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

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

I can do all the printing for you Anton.. We can work it out..

anton_Chez · Dec 5, 2018

That's awesome mate. I am going to go back and have a read at what I need and get started on it. I think the ordering and ticking all the boxes bit is probably going to be the most frustrating for me. Always feeling like I've left something out.

Any links or tips you can give me on things you encountered would be massively appreciated.

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

I also made a start on my driver box.. thought i'd stick with the extrusion theme.. modelled up some corner connectors and printed them up.. going to get some panels laser cut and mount all the inputs on there them wire them to the drivers internally..

Pretty happy with the result

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

anton_Chez said:
That's awesome mate. I am going to go back and have a read at what I need and get started on it. I think the ordering and ticking all the boxes bit is probably going to be the most frustrating for me. Always feeling like I've left something out.

Any links or tips you can give me on things you encountered would be massively appreciated.

I'll PM you a list of everything you need... you can by-pass a lot of the stuff on there.. i'm about to make an order for some blank DB15's etc so I can wire some cables up for you to save having to use the breadboard ...

Chris_I · Dec 5, 2018

sjb266 said:
I'll PM you a list of everything you need... you can by-pass a lot of the stuff on there.. i'm about to make an order for some blank DB15's etc so I can wire some cables up for you to save having to use the breadboard ...

As you only need 7 wires to connect the Arduino to the driver you can use these: https://www.amazon.com/SF-Cable-DB2...qid=1544006904&sr=1-9&keywords=db25+male+rj45
+
https://www.amazon.com/d/Desktop-Ba...44006798&sr=8-7&keywords=arduino+screw+shield

Cut the connector from an ethernet cable and you are good to go. Much thinner, shorter and flexible cables then those bulky DB25 ones.

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

You should get into 3D printing @anton_Chez it's awesome!

I needed a new VESA mount with spacer for the rig.. knocked this up in Fusion 360 and printed it!

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

HoiHman said:
So who will be the first with the video Steven or Simon, come on make me regret i sold mine

haha! It won't be me.. I'm still waiting for parts for my driver box!

sjb266 · Dec 5, 2018

HugoB said:
Bummed by Fanatec’s announcement today that the DD is delayed again, to April next year.. Any OSW users here? How well does OSW work with the SFX100? Any grounding or EMI problems?

Forget that rubbish and buy a Simucube.. you've gone this far...!

anton_Chez · Dec 5, 2018

@sjb266 You're a saint mate. I'll get them ordered as soon as I get that PM. No need to muck about.

That 3D printing sure does look awesome but I just haven't got the energy to put into learning even more things right now. It will be a battle to find time to start and complete this project. I am aiming to be a semi competent driver by the end of summer and the more I do outside of the seat is less time in it.

I hope that the controllers don't have to take up as much room as that awesome profile mount you have there. I'm not cramped in my room down here but I really don't want to occupy any more space than I have to. I already have the OSW power box in the corner, I was hoping to have them semi stacked so they go vertically rather than taken up more floor.

ColinMac · Dec 5, 2018

Has anybody ordered all the kit to the UK yet ?

I'm looking for a 2019 project. And this is it!

I also might need to outsource the printing - I already have a 3D printer - its a crap one - but I'll not get away with buying another....

Steve D · Dec 5, 2018

A quick question re. the servos.

https://de.aliexpress.com/store/pro...r-3000-rpm-2-4-N-M-0/3223052_32844070107.html

At the bottom of the product spec is the following:

Please contact us if you need:
1. English Manual
2nd engine with brake
3. longer cables
4. MODBUS communication function for RS-232 and RS-485

I take it that the 2nd engine with brake isn't required but what is the Modbus communication feature?

Whatever it is

I understand that it isn't supported at the moment anyway but it is recommended in case it is in the future.

So....

1. Should I get it if possible?
2. Will it affect anything or complicate matters if I do request it on the basis that it isn't supported?

Cheers,

Steve

HugoB · Dec 5, 2018

Steve D said:
A quick question re. the servos.

https://de.aliexpress.com/store/pro...r-3000-rpm-2-4-N-M-0/3223052_32844070107.html

At the bottom of the product spec is the following:

Please contact us if you need:
1. English Manual
2nd engine with brake
3. longer cables
4. MODBUS communication function for RS-232 and RS-485

I take it that the 2nd engine with brake isn't required but what is the Modbus communication feature?

Whatever it is I understand that it isn't supported at the moment anyway but it is recommended in case it is in the future.

So....

1. Should I get it if possible?
2. Will it affect anything or complicate matters if I do request it on the basis that it isn't supported?

Cheers,

Steve

In the German forum it has been advised to ask for

- English manual
- MODBUS (for future compatibility)

I think it’s a couple bucks more, but maybe you can use it in the future. You will get an extra order with payment request looking like this:

To increase the quantity about 33 times so you get the right amount

Cables are plenty long enough, unless you want to have the controllers in another room

Steve D · Dec 5, 2018

HugoB said:
I was also a bit confused by the wiring diagrams, but once you get all the parts and see what they mean, it's actually really simple. These D-Sub breakout boards:

..have numbered ports. Those are the numbers at 'DB25 PIN' in the diagram on the GitHub page: https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki/Electronics

Highlighted in red

The rest of the numbers are the ports on your Arduino Leonardo.

