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JADs 6dof with ballscrews

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by JAD, Feb 25, 2018.

  1. pmvcda

    pmvcda aka FlyPT

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    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    Seeing your serial command, it wont work for the current version of the FlyPT interface.
    I have a new one that I will upload today, that allows sending commands of the type <#>.
    So before trying, wait for the new version (1.6.3). I need some feedback for that, specially because you are using decimal output and I have doubts it's working well.

    Great build!
    Hope you have no problems with bending ballscrews.
  2. cazsan

    cazsan Member

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    Still looking very promising! I wonder if the noise produced by the ball will be comfortable when playing. Any other side noise so we can have a reference regarding the ones from your build?
  3. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    It is a bit noisy. It seems to be mostly from the ballscrew nut.
    Perhaps it wont be so bad in normal use and regular game play.
  4. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    Your update 1.6.3 fixed it for me. Cheers!

    I was having fun throwing the rig around using the sliders and I got about 30secs in and then thought, its jumping around too much, it really needs some filtering, .
    I was just about to apply the filter, but the last move pulled apart the top end connector and the actuator fell to the ground.
    This one is still fine but the rig fell on a back actuator and bent the screw and the Aluminium tube.
    MVIMG_20190128_132346.jpg
    MVIMG_20190128_132356.jpg
    So a bit of a setback.
    But Im still happy I got this far this weekend with the interface.

    Ive ordered some Ebay ballscrews from a local supplier that will hopefully arrive in time for this weekend.
    I couldnt find the same double nut supplier I used earlier(at reasonable price), so I will have to swap over the nuts when they arrive.

    I should be back in action after this weekend.
  5. Pierre Lalancette

    Pierre Lalancette Sir Lalancelot Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    That's so bad. Hope you get back on it soon.
    I've learn that you should always film your first try, as it could be the only time you can do it before it breaks. :)
    Keep on!
  6. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    Ouch !! All in the learning process I suppose :)
  7. My.stAr

    My.stAr Active Member

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    Hey @JAD,
    thank you for your thread! There is plenty of important information for me:)

    What happend with your rig after the crash? ^.^
  8. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    I did stop for a while. Not enough Sundays. But have got back to it the last few weeks

    I got it together again with a replacement ballscrew.
    Gave it another run all OK but I decided the bearing mount at the motor end of the ball screw was not suitable. With the two bearings stacked up against each other inside the bearing block, there is too much wobble and the screw can start to whip around uncomfortably at certain resonant speeds.

    I tried keeping the block and replacing the bearings with some quality name brand deep groove bearings but there was little difference.
    Next I tried angular contact bearings loaded up against each other but also not much improvement.

    So I have started making some custom bearing blocks (Aluminium) which separate the bearings around 50mm.
    This is only my second job ever on the lathe and it has taken me much longer than I care to admit.
    I had these finished yesterday.
    MVIMG_20190512_180403.jpg
    This coming weekend I'll be starting on machining the ballscrew to fit the new bearing block.
    Hopefully I can update again soon with a few completed actuators.
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Pierre Lalancette

    Pierre Lalancette Sir Lalancelot Gold Contributor

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    Those bearing do look really nice. I hope you get much improvement.
  10. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    Finally have something to show and can now report all the actuators have been upgraded with the new bearing blocks.
    I also added a bottom limit switch for homing when starting up the sabertooth/kangaroo.
    It was getting a little uncomfortable watching the start up routine perform the homing and calibration by crashing into the stops.
    I can cope with it crashing into the bottom limit, but I was clenching every time it would run the ball nut to the top limit inside the tube.
    And no, that's not an upgrade to carbon fibre tube, its just a vinyl wrap.
    IMG_20190707_203358.jpg

    I also took the time to redo the whole assembly of electrics.
    Its now easier to pick up the whole thing and put it on the bench to work on.
    IMG_20190707_175633.jpg IMG_20190707_003845.jpg IMG_20190707_003912.jpg

    I have a few small things to finish up before connecting it all.
    Hopefully next update will be the thing moving again.
    • Like Like x 2
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    • Creative Creative x 1
  11. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Perhaps consider using servomotors... ...calibration via torque on power up and no limit switches at all (no need for)

  12. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    They are certainly a great choice except way out of my price range.
  13. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Not so much... all including power drive is $194 each:
    https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32352297491.html

    Perhaps less that what you spend for the DC motors, power supplies, sabertooths and kangaroos etc...
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  14. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    Thats surprising, last time I checked I thought we were facing $500+
    If I had my time over, I'd seriously consider those. Perhaps for Mark 2 rig
    Thanks for pointing them out.
    • Like Like x 1
  15. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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  16. wannabeaflyer2

    wannabeaflyer2 Well-Known Member

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    Hi @JAD man I have to say that is one seriously nice man cave lol and loving the progress with your platform , had my doubts about the potential side loads with your actuator at full stretch so its great to see nice you making nice Progress Greta stuff :)
  17. JAD

    JAD Active Member

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    Yeah, the cave is working out well. I took over the whole garage as soon as we moved in, no car has ever parked in here!
    • Like Like x 2
  18. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Lucky... I have only a 1/8 of the garage available for "mancave". And I even get complains about it all the time... lol
  19. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    Wish i knew about these!!
  20. hannibal

    hannibal Active Member

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    Im embarrassed to ask...

    What is a kangaroo?