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

 

[PetroVitallini]

Hey a thought @PetroVitallini that would be very interesting... we could compare what they're capable of visually.

Not sure if you saw this video; but basically I setup a camera with a 25mm lens APS-C (so around 35mm give or take) a bit back from the rig on a tripod. Then using the ASR Ferrari 643 Mod with stock settings bar slicks I think, went around the Nurburgring GP circuit. I could find the upper limits of what I can push the rig through and then if you did the same we could do a side by side comparison. Have you got a good DSLR/Video camera and tripod? If you do a similar video I could take all the raw videos and put them into a side by side sequence.

Forward to the 2min 30sec mark

Simply put - yes this is SimFeedback tuning / which track / which car / which car setup. Might be a bit of a dark art if you really want to go overboard with it. I wouldn't say at least default profiles in ACC/AC have any issue. iRacing on the first handful of goes I've had with it felt off, but that's really only 15mins worth of time so that maybe an unfair comment.

Hello!

I don’t have a camera, but it could be done with a phone perhaps? I’m away at work so won’t be able try before Monday. That said, if a comparison is to be made it might be a good idea to use the same actual total travel of the actuator and allocation of forces. The sfx 100 is 10 cm travel? I have 15 cm with safety limit set at % 95 so 14,25 cm. through axis allocation I set for sway, surge, pitch, roll and heave I believe I run at about 11 cm of total possible of the 14.25. If I could get a a total movement possible in cm and percentage used for the different DOFs it would be more comparable, no? Of course tuning of the software would create some differences.

Just a thought, I would assume different of types actuator feet would be able to have an effect on the harshness of the movement. Do you guys get different sensations if you place directly on the floor as opposed to using extra pads to save your floors?

 

[Requis]

Hi guys, for whoever cares the SFX-100 logo is available on discord, smalltalk channel.

Do you have a link? I haven't been to the discord haven't been paying attention to that part as I am still building Thank you!

 

[TimothyDDX]

For those who are outside the EU looking to order, I contacted Kinetik about ordering from them and received the response:

Thank you for your e-mail. Our Online-Shop www.kinetikmsystem.de is just started. Our team is at this moment working with high pressure on the translation of the online-shop.

We will have all shipping details into the Online Shop at Tuesday 22. January 2019.
Please try then again. Thank you for your kind understand. You're welcome ​

 

[HugoB]

Barry's Sim Racing Garage videos of his D-Box setup appear like the rig is bouncing nicely on suspension. The videos with SFX-100 rigs look more harsh like the rig is reflecting a car with no suspension on tires made of stone! Is this simply an issue of adding more smoothing in SimFeedback?

I too love the high speed and high detailed capability of SimFeedback. I love to feel the road texture and rumble strips in Full HD And since I’ve got the SFX100’s I’ve consistently chosen laser scanned tracks and stiff suspension racing cars to get as much feedback from the road as possible.

But this is a personal choice, not a limitation of the motion system. If I change the max speed or acceleration of the motor output, all movements will take longer to change direction and travel slower, this way a softer, slower suspension can easily be simulated.

That is the benefit of having such a capable motion system, you can choose if you like to simulate any kind of suspension. I don’t believe having this possibility is in any way a negative? It’s like having a DD wheel, you can simulate fast, harsh steering wheels or slow, soft ones, you can add as much dampening as you like to get it perfoming similar to a belt driven wheel.

But most people tend to demand the max performance of their system, not hamper it, that’s why so many people enjoy the full speed of the SFX100 actuators with the very capable SimFeedback software. And that’s why you see so many videos of people running Group C cars on Sebring or Nordschleife It’s kind of fun to feel evey bump, try it yourself!

 

[AlexP37]

Do you have a link? I haven't been to the discord haven't been paying attention to that part as I am still building Thank you!

Uploaded it to thingiverse but i have to wait 24 hours before it can be shared.

 

[primi]

...there really is no other option than an 8020 aluminum frame.

- it is MUCH more rigid than any steel tube frame could ever be. This is important if you don't want the FFB and SFX100 motion effects to be lost in flex of the frame.
- it is endlessly customizable, there is no limit to what components you can mount.
- you can change the driving position to whatever exotic driving style you prefer.
- you can mount any seat you want and any pedal and DD wheel you will ever get in the future.
- and the most important: you can mount the SFX100 actuators in a couple of minutes with some angled brackets.

