The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

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
 
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Works fine. I don't run the system at full-strength (I use Simtools + Thanos controller on my system, FYI). I think if you did 100% raw, unfiltered output, this may shake the screen beyond a reasonable level. I've had it hard mounted for about 2 months now, with no issues.
Can you by any chance take some pictures how yours mounting solution looks like with that widescreen?
Also going to mount mine and any advice would be appriciated. Thanks.
 
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Work in progress draft 1 rig design.

vFWfrdH.jpg

BfAoZdM.jpg


300 mm movement between seat and pedal box.
150 mm seat, 150mm pedals.
All using ITEM components.
https://product.item24.de/en/products/product-catalogue/products/mb-building-kit-system-1001009411/

Still need to add in shifter mount and keyboard tray etc.
Nonlinear Static Stress analysis done to check that monitor can be mounted as above.
Happy to share plans if anyone is interested. Should be done in next couple of days.
 
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Looks really nice. You might want to consider mounting the front actuators closer to your seat. The more you can place the actuators into a “square” arrangement, the more symmetrical your forces will be, not to mention you get a wider range of pitch/surge with more closely spaced front-to-rear mounting. Also, the wheel seems a bit high to me? Really nice work here, good job.
 
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Looks good, but the wheel looks a little too straight on.
Take a seat in your own car (or anyones) and take a look at the pitch of the steering wheel.
In fact go one better still and use a spirit level to work it out and set your to the same (or similar).
I had mine straight on and it didn't feel natural/comfortable at all until I moved it.

As diablo2112 also said, move your front actuators in so the distance between them (centre to centre) is around 100cm.
 
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Work in progress draft 1 rig design.
Nice drawings !

I have annotated a drawing with some comments. Getting your seating position s low as practical relative to the actuators will help a lot with feeling "in" the car rather than "on top" of it.

Other comments are suggestions that will significantly reduce flexing in your rig, especially on the wheel mount / monitor mount.

If you are getting your 100x100 from ITEM then worth getting them to quote on tapping the holes - saves the cost of a tap and a tedious job.

rig design comments.png
 
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Thanks for the feedback gentlemen!

Looks really nice. You might want to consider mounting the front actuators closer to your seat. The more you can place the actuators into a “square” arrangement, the more symmetrical your forces will be, not to mention you get a wider range of pitch/surge with more closely spaced front-to-rear mounting. Also, the wheel seems a bit high to me? Really nice work here, good job.

SQUARE FORMAT: That makes total sense. Thanks for the info on that. +1
Thanks @diablo2112

Looks good, but the wheel looks a little too straight on.
Take a seat in your own car (or anyones) and take a look at the pitch of the steering wheel.
In fact go one better still and use a spirit level to work it out and set your to the same (or similar).
I had mine straight on and it didn't feel natural/comfortable at all until I moved it.

As diablo2112 also said, move your front actuators in so the distance between them (centre to centre) is around 100cm.

Yeah, the Fanatec motor mount arms that I intend to use have a fair amount of adjustability, including pitch angle. However, after you mentioned this, I realized that I hadn't included enough space to mount the DD low enough to angle it up. So good catch there! Thanks @ThugUK

Nice drawings !

I have annotated a drawing with some comments. Getting your seating position s low as practical relative to the actuators will help a lot with feeling "in" the car rather than "on top" of it.

Other comments are suggestions that will significantly reduce flexing in your rig, especially on the wheel mount / monitor mount.

If you are getting your 100x100 from ITEM then worth getting them to quote on tapping the holes - saves the cost of a tap and a tedious job.

View attachment 324291

Some great points there!
I only just saw this now, after doing a revision ... :-D
Ill implement the changes you suggest and post up a bit later ...

- Front and Rear cross frames: Yup that makes good sense - will do that.

- Verticals end on - Sure - actually had it like that earlier, but changed it for cosmetic reasons - Ive got angle brackets on the insides - you dont think thats enough? Perhaps not.
This really is a critical area - so making sure this is solid is a priority.
EDIT> I placed the Actuators in this position which will effectively do the same thing.
Two birds with one stone! :)

- Mount Actuators as low as possible - Ive got 2x 40x40 mm angle brackets top and bottom of the actuators. I can move the actuators down another 40mm if I put the brackets on the sides, making them visible (again - this was a cosmetic consideration). You think the 40mm will make a difference in feel? Functionality all round is obviously a higher priority all round.

Cross member below wheel: I was thinking the motor and the motor mounts would act as a structural member, eliminating the need for the cross bar - as the geometry is boxed with motor etc ... ?

Seat position: See below H-point ergonomics - Ill look into it and see if I can get the whole system lower ...
....

Again thanks for the feedback guys, hugely appreciated ...
Heres an update, next one will include @C64 's suggestions.
Any more feedback is hugely appreciated!

mfAnP83.jpg

https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro-sitting-like-racing-driver/


5zorkyI.jpg

zrfHLBu.jpg

KyNIJi2.jpg
 
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Looking good :)

Attaching uprights to the actuators will work very nicely.

Yous should be able get the bottom of the 100x100 section level with the underside of your rig frame, when you test your rig you can make it do full pitch forward and check that the front does not hit anything. Looking at your setup I would say you will have enough clearance.

As for a crossmember under/above the DD wheelbase - it depends how well the wheel base brackets tie it together but I suspect you will be more than ok without it now that the uprights are tied to the actuators... so I would only put the crossmember in if you have any significant wobble side to side when you get the rig running.

80/20 rigs are square frame structures so to make them stiff ( stop them lozenging ) you have to make the corners connections as ridgid as possible... especially the four corner of the base and the uprights for mounting the wheel.

It's good that you have got the rear actuators well behind the seat, it moves your seating position more between the actuators... which is good for how the motion "feels".
 
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Guys I've moved and no longer can have the SFX 100 in the house. I've printed, sourced and built everything but the motors. I've also bought the Ardunio shield breakout board for easy connection. I have everything ready to go including ALL the 3d prints for the entire build. All you need to buy is the servos and you can plug and play. I'm offering all this at $1700. I've spent months on this so this is a big time saver for someone. Here is a gallery I made .... https://www.altshiftsupply.com/sfx100

Email - joseg3@mac.com for more details
2019-03-23+19.48.32.jpg
2019-03-16+16.13.57.jpg
2019-05-23+09.19.46.jpg
2019-06-03+18.35.06.jpg
 
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I have everything ready to go including ALL the 3d prints for the entire build. All you need to buy is the servos and you can plug and play. I'm offering all this at $1700.

Might want to put this in the marketplace. And be prepared for folks that don't want you selling anything related to this project. $300 for extrusions, $350 for ball screws, parts, and hardware. $50 for shield/arduino. $150 for the transformer and misc. That's ~$850. That leaves ~$850 you're charging for the 3D printed parts. I'm putting my popcorn in the microwave now...
 
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Might want to put this in the marketplace. And be prepared for folks that don't want you selling anything related to this project. $300 for extrusions, $350 for ball screws, parts, and hardware. $50 for shield/arduino. $150 for the transformer and misc. That's ~$850. That leaves ~$850 you're charging for the 3D printed parts. I'm putting my popcorn in the microwave now...
Everything is negotiable, I've seen the 3d printed parts sold for $350 , safe to say a few hundred more to have convenience and immediately is worth it to some.
 
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