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

Furnace Inferno · Jul 14, 2020

jkn87 said:
Yup I even detached the estop so now there is no estop

Won’t work with no estop as then the loop wouldn’t be complete. If you’ve connected both ends of the wire of the e-stop to complete the circuit and it’s still not working then you’d know it’s definitely not that.

jkn87 · Jul 14, 2020

Mcorp said:
do you have a grounded power connection????? i had the same problem when i had no grounded power.

yeah bro i got it. in fact nothing changed since a week ago in my setup.

jkn87 · Jul 14, 2020

Furnace Inferno said:
Won’t work with no estop as then the loop wouldn’t be complete. If you’ve connected both ends of the wire of the e-stop to complete the circuit and it’s still not working then you’d know it’s definitely not that.

oh man yes that was it! i plugged again the estop and now it works! i dunno why it didn't work initially with the estop, provably i missed something.

thanks

jkn87 · Jul 14, 2020

Do you guys hear the high pitch noise from the motors? I hear it quite a lot. Of course if I am playing then there is other sounds from the game so I won't hear the high pitch

Freeon · Jul 15, 2020

jkn87 said:
Do you guys hear the high pitch noise from the motors? I hear it quite a lot. Of course if I am playing then there is other sounds from the game so I won't hear the high pitch

Yes. It's a well now fact that these motors emit a high pitch sound. They are not design for residential use. I only hear it until I put my headphones on. It was still annoying at first but have gotten kind of use to it now. And don't hear it for long. Once turned on I launch the game, put on vr headset and then headphones.

Lars Stjernstrøm · Jul 16, 2020

I have my drivers inside a rack, and can hardly hear them.

Freeon · Jul 16, 2020

The drivers don't make the noise. the motors do. I think because of the frequencies some people hear it more than others.

jkn87 · Jul 16, 2020

hi guys i got a problem: today is the first time i attempted to play the finished opensfx. first time i fire the system all works okey. then i go to change the rpm parameters on the controllers and i think i ****ed up with some numbers while on pn..bla bla in one of the controllers.

the thing is one controller has a weird number on the display: AL-09. i don't know what it means (i found in a users guide that it is AL--09 The encoder abnormal) but this controller is not sending info to the motor. when i startup simfeedback this motor starts moving slowly and weakly and never stops but it is so weak signal that i can stop the movement of the motor with my fingers (motor is unmounted of course).
This motor is not getting game telemetry but others are fine.

i think i somehow messed with the electronic of the controller when configing it so any idea how to "reset" the electronics? or any other idea?

of course i tried unplugging and plugging, swapping controllers etc and the conclussion is that controller is not working okey.

i attatch picture of code and a video youtube

edit: i found more info on the users guide of the motors but is of little help. i copy what's written on the AL09 CODE information:
1： Check whether the motor encoder wiring is connected to the drive. (checked, is ok. i tried using another controller and the motor worked ok)
2： Check whether the motor encoder interface virtual welding, short circuit, or fall off, the encoder the power cord is normal connection. (i don't understand too well what they are saying but as i told you i plugged the motor to another controller and it was okey)
3: Check the encoder voltage (5 v + / - 5%). (encoder line is long, need to pay special attention to) . (i dunno what i should check here. how do i check encoder voltage? the encoder is within the motor well actually at the bottom of it)

SOLVED: ****ing ****. solved it!!! i started comparing numbers in pn... fn... dn... bla bla bla till i found one damn different value that i somehow changed by error when playing with the RPM values!!!! my god im so relieved!!

slikk66 · Jul 16, 2020

Freeon said:
The drivers don't make the noise. the motors do. I think because of the frequencies some people hear it more than others.

I dont hear it at all :/ I'm running at 110v but admittedly my hearing isn't stellar. But, I've not had anyone ever ask or mention it and there have been many users young and old.

Moxley6969 · Jul 17, 2020

Freeon said:
The drivers don't make the noise. the motors do. I think because of the frequencies some people hear it more than others.

Err No.

Freeon · Jul 17, 2020

Moxley6969 said:
Err No.

Actually I just read the discord info again and looks like your right, however like slikk66 i don't hear anything from my drives. I do however hear a small high frequency noise from the motors. The drives are far from the rig in a cabinet in front of me and I hear the noise coming from the back of me. Presumably the rear motors. I also saw someone (I believe on here) that made custom enclosures to cover his motors to stop the noise. So looks like I'm not the only one.

jkn87 · Jul 19, 2020

well the xperience so far is AMAZING. the combo of a platform mover for pitch roll and heave with seat mover for sway and surge is truly mindblowing.
question: how the hell can i install nolimits2 pluging? i downloaded the pluging and i dunno where to extract it exactly. also my simfeedback is the free version. am i missing much stuff sticking with the free version?
thanks!

Moxley6969 · Jul 19, 2020

jkn87 said:
well the xperience so far is AMAZING. the combo of a platform mover for pitch roll and heave with seat mover for sway and surge is truly mindblowing.

Agreed, Im so glad i kept my Seat mover and retrofitted it to SFX setup.

jkn87 · Jul 21, 2020

Finally this bad boy is completely finished.

Furnace Inferno · Jul 22, 2020

Why are there large gaps between your 3D printed motor mount and main actuator housing? Those should be flush.

jkn87 · Jul 22, 2020

Furnace Inferno said:
Why are there large gaps between your 3D printed motor mount and main actuator housing? Those should be flush.

My coupling shaft is 2mm longer than it should be so I added spacers to the motor mount

Furnace Inferno · Jul 22, 2020

jkn87 said:
My coupling shaft is 2mm longer than it should be so I added spacers to the motor mount

Presumably no extra force on them, I’d be a bit worried if there was more twisting force but thinking about it, it’s unlikely as it is just the motor mount.

jkn87 · Jul 22, 2020

Yeah it's totally fine mate.

Furnace Inferno said:
Presumably no extra force on them, I’d be a bit worried if there was more twisting force but thinking about it, it’s unlikely as it is just the motor mount.