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

 

[hazardpro]

Can someone please explain to me if/why we need to replace the motor cables with shielded ones?

thanks

 

[Black_rat]

Can someone please explain to me if/why we need to replace the motor cables with shielded ones?

thanks

EMI issues, I haven't bothered, worry about it if you have to IMO.

 

[hazardpro]

EMI issues, I haven't bothered, worry about it if you have to IMO.

Sorry for being think, IMO? EMI?

 

[cubex]

With other words, does the software never make the mistake of pulling one leg further then the opposite side?

Not sure what you mean by that. If you want pitch and roll movements, the actuators of course have to be set to different length. Otherwise you can have only vertical movement (heave). As the actuators are fixed to the rig they cannot be fixed also to the ground. That's why the distance of the points where the actuators touch the ground will always vary for pitch/roll. The greater the pitch/roll angle, the greater this distance will be.

 

[Black_rat]

Sorry for being think, IMO? EMI?

In My Opinion
electromagnetic interference

 

[MrSnoebel]

Not sure what you mean by that. If you want pitch and roll movements, the actuators of course have to be set to different length. Otherwise you can have only vertical movement (heave). As the actuators are fixed to the rig they cannot be fixed also to the ground. That's why the distance of the points where the actuators touch the ground will always vary for pitch/roll. The greater the pitch/roll angle, the greater this distance will be.

What I'm asking if it would be a problem if the feet are locked down to the ground. These Eluflex give no travel in the vertical way I think. To make this work the motion must be synchronized between the actuators.

You can still do all motions in any direction, but if you extend a leg, you need to do that opposite on the other side. Or together on the same side.. Does that make sense ?

My idea is to do this :

Gives me also the opportunity to mount the monitor to the frame on the ground.

Was planning to make a frame like this :

Adding them together :

Need a little more play with the monitor stands, but I think this could work.
(The little rack to the side is the pedal mount.)

 

[hazardpro]

In My Opinion
electromagnetic interference

Ah

showing my age

 

[hazardpro]

My rig is on a wooden floor. Without damping it sounded like a major thunderstorm, so I needed a good amount of damping. My rig is (from top to bottom) on the well-known four washing machine rubber feet (two screws under each foot prevent the feet from sliding off), which are on four wooden 10x10x0.5 cm plates, glued onto four Wagner MP-4E 10x10x2 vibration dampers. Those dampers are glued with double sided tape onto a kitchen worktop (186x63.5 cm, 3.8 cm thick, 30 Kg). The worktop is on six 10x10x4 cm rubber granulate blocks which dampen most of the vibration. I think about 50%, without losing much of the finer motion details because of the thick heavy plate. So it still isn't silent (that's impossible), but it's much better now.

View attachment 341776

View attachment 341777
View attachment 341779View attachment 341780

View attachment 341778

Experimenting with the granulate blocks learned using six 4 cm blocks dampens better than nine 2 cm blocks. And nineteen 2 cm blocks under the worktop are even worse. Six 4 cm blocks (two 2 cm blocks on top of each other) works best.

Previously I had the same feet + plates + Wagners onto 20x20x0.5 cm wooden plates, onto 20x20x2 cm thick foam. That dampened even more, but motion felt mushy, I didn't like that.

Like to see /know more about your seat belt mod

 

[FrankTheO2Tank]

Can someone please explain to me if/why we need to replace the motor cables with shielded ones?

thanks

It's for EMI issues, I'm in the process of replacing the cables right now. With the original cables, my VR headset and Button Box would become unresponsive for short periods of time when the SFX-100 system was moving a lot (due to larger pulses of electricity being used to move the actuators faster and further).

I replaced 2 of the cables yesterday and the issue was nearly completely gone. I fully expect both issues to be resolved once the other 2 cables are replaced.

 

[Insert Coin]

Like to see /know more about your seat belt mod

See here: https://www.racedepartment.com/threads/passive-seat-belt-tensioner-2-0-for-the-sfx-100.169217/

 

[hazardpro]

Are there STL files available to house the SFX board and Arduino?

 

[diablo2112]

Are there STL files available to house the SFX board and Arduino?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3523234

 

[anton_Chez]

The feet are never locked down to the ground, even if you house them in immovable cups. I tried this but didn't like it much. I might try again one day with a different method but for now my foot padding and profiles are causing very little movement at all. With the rig now on the floorboard as opposed to the carpet mat before, it's very easy to just pull it back to where I want it, maybe 10mm at most.

 

[Killg0reNL]

What I'm asking if it would be a problem if the feet are locked down to the ground. These Eluflex give no travel in the vertical way I think. To make this work the motion must be synchronized between the actuators.

View attachment 341834
You can still do all motions in any direction, but if you extend a leg, you need to do that opposite on the other side. Or together on the same side.. Does that make sense ?

My idea is to do this :

View attachment 341836

Gives me also the opportunity to mount the monitor to the frame on the ground.

Was planning to make a frame like this :
View attachment 341838

Adding them together :

View attachment 341840

Need a little more play with the monitor stands, but I think this could work.
(The little rack to the side is the pedal mount.)

What program do you use for designing this?
I got framedesigner, but that one isnt updated anymore.

 

[Black_rat]

Ah

showing my age

Hehe, I am older

 

[Jbixby]

What program do you use for designing this?
I got framedesigner, but that one isnt updated anymore.

maycad probably

 

[MrSnoebel]

maycad probably

Correct, using Maycad.

Ordered all the alu parts yesterday, can't wait to start building now

 

[Insert Coin]

Tip: set g-force effects of the games you are playing to zero, especially when using VR. I know it's a personal preference, but since your are really moving you don't want camera effects (camera shake) to exagerrate the movements. It might even induce motion sickness. In Content Manager for Assetto Corsa these settings can be found under "View & UI".

 

[hazardpro]

any ideas why I can’t upload jpeg files to this forum? Just says ‘uploaded file does not have an allowed extension’

 

[EsxPaul]

any ideas why I can’t upload jpeg files to this forum? Just says ‘uploaded file does not have an allowed extension’

That's happened to me every now and then. Sometimes changing the file extension to .jpg helps.