The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Found that it was a bad solder,all sorted now

New question is how do I stop feedback through the headphones or speakers

Can't tell when just crusing in a car but when you put the hammer down I get a loud dull humming,

Is just a case of separating the controllers away from pc and speakers
 
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Found that it was a bad solder,all sorted now

New question is how do I stop feedback through the headphones or speakers

Can't tell when just crusing in a car but when you put the hammer down I get a loud dull humming,

Is just a case of separating the controllers away from pc and speakers
You have tactile enabled and your soundcard you use for audio selected.

Go in to the settings and turn off tactile/deselect your soundcard from SFX settings.
 
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you’re probably better using the thanos controller and converting the SFX-100 actuators to use SimTools. It’s more of an open source option and there’s over a hundred games it works with as far as i know. Thanos in this thread can help you with that.
Hey Michael

So the Thanos controller would replace the Arduino then? Where can more info be found on the Thanos pricing,etc?
 
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How long did your ones take?
I ordered 10th October and haven't heard anything yet...
Im sure it was well over a month.
I had not heard from them to so was starting to worry, then they just turned up.
Their customer service could be improved, but they did send them eventually.
 
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Im sure it was well over a month.
I had not heard from them to so was starting to worry, then they just turned up.
Their customer service could be improved, but they did send them eventually.

I ordered over a month ago, got a receipt 2 weeks later and then nothing. Sent an email last week, no response. Tried calling, they dont answer...
 
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Just got my 3D printed parts today from Diablo2112 and they look absolutely fantastic!
3d parts.PNG
 
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Having some issues with my newly built sfx100 build. Everything starts just like it should when I hit START in sim feedback. The motors extend to their position. After roughly 60 sec they retract and simfeedback seems to loose connection with the Arduino. If I start everything with the motors on the actuators turned off I can connect and disconnect the sfx controller no problems. But as soon as I give them power I have problems with connecting to the sfx shield.
 
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Having some issues with my newly built sfx100 build. Everything starts just like it should when I hit START in sim feedback. The motors extend to their position. After roughly 60 sec they retract and simfeedback seems to loose connection with the Arduino. If I start everything with the motors on the actuators turned off I can connect and disconnect the sfx controller no problems. But as soon as I give them power I have problems with connecting to the sfx shield.

Are you using simhub? These kinds of problems seem to be with either a conflict of simhub scanning ports that are used by SFX or a USB cable that is not up to the job. OSometimes a USB extension can give problems and USB hubs that are not powered.

If using simhub turn it off and see if that helps, if it does you can then change a config in simhub to let it coexist nicely, otherwise play around with how it is connected to the computer.
 
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Are you using simhub? These kinds of problems seem to be with either a conflict of simhub scanning ports that are used by SFX or a USB cable that is not up to the job. OSometimes a USB extension can give problems and USB hubs that are not powered.

If using simhub turn it off and see if that helps, if it does you can then change a config in simhub to let it coexist nicely, otherwise play around with how it is connected to the computer.

I am not using sim hub. I have tried different ports and different usb cords. Everything works fine with the sfx shield until I put power to the servo motors.
 
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I assume that you tried different USB configurations with power to the servos. It sounds like the EMI is possibly giving you issues if it only goes bad when the servo's are on.

The only other scenario that it has some similarity to is when you don't have any effects in your profile enabled. In that case SFX will automatically retract but I don't think this is the case.

Have you got another arduino that you can try in case it is dodgy.. There are a number of really cheap arduinos from china that could be a bit iffy.
 
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I assume that you tried different USB configurations with power to the servos. It sounds like the EMI is possibly giving you issues if it only goes bad when the servo's are on.

The only other scenario that it has some similarity to is when you don't have any effects in your profile enabled. In that case SFX will automatically retract but I don't think this is the case.

Have you got another arduino that you can try in case it is dodgy.. There are a number of really cheap arduinos from china that could be a bit iffy.
Yes I did try several usb configurations with no luck. My first thought is something is wrong with the Arduino. I’ll have to get another to try I guess.
 
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