Thank you HugoB (and others) for your reply. I can see how rigidity would be an advantage. And that leads me to another question. You have your rig directly on the ground (as most do I suppose). I'm assuming it doesn't do much damage or perhaps you don't care if it does, but should one be concerned about damaging the floor - does it make a difference if you put a carpet beneath the legs? Does it dampen the experience in any way do you think? I mean the movement from those actuators surely stays the same however the softness of the floor could perhaps have an impact?

 

[BluePotato00]

Thank you HugoB (and others) for your reply. I can see how rigidity would be an advantage. And that leads me to another question. You have your rig directly on the ground (as most do I suppose). I'm assuming it doesn't do much damage or perhaps you don't care if it does, but should one be concerned about damaging the floor - does it make a difference if you put a carpet beneath the legs? Does it dampen the experience in any way do you think? I mean the movement from those actuators surely stays the same however the softness of the floor could perhaps have an impact?

The plans call for those rubber feet you put under the legs of your clothes washer/dryer under each of the four actuator feet. They should protect hard floors (tile, laminate, hardwood) just fine, but they might cause some permanent divots in a high pile carpet due to the weight of our rigs. Mine keeps getting heavier and heavier!

I purchased these:
https://www.amazon.com/Ideaworks-JB6368-Anti-Vibration-Pads/dp/B008GUYZWK

 

[BluePotato00]

I admit it's a first world problem, but my Kinetic order had a scheduled delivery date of yesterday, but it was sent to the wrong hub and now has no delivery date listed.

My Kinetic order made it all the way from Germany to San Francisco, where it cleared customs. Then it was transferred to USPS with a scheduled delivery date of Monday, January 14. The package made it to my state of Arizona where it was mis-sent to the wrong city and had no tracking updates for more than 72 hours! Had to open a case with USPS but they finally found it and it's out for delivery today!

 

[HugoB]

My Kinetic order made it all the way from Germany to San Francisco, where it cleared customs. Then it was transferred to USPS with a scheduled delivery date of Monday, January 14. The package made it to my state of Arizona where it was mis-sent to the wrong city and had no tracking updates for more than 72 hours! Had to open a case with USPS but they finally found it and it's out for delivery today!

Guard the door and catch that packet!

 

[Requis]

My Kinetic order made it all the way from Germany to San Francisco, where it cleared customs. Then it was transferred to USPS with a scheduled delivery date of Monday, January 14. The package made it to my state of Arizona where it was mis-sent to the wrong city and had no tracking updates for more than 72 hours! Had to open a case with USPS but they finally found it and it's out for delivery today!

LOL...I feel yer pain brotha! love the Kirk video thats awesome...make sure when you do get to building take yer time lol...I tried to rush through and kept going back to the github list to get grounded on each step as I didn't want to build a vacuum cleaner like Anton (Sorry Anton) could't help myself lol
Avoided a couple of mistakes just by going back over each step... Good luck with yer Build! Look forward to seeing your progress next week when I get back!

 

[Requis]

but should one be concerned about damaging the floor - does it make a difference if you put a carpet beneath the legs? Does it dampen the experience in any way do you think? I mean the movement from those actuators surely stays the same however the softness of the floor could perhaps have an impact?

What ever you put on the floor should not impact the experience near as I can tell, the actuators will do what they do which is move the Rig around. With that being said we are putting down rubber mats on our basement concrete floor. For 3 reasons 1 - protect the floor, 2 to give Simulator area the Car rubber smell ( Black Gym Matts have a similar smell to car tires, 3) Sound absorption ( rig bouncing etc.)
Hope that helps?

Cheers,

Requis

 

[Requis]

Painted Pillars Ferrari Rosso Corsa 2004 Don't recall what the PPG number was I should have asked. Not powder Coated, Base primer, paint and Clear automotive coat.@AlexP37 Thanks Alex for the Logo going to try printing it with some silver and Black PLA, see what happens.

