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

saxxon66 · Nov 26, 2019

FlyPT said:
For me it's not academic.

I have done my part, free software, not open source for now, might become.
Made my rig actuators and controllers, all open source in the XSimulator forums.
Code for sketch is there for anyone to copy how they want.
Don't try to tell me what is free or open source.

I just want the connection method or the sketch from the sfx100 hardware. I want to connect to it from Mover.
It's free right, if it's not made for profit, it doesn't matter from where we control it right?

My software was made for personal use and shared with everyone.
I accept donations, but only if people find it worth the use and want to give me something.
I accept 1 cent 1 million or nothing.

I think it was the wrong quoted post from metal, so please ...

frodus · Nov 27, 2019

For those building the SFX-100 actuators and are ready to purchase servos, apparently there's 2 options available from Master Jiang if you ask. One has a cord attached to motor, the other has a connector on the motor. I chose option B, and will update with pics when I receive them. Allows me to change out to shielded power cable at some point by just changing the cable out.

Ryan Korzyniowski · Nov 27, 2019

frodus said:
For those building the SFX-100 actuators and are ready to purchase servos, apparently there's 2 options available from Master Jiang if you ask. One has a cord attached to motor, the other has a connector on the motor. I chose option B, and will update with pics when I receive them. Allows me to change out to shielded power cable at some point by just changing the cable out.

View attachment 336431

Oh that looks nice. I wish I'd known about that a few weeks ago.

BluePotato00 · Nov 27, 2019

Mine and I think most people who have already built have the non-removable cables.

Paul Mullins · Nov 27, 2019

Heya guys

I'm getting errors when slicing the motor mount in PrusaSlicer 2.1.0

It says that it's auto-repaired them but is this something to be worried about?

Rollux · Nov 27, 2019

I think that’s because some slicers get artifacts in the motor mount near the top due to asking for so many walls etc and there ends up being more thickness to all the walls than the thickness of the part at certain points.
your slicer seems to alert you it has amended these issues, Cura doesn’t alert but does sort, and some don’t and get weird artifacts

Yakone26130 · Nov 27, 2019

HoiHman said:
Actually this time it's not only Codemasters, but also the developers of the telemetry apps are to blame. They all fully claim the port and do not let you change it in a simple and easy way. Port assignments are buried deep into the plugins.

The only program that does make it easy for user is Simhub, but for the Codemasters games Simhub requires the new telemetry output while all others only work with the old output. So you can't combine Simhub with the other 3rd party apps.

F1 2018 is worth it for me and i look forward to play the entire campaign during the F1 2019 season paralel to the races in real life. Even though it is not a full blown sim, which all the toys enabled, the F1 career mode is quite fun to experience. I'm (not) ashamed to say that i also enjoy the occasional flashback it's a welcome change from all the hardcore stuff i have been running lately.

I expect Dirt Rally 2 to have exactly the same telemetry output as F1 2018. If you only use OSW + Simfeedback you will probably have no problems at all using the standard telemetry provider.

Hey what is OSW?

Spikar · Nov 27, 2019

Paul Mullins said:
Heya guys

I'm getting errors when slicing the motor mount in PrusaSlicer 2.1.0

It says that it's auto-repaired them but is this something to be worried about?

View attachment 336461

Which printer? tried a different slicing program?

Insert Coin · Nov 27, 2019

Insert Coin said:
And if you hear creaking noises it may come from the motor coupling: the red plastic / rubbery 'gear' creaks, especially when you press 'stop' and the rig is going down the last centimeter. Spray a bit of PTFE on it and it's gone.

A follow up on my previous post about the creaking sound of the servos. The problem was solved, but came back lately on just one servo in a different form: it started to make repetitive scratching sounds when the servo made large movements, for example when playing a roller coaster sim (NoLimits 2, great fun, see my SimFeedback profile on Discord). It sounded like something was breaking so it worried me quite a bit. I took the servo motor off and it turned out the motor coupling was the problem: the metal parts of both sides of the coupling hit each other when turning, which causes the scratching sound. The aluminium even had turned black because of this. If you press the motor down when mounting it might compress the plastic ‘wheel’ and then the metal touches the other part of the coupling. This can make knocking, scratching sounds. It’s better to leave 1 mm of space between the two metal parts.
Use your phone with its flash light to take a closer look, it's easy to see if you need to unmount the servo motor for adjustment or not.

