The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

[sjb266]

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:

• O-Ring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kit-419Pcs-O-Ring-O-Ring-Black-Rubber-32-Sizes-With-Case-3-50mm-W8D7/223152697816?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Sub breakout board - DB25 25pin Female Adapter RS-232 Serial Terminal Module Breakout Board Connector
• Emergency Stop - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reliable-Emergency-Stop-Push-Button-Box-600V-Switch-for-Elevator/192115082001?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Arduino Wiring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-pcs-Dupont-Cable-20cm-Jumper-Wire-for-Arduino-RPi-breadboard-AU-Stock/202436863098?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=502467628096&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Breadboard - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Solderless-Breadboard-400-Contacts-Tie-points-Universal-Available-New-lemon/123145741183?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Dub Cable - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-D...h=item3f6ace6403:g:038AAOSw9mpaSsU2:rk:1:pf:0
• Screw Shield for Arduino Leonardo - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Scr...h=item25a9d471a4:g:5BgAAOSwraJbc9rC:rk:1:pf:0
• Arduino Leonardo Replica - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIY-Eduino-Leonardo-Module-with-USB-Cable-for-Arduino-ATMEGA32U4-Blue-Black/132719951279?epid=916281063&hash=item1ee6b9bdaf:g:2QUAAOSw5iNbWv6b:rk:123f:

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

 

[BluePotato00]

Has anybody in America successfully completed this project? I'd like to ask them some questions about material sourcing and the 220v/120v issue. Many thanks!

 

[HugoB]

Managed to make a quick holder for my 2.5kg spool, didn't realize it was sooo big until it arrived but now I don't have to worry about a spool depleting overnight

 

[HugoB]

It fits!

(and it all works )

 

[AussieSim]

It fits!

(and it all works )

Looks smart ! Although you will probably find your kids' teddy bears and legos in there before long.

 

[Stevie_007]

 

[Stevie_007]

line filter fitted

 

[Insert Coin]

View attachment 278449

Did you use 40x80 extrusion for your frame? Most people use 40x120 at least or 40x160 for the base frame. Is 40x80 sturdy enough for the SFX100? Any flex?

 

[Stevie_007]

yes 80/40 i used 2 L brackets on side and one on top. and it is rock solid the sfx100 have no flex only thing that moves is my monitor, the rig also hasn't moved a mm on the floor also. my rig is from jcl ,

 

[C64]

yes 80/40 i used 2 L brackets on side and one on top. and it is rock solid the sfx100 have no flex only thing that moves is my monitor, the rig also hasn't moved a mm on the floor also. my rig is from jcl ,

To help stabilise the monitor you put "L" brackets on the frame that reach to the bottom corners of your monitor, you can then use a large piece of bluetak to bridge the gap. It's what I did with my monitor ( much smaller than yours )

 

[digitalmonk1973]

Has anybody in America successfully completed this project? I'd like to ask them some questions about material sourcing and the 220v/120v issue. Many thanks!

I would like to know this as well being in Canada.

 

[cprelot]

I would like to know this as well being in Canada.

I'm from Montreal (Canada) and everything work fine
you need a 20A 240v breaker with 12/2 electric wire addicted to your simulator only
I will post a video to prove if you need
I haven’t finish my build ( still printing part right now)
But I did test the servo Allready

If you live in a house where you can have a 240v line it’s fine it’s work
If not then you need to find another alternative option unfortunetely

I know you can find some 110v driver/servo some place
But I don’t recomanded it
They draw twice Amp curent witch you need at least 40-50amp line and they might run very hot or at worse they will not provide enought torque to lift the simulator
Perhaps someone did it but I don’t know

 

[BluePotato00]

I'm from Montreal (Canada) and everything work fine
you need a 20A 240v breaker with 12/2 electeic wire addicted to your simulator only
I will post a video to prove if you need
I haven’t finish my build ( still printing part right now)
But I did test the servo Allready

If you live in a house where you can have a 240v line it’s fine it’s work
If not then you need to find another alternative option unfurtunetely

I know you can find some 110v driver/servo some place
But I don’t recomanded it
They draw twice Amp curent witch you need at least 40-50amp line and they might run very hot or at worse they will not provide enought torque to lift the simulator
Perhaps someone did it but I don’t know

Thanks for the reply. Getting 240v to my rig is unfortunately not an option. Would plugging all 4 servos into this be an option? Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MPR44...olid=2RJTHLO4H7UVW&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[C64]

Thanks for the reply. Getting 240v to my rig is unfortunately not an option. Would plugging all 4 servos into this be an option? Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MPR44...olid=2RJTHLO4H7UVW&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

750w x 4 = 3000 w. So it should be more than enough.

 

[frankrizzo2]

I requested a quote on a 110v version and it wasn't much more in price. I too am looking at building a set but I don't want to have to run a 220v line for my sim. I would like it all to run on 110v so I hope that we can come up with a solution as I am very close to pulling the trigger on these.

I have a quote from aliexpress for $1138.50 for 4 of them shipped to the US in a 110v input version. What doesn't make sense to me is that you can by a voltage converter to run 220v on a 110v circuit without overloading the circuit but you can't run 110v input servo drives without drawing too much current?

 

[BluePotato00]

I requested a quote on a 110v version and it wasn't much more in price. I too am looking at building a set but I don't want to have to run a 220v line for my sim. I would like it all to run on 110v so I hope that we can come up with a solution as I am very close to pulling the trigger on these.

I have a quote from aliexpress for $1138.50 for 4 of them shipped to the US in a 110v input version. What doesn't make sense to me is that you can by a voltage converter to run 220v on a 110v circuit without overloading the circuit but you can't run 110v input servo drives without drawing too much current?

Thanks for sharing, Frank. Would you be willing to share what other items from the parts list you were able to source from American vendors and which were only available from the German vendors listed on the GitHub shopping list? Thanks!

 

[AlexP37]

Could someone help me with 3d printer settings, i have bought an anycubic i3 mega and i'm using Cura software. I never 3d printed before so its all new to me.
Where in Cura can i find the settings that are shown on https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/3D-Printing.

They use a different program that costs 150 dollars.

Noob question maybe.... but why werent the gcodes uploaded with the stl files ?

Thanks

 

[Stevie_007]

Could someone help me with 3d printer settings, i have bought an anycubic i3 mega and i'm using Cura software. I never 3d printed before so its all new to me.
Where in Cura can i find the settings that are shown on https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/3D-Printing.

They use a different program that costs 150 dollars.

Noob question maybe.... but why werent the gcodes uploaded with the stl files ?

Thanks

i printed my my stuff with cura, settings will vary i use petg for hotter temps these settings worked flawlessly for my on a cr10s

 

[AlexP37]

Started 3d printing, its looking good so far

 

[frankrizzo2]

Thanks for sharing, Frank. Would you be willing to share what other items from the parts list you were able to source from American vendors and which were only available from the German vendors listed on the GitHub shopping list? Thanks!

The motors are the only thing that I have looked into so far but as soon as I find out other sources for materials I will let you know. I'm looking to see if there are other servos that will work better for our electrical system

 

[C64]

Started 3d printing, its looking good so far

Looks good, for the other larger components I suggest you print 1 at a time, that way you only lose 1 print if something screws up. The critical part is the "slider" so would be worth doing a partial print and check that it will fit - note : you will need to dress/sand the section of "squish" ( it happens with the first few layers of most prints ) before checking the fit.