If you use an Arduino screw shield like this:

It's easy to connect with any wire you can find. These numbers are the one highlighted in blue in the GitHub diagram:

So for ALL motors, 5V is the 5V pin on the Arduino, and pin number 9 on the D-Sub breakout board. For GND it's GND on the Arduino and 5, 10 and 14 on the D-Sub breakout board. That can be solved like this:

The rest are just numbered accordingly: STEP for Motor 1 is port 8 etc. on the Arduino and port 3 for all Motors.
I recommend Wago connectors, so you don't need any soldering or crimping, just insert wire and it holds very strong and is protected.

I used this image from another dude in the German forum where you can see everything very clearly, to check if you did it correctly:

And that's it! It took me about an hour to attach all the wires, but I checked it about 10 times, before I tried it out on the motors with power.

The assembly of the actuators is also really easy and can be done in one afternoon. The longest part is waiting for all the 3D parts to be finished.... But if you are going to outsource that to a printing company, you can start straight away. I hope you get a good price though, because all the parts combined take around 8 full 24 hour days to print at maximum speed. For me, it was cheaper to buy a printer, but maybe you get good hourly rates. Also, I wanted a printer so I could print replacement parts very fast when needed. Basically, like HoiHman said, the advantage of these SFX100 is that you will have no down time: you know how to build them, so when something breaks, you can mend it yourself (keep some spare parts maybe).

@Hugo, I'm starting to plan the wiring and have a quick question about Arduino pins A0 (Motor1), A1(Motor2), A2 (Motor3) and A3 (Motor4) please.

I notice in the clearer, second picture you provided that only A0 is used on the Arduino and there is no wiring from A1, A2 and A3. A0 connects to a WAGO along with the feed from the Kill Switch, which then connects to a second WAGO, which connects the 4 wires, (white in the image), to pin 6 on each of the D-Sub breakout boards.

No problem with that at all but can I confirm that A1, A2 and A3 are not used despite what the Arduino wiring diagram says.

Or am I missing something?

Cheers,

Steve

HugoB · Dec 5, 2018

Steve D said:
@Hugo, I'm starting to plan the wiring and have a quick question about Arduino pins A0 (Motor1), A1(Motor2), A2 (Motor3) and A3 (Motor4) please.

I notice in the clearer, second picture you provided that only A0 is used on the Arduino and there is no wiring from A1, A2 and A3. A0 connects to a WAGO along with the feed from the Kill Switch which then connects to a second WAGO, which also connects the 4 wires, (white in the image), to pin 6 on each of the D-Sub breakout boards.

No problem with that at all but can I confirm that A1, A2 and A3 are not used despite what the Arduino wiring diagram says.

Or am I missing something?

Cheers,

Steve

You are correct, it was mentioned somewhere by the designer Saxxon, that A0 gives the same signal as all the other A’s, namely ‘motor enable’ so you can just bundle all the wires from A0. If this signal is cut, the motors will stop.

Steve D · Dec 5, 2018

HugoB said:
You are correct, it was mentioned somewhere by the designer Saxxon, that A0 gives the same signal as all the other A’s, namely ‘motor enable’ so you can just bundle all the wires from A0. If this signal is cut, the motors will stop.

That's brilliant! This is all new to me so just wanted to be certain.

Thank you.

HoiHman · Dec 5, 2018

I just uploaded the English Manual, you can download it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/0ilmy1ge6vyzm80/Manual+Servo+SFX100.pdf

HugoB · Dec 5, 2018

HoiHman said:
I just uploaded the English Manual, you can download it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/0ilmy1ge6vyzm80/Manual+Servo+SFX100.pdf

Thanks Henk! This part is interesting...

If that’s a definitive limit, mounting them to a rig could be a problem.. I’ve never seen something like that specifically mentioned in a device manual..

But I assume that’s just general liability avoidance

Antracing · Dec 5, 2018

ColinMac said:
Has anybody ordered all the kit to the UK yet ?

I'm looking for a 2019 project. And this is it!

I also might need to outsource the printing - I already have a 3D printer - its a crap one - but I'll not get away with buying another....

Hi Colin,

Yes ive ordered all the bits - just waiting for the servos to arrive, if you need any help just ask.

Mr Latte · Dec 5, 2018

Antracing said:
Hi Colin,

Yes ive ordered all the bits - just waiting for the servos to arrive, if you need any help just ask.

Keen to see if some UK fellas can help each other.
I need to build an 8020 frame section that is to be a different size to the current design. I also need it to support an internal steel tubing section my seat/pedals will be attached too.
This section is to have its own hi-end isolation and could be centrally mounted within the 8020 framework but is primarily desired for the tactile being used (10x large BK and 6x TST units) as it routes their energy to specific body regions.

What I would like to sort is the dimensions of 8020 I need and also if the upright 8020 sections for the servos can all be ordered in black?