pass-low · Nov 27, 2019

Insert Coin said:
A follow up on my previous post about the creaking sound of the servos. The problem was solved, but came back lately on just one servo in a different form: it started to make repetitive scratching sounds when the servo made large movements, for example when playing a roller coaster sim (NoLimits 2, great fun, see my SimFeedback profile on Discord). It sounded like something was breaking so it worried me quite a bit. I took the servo motor off and it turned out the motor coupling was the problem: the metal parts of both sides of the coupling hit each other when turning, which causes the scratching sound. The aluminium even had turned black because of this. If you press the motor down when mounting it might compress the plastic ‘wheel’ and then the metal touches the other part of the coupling. This can make knocking, scratching sounds. It’s better to leave 1 mm of space between the two metal parts.
Use your phone with its flash light to take a closer look, it's easy to see if you need to unmount the servo motor for adjustment or not.
View attachment 336484

you have just help solved my clicking actuator

i remember when i striped it down and looked at the coupler there was the very slight black marking on the edge of a couple of teeth(i thought nothing of it at the time), so i have just re-adjusted the motor in situ and take care not to over tighten the bolts and my clicking has now gone. so if it returns i'll do a complete remove and reposition.

thank you sharing this information remember fellow DIY'rs if you tweak something for the better share it here as
someone else may also need that inf.

thenic123 · Nov 28, 2019

Yakone26130 said:
Hey what is OSW?

Open Sim Wheel. First generation of the direct drive servo wheels. They used argon or Ionicube with ioni hc controllers. Then it was Simucube then Simucube 2

username_random · Nov 28, 2019

Hi All, Just joined this forum to join this thread! New to sim racing so hope this is the right place to post.

I am keen to build an SFX-100 - is there an updated Aus specific shopping list or info on where to get parts? Cheers.

Tronicgr_6DOF · Nov 28, 2019

thenic123 said:
Open Sim Wheel. First generation of the direct drive servo wheels. They used argon or Ionicube with ioni hc controllers. Then it was Simucube then Simucube 2

Aren't they powering these servos with DC voltages?

Tzanido · Nov 28, 2019

Is anyone able to confirm that voltage can be adjusted within the parameters of the controllers for us NA guys? I reached out to the vendor on Aliexpress to send me the manual in english but figured I could get a faster answer asking here. (I know if we do not have a 220v outlet readily available we can use a step up/down converter but it does not make me feel super comfortable using one).

Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

metalnwood · Nov 28, 2019

Tzanido said:
Is anyone able to confirm that voltage can be adjusted within the parameters of the controllers for us NA guys? I reached out to the vendor on Aliexpress to send me the manual in english but figured I could get a faster answer asking here. (I know if we do not have a 220v outlet readily available we can use a step up/down converter but it does not make me feel super comfortable using one).

Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

Yes, there seem to be a few people doing this by just changing the parameters.

Ryan Korzyniowski · Nov 28, 2019

Tzanido said:
Is anyone able to confirm that voltage can be adjusted within the parameters of the controllers for us NA guys? I reached out to the vendor on Aliexpress to send me the manual in english but figured I could get a faster answer asking here. (I know if we do not have a 220v outlet readily available we can use a step up/down converter but it does not make me feel super comfortable using one).

Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

I have mine hooked up straight to 110. I've tested them but haven't attached them to the rig yet. In test mode they work fine. I've seen posts from other saying no problems.

See this post on how to configure to controllers: https://www.racedepartment.com/thre...controller-thread.168360/page-12#post-3020752

Tzanido · Nov 29, 2019

Thank you for the help guys, I really appreciate it

PEZZALUCIFER · Nov 29, 2019

username_random said:
Hi All, Just joined this forum to join this thread! New to sim racing so hope this is the right place to post.

I am keen to build an SFX-100 - is there an updated Aus specific shopping list or info on where to get parts? Cheers.

I'm in AUS and was able to source everything from AliExpress or ebay besides the the profile, thread inserts and tslot nuts.

I haven't assembled my actuators yet but i'll see what happens. lol

DHL seems to be the fastest postage method (if you can get it), some things coming as quickly as 4 days from china.

Just search aliexpress with the same name/specs from the other shopping lists..

Please check the specs before you order, however I'll dump some links to what I bought here.