_Chez · Oct 11, 2019

@HugoB I've been playing with the low pass effect in the new beta (in the drop down box where you assign the movement type, pitch, roll, heave) and thought it cured the jerky nature of the surge movement. But, upon more investigation, it seems that you just get very little if not no motion at all from that setting. I've since changed it back and immediately felt the brake dive I've been sorely missing.

The key now (as it always has been) is to tune it in a way that you get a small amount of gear shift feeling, a good brake dive that allows you to feel the stopping force you're applying, while not making the ride completely uncomfortable. Some cars exhibit this behaviour more than others. The paddle shift cars that give uncomfortable downshifts are hard to combat as you can only control the revs so much.

I'm playing with this again now so I might post my findings if I can improve the feelings. Right now, I'm driving the V8 supercar (as always) and I'm able to get really good brake and upshift feeling, with a pretty smooth ride overall. When I tested the low pass effect on it's own, it's like the platform was absolutely stationary. I guess that's the reason why it smoothed out the jerky effects. There was no effect at all!

Vantskruv · Oct 12, 2019

Tronicgr_6DOF said:
.......

All I'm saying is people should check their grounds if they hear such noise, and not only that, to protect their computers as well as it WILL create ground loop via the Arduino USB connector to your pc and back to the wall... sometimes with lots of voltage difference dynamic (60volts measured on my equipment at home!!!).

And both my servos, expensive or cheap one show this difference in amplitude

Sorry if commenting this which was posted 3 months ago.
When my motherboard, and my Simucube electric controller, got destroyed, while racing, I first thought it was a shortcut in the wall powersocket. But I did not find any shortcut there. I never found a cause of the incident.
That only thing I could think of was an electromagnetic disturbance and voltage difference caused by the electric motors, both from the Simucube servo and the SFX-100 motors. But nothing I can prove. Also I did not have any current-filter installed before, so probably, either the above was the cause, or the missing currentfilter, or both.

Also, I did not power the computer on an earthed line, only the SFX-100 and the Simucube. That may have affected the incident aswell.

Now, I always run everything in the setup (computer, SFX-100, steering-wheel, other electronics in the rig) on a powerline with earth. But everytime I need to drag a power-cable to my kitchen which is the only room that gives earth with the power.

So currently my recommendation is to install a currentfilter according to the instructions of the SFX-100 motors, and running the rig and all electronics on a earth powerline.

Insert Coin · Oct 12, 2019

And use quality shielded USB cables with ferrite cores (preinstalled or added).

MrRoper · Oct 13, 2019

Well its been a long time since I started my build, unfortunately life got in the way, but today I fired her up for the first time! I did have a dodgy solder joint on my DIY shield which meant that the First attempt resulted in disappointment but once fixed I'm smiling from ear to ear...its bloody great!

Megahowler · Oct 13, 2019

Mine would have to be the slowest build... It's glacial atm.. Hopefully kick-started once I get my games room and 3D printers up and running

frodus · Oct 13, 2019

Got extrusions in, 3D printed parts are in (and they are fit to the extrusions perfectly). Not using the SFX100 solution for controller board. Just need to order the servos and leadscrew hardware and nuts/bolts.

RCR_Finn · Oct 13, 2019

Intetesting. You will use a PT-actuator controller with the sfx100 actuators? May I ask why?

frodus · Oct 13, 2019

I wanted to use something more robust than the Arduino and wires attached to the pin headers. I didn't see the daughter-board someone designed before I ordered one.

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 13, 2019

frodus said:
You need a controller for the servos anyway, right? This is the Thanos board, but in an enclosure, for a similar cost. I just wanted something with a nice enclosure, so bought one from PT-Actuator.

Sure, many are using the AMC-AASD15A with SFX actuators or switch between controllers to try both Simfeedback and Simtools...

EsxPaul · Oct 13, 2019

frodus said:
You need a controller for the servos anyway, right? This is the Thanos board, but in an enclosure, for a similar cost. I just wanted something with a nice enclosure, so bought one from PT-Actuator.

I wouldn't say the costs of that (admittedly very nice) controller is similar.

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 13, 2019

EsxPaul said:
I wouldn't say the costs of that (admittedly very nice) controller is similar.

I would argue about the controllers being similar... you cannot use the arduino leonardo with other actuators but SFX100...

saxxon66 · Oct 13, 2019

frodus said:
Got extrusions in, 3D printed parts are in (and they are fit to the extrusions perfectly), and the Thanos controller board from PT-Actuator that includes a really nice aluminum enclosure. Just need to order the servos and leadscrew hardware and nuts/bolts.
View attachment 329155 View attachment 329156 View attachment 329157 View attachment 329158

Sorry, but you are in the wrong thread, this is SimFeedback and we do not support any commercial controller.
For this project all you need is an Arduino and if you want to make it plug and play the SFX-Shield.

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 13, 2019

saxxon66 said:
Sorry, but you are in the wrong thread, this is SimFeedback and we do not support any commercial controller.
For this project all you need is an Arduino and if you want to make it plug and play the SFX-Shield.

Everybody agrees with that. And if you did read my comment I didn't say otherwise.

frodus · Oct 13, 2019

Saxxon,
I would like to politely disagree that I don't belong in this thread. While I did post I'm using another controller, I AM actually building the SFX100 actuators. I see no reason why I cannot post my pictures, build, etc in this thread. Is that not what the forum is for?

I removed mention of the "other" controller option. My apologies

Furnace Inferno · Oct 14, 2019

frodus said:
Saxxon,
Did you start this thread? Nope.

I would like to politely disagree that I don't belong here. While I did post I'm using another controller, I AM actually building the SFX100 actuators. I see no reason why I cannot post my pictures, build, etc in this thread. Is that not what the forum is for?

I removed mention of the "other" controller option. My apologies . I didn't realize you were in charge of this thread.

Lighten up.

Maybe you need to pay attention to who actually allowed you to build the sfx-100 to begin with and show a bit of respect because without saxxon you’d still be driving motionless or paying 3x as much for the PT-Actuators....

Tronicgr_6DOF · Oct 14, 2019

Furnace Inferno said:
Maybe you need to pay attention to who actually allowed you to build the sfx-100 to begin with and show a bit of respect because without saxxon you’d still be driving motionless or paying 3x as much for the PT-Actuators....

Is anyone actually paying attention here before posting inflammatory comments? He said he is building SFX100 actuators... when did he mentioned PT-ACTUATOR actuators? take another look!!

Also...

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/wannabes-4-dof-actuator-sim-project.13791/

Not all DIY actuator are based on SFX100...