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

 

[HoiHman]

Someone added traction loss:

This one of you guys?

 

[Steve D]

You have that spare actuator for a reason Henk!

 

[sjb266]

Simulating traction loss is a tricky thing.. owing to the fact that it’s set up to pivot from the same point for each instance.. and does not (the new NL system aside) account for 4 wheel drift/slide...

The weight transfer effect of the traction loss on the SFX system is already surprisingly effective.. adding a dedicated traction loss axis is, for me, a case of diminishing returns... cool though!

 

[anton_Chez]

I agree with Simon. I was finally putting in a few laps yesterday, actuators only. The car was drifting sideways and I could swear that I could feel the forces coming away from me in that very unique way without the axis physically turning itself. Combined with a little wheel slide tactile, be it from dedicated units or the actuators themselves and then adding in the V3 and it's voodoo version of yaw simulation and I think the effort, cost and added movement is probably asking for trouble. Not only that but using a DD wheel and VR you really have all bases covered. The wheel slide tactile is pretty cool when you tune it to the right hz. It gives that skidding feeling of scrubbing rubber rather than just pointless vibration for vibration sake.

I'll definitely be looking into the active harness tensioner when the bloke over at xsimulator has released his new model or he has some clearing stock of the old one. Pretty good investment I reckon.

By the way I'm sitting here still feeling the motion in my body after yesterday. Reminds me of the day I was surfing in pretty big waves for hours at a time. I could feel myself moving all that night.

I've still got it now though!

 

[MADShootStuff]

Actually, I went back and translated a conversation from the comments on that video. It seems the poster thinks the Simfeedback system is sufficient and doesn't run the TL module anymore. It was through Google translate so it may have been a rough translation but it think that was the general idea of it.

 

[MADShootStuff]

Jeez, this is getting amusingly frustrating haha
Now when I send email to Kinetik (info@ or either or Norman's addresses) none of the messages are being delivered.

554 5.7.1 <insert email here( all 3)>: Relay access denied...

And I've tried from two accounts to make sure it's not me...

 

[Mascot]

Does this spec and these prices from Emily seem correct? I was surprised at $90 for delivery to the UK. Note I only need these items, I have the others that she normally provides.

 

[Chris Sellars]

Hi guys,
First post here awesome thread. I have a quick question, my order is with Emily but she is querying the nut on the ball screw L=50 from the drawing saying she has had a complaint that its too long. I'm thinking its fine just double checking?

 

[anton_Chez]

@Mascot This is exactly what I ordered and everything came as expected. I mentioned Simon to her and she seemed to be familiar with the orders that were being placed for our purposes. There would be quite a few now.

@Chris Sellars Not sure about all the drawings, but like I said above I just copy and pasted the wiki shopping list and confirmed that my friend Simon had sent me and I wanted exactly the order he got and everything came pretty much perfect.

After I started building, well, different story......

@MADShootStuff I understand you're frustration. I had the same. I never bothered to chase it up though and just waited until it arrived. Like I've said before I'd allow 4 weeks from placing the order before being worried. Of course if there is something wrong in between it would be nice to have it fixed sooner rather than waiting a month to find out they forgot to process the delivery.

I've been in contact with Norman once, regarding payment. That was pretty straight forward and I never had an email not replied to or not sent.

 

[Mascot]

Thanks @anton_Chez , just wanted to check.

One further query for UK buyers from Emily: did you get hit with import tax/duties, and if so, how much was it?

 

[anton_Chez]

Speaking of that, someone else asked about the servo's and import duties on them. In Australia, depending where you buy from now, goods under $1000 AUD are not hit with sales tax or import duties. Our contact at Ali Express kindly sent the packages a week apart, separate with 2 servo's in each to avoid and extra fees. For everything else, it was under the limit so we paid nothing extra for any of the parts.

 

[Chris Sellars]

The link from the shopping list on GitHub says 42 and that's one of the options Emily is giving me. Has anyone else had the option. She does say Simon ordered the 50mm nut. Not sure if its critical to the function of the actuator.

 

[Mascot]

The link from the shopping list on GitHub says 42 and that's one of the options Emily is giving me. Has anyone else had the option. She does say Simon ordered the 50mm nut. Not sure if its critical to the function of the actuator.

Yeah, i just had this query from Emily:

We have a customer recommed by Simon said the nut L=50mm on attached nut drawing is long for him,but we sent to the Simon's nut L=50mm which is ok for Simon.
We have another ball screw nut length L=42mm, so do you want L=50mm or 42mm

Help!

 

[jimbraj]

Yeah, i just had this query from Emily:

We have a customer recommed by Simon said the nut L=50mm on attached nut drawing is long for him,but we sent to the Simon's nut L=50mm which is ok for Simon.
We have another ball screw nut length L=42mm, so do you want L=50mm or 42mm

Help!

I’m stuck at the same issue. Is it 50mm or 42.

 

[jimbraj]

The original site posted on the shopping list has it listed as 42mm. So I’m assuming it’s 42
https://www.rc-letmathe.de/CNC-Mechanik/Kugelumlaufspindel-mit-Mutter-1605---verschiedene-Laengen

 

[metalnwood]

If you guys have already printed your sliders, then measure the depth of the bore where the ballnnut goes in.

Looking at one of mine, which I didnt print but made using a couple dimensions supplied by saxxon, you could not fit the 50mm ballnut in there, only the 42.

 

[C64]

If you guys have already printed your sliders, then measure the depth of the bore where the ballnnut goes in.

Looking at one of mine, which I didnt print but made using a couple dimensions supplied by saxxon, you could not fit the 50mm ballnut in there, only the 42.

The depth of the printed part bore is 32mm... which indicates that 42mm is the correct length for the part.

 

[anton_Chez]

Nice work guys thanks for helping clear it up. I never had that question. I literally copy pasted the items, paid the money and they came perfectly a couple of weeks later. Follow up email from Emily and everything. So very good experience all round.

 

[HoiHman]

I immediately checked my spare spindle which i also ordered from aliexpress. Turns out i was lucky and ordered the right one.

 

[Wmacky]

Well this is confusing? Why would Simon order the 50mm nut? What has everyone else got that requested the Simon order?

I'll have to check mine when I get home,