 

[AlexP37]

Thingiverse link to sfx 100 logo

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3362699

 

[Talkwrench]

Check you out, painted Ferrari rosso they’ll look awesome

So I ordered all the bits excluding the ball screws from Emily over a week ago, initially good communications but tried contracting her for the last two days to see how far off my shipment is and nothing. Anyone else had anything ship from her in the last few days? I was really hoping to avoid the Chinese New Year shut down as nothing happens for weeks when it kicks in.

 

[sjb266]

Check you out, painted Ferrari rosso they’ll look awesome

So I ordered all the bits excluding the ball screws from Emily over a week ago, initially good communications but tried contracting her for the last two days to see how far off my shipment is and nothing. Anyone else had anything ship from her in the last few days? I was really hoping to avoid the Chinese New Year shut down as nothing happens for weeks when it kicks in.

What's your name?

She did ask me yesterday about an order for Robert Hodaszi - not many here use their names so I told her i'd investigate..

 

[Todd Pakiz]

Check you out, painted Ferrari rosso they’ll look awesome

So I ordered all the bits excluding the ball screws from Emily over a week ago, initially good communications but tried contracting her for the last two days to see how far off my shipment is and nothing. Anyone else had anything ship from her in the last few days? I was really hoping to avoid the Chinese New Year shut down as nothing happens for weeks when it kicks in.

I had emails with her last night about my order. They originally sent me the wrong nuts. They are replacing both the nuts & lead screws. I don't have a tracking number yet, but that usually takes a day or 2. I'm in Minnesota/USA.

 

[frankrizzo2]

I had emails with her last night about my order. They originally sent me the wrong nuts. They are replacing both the nuts & lead screws. I don't have a tracking number yet, but that usually takes a day or 2. I'm in Minnesota/USA.

Hey I'm not too far from you. I live in Minot, North Dakota. Did you end up wiring a 220v outlet in or did you go the route of the inverter?

I placed an order with Emily a couple weeks ago and got a tracking number on the 14th for DHL but all it says is "shipping information recieved". How long has it been taking everyone to get that order in the US? These are the parts I ordered first and they are the last ones that I'm waiting on unfortunately.

 

[Requis]

I placed an order with Emily a couple weeks ago and got a tracking number on the 14th for DHL but all it says is "shipping information recieved". How long has it been taking everyone to get that order in the US? These are the parts I ordered first and they are the last ones that I'm waiting on unfortunately.

My order came two weeks later. to clarify almost 1 month from order date. 2weeks to get to DHL posting, then 2 weeks to come across the pond.

 

[MADShootStuff]

My Kinetic order made it all the way from Germany to San Francisco, where it cleared customs. Then it was transferred to USPS with a scheduled delivery date of Monday, January 14. The package made it to my state of Arizona where it was mis-sent to the wrong city and had no tracking updates for more than 72 hours! Had to open a case with USPS but they finally found it and it's out for delivery today!

Glad to hear it! Yours took about 3 weeks right?

What did your tracking history look like? My last update (attached) was 5 weeks ago...(Edit: 4 weeks - was counting from when I paid!)

I've emailed both info@kinetk, Norman, and DHL Paket (also filling out the contact forms on DHL Paket and Kinetik websites) and haven't heard a thing from anyone all week...

 

[PetroVitallini]

Sounds like a resolution issue.

Your servo motor/encoder should be able to drive a cnc machine.
Our encoders have 10,000 ppr (pulse per round). You can calculate the potential resolution by dividing pitch by ppr.
So I assume no issue here.

I do not know the resolution of the signal that goes from simtools to your motor controller or from the controller to the servo driver.

Vibrations are made by the servo controller.
So your software and controller need to support it.
We can do some vibrations but not like DBOX.
DBox is in its own League.

Hello!

I’m currently communicating with prosimu to get some correct specifications on the actuators. It was speculated on the xsimulator forums that the signal from simtools to the motor controller was 8-bit. A member over there said that he felt a difference between 8 and 16 bit on his own DIY actuators.

Thank you for your reply. I was wondering how to word this enquiry and your questions to me helped me formulate a meaningful question to prosimu.

Now I think I will back of from further questions as to not fill this thread with non-sfx 100 stuff.