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Senior Capstone Project - VR Motion Simulator

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Garrick H. Woods, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    This is my first experience with motion simulators, but I'm diving right in. I am planning on using an arduino, and using it to simulate a roller coaster in No Limits 2. It's 2 DOF simulator but I may change it later on down the road.

    The machine is my original design. I am just starting on the build and have cut out and welded the base. I designed it so that it can be taken apart easily and transported. The universal joint is removable from the base, allowing the seat to be removed and the legs to be stored on the inside of the main column. The feet are height adjustable with a range of 1.5 inches to level the simulator in most circumstances.

    I am still unsure of the motors I will use. I am leaning toward electric mobility scooter, DC 12-24v motors, but am open to suggestions from people who have more experience. I will continue updating the thread as I go along building and testing this simulator. My due date is at the end of April, 2020.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    • Like Like x 3
  2. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    +22 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    IMG_1821.jpg IMG_1824.jpg IMG_1827.jpg IMG_1828.jpg

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 3
  3. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

    Joined:
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    Balance:
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    +22 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    IMG_1830.jpg IMG_1830.jpg

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Seems to be a neat design for being easily transportable, I look forward to following your updates.
  5. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Thanks for looking at it! you obviously have a lot of experience with simulators on this site. do you have a recommendation on what motors are strong enough to use on the simulator? I have seen a lot of projects that use truck wipers or mobility scooter motors.
    Thanks!
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  7. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

    Joined:
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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Just ordered some motors with gear boxes from a wheelchair. working on getting a solid plan for what motor controllers to use with my Arduino.
    upload_2020-1-9_14-26-28.png
    • Like Like x 1
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Are the motors 12 or 24V?
  9. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    They're a range of 12-24vdc
  10. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
  11. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

    Joined:
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    +22 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
  12. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I think it worth it, as often many of us end up recycling our parts as our experience and rigs evolve, but it depends how tight your budget is.
  13. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    I'm having a hard time in FAQ's and DIY forums finding how to connect my motor shaft to the offset arm (not sure what to call it) for my motors. Have you seen any good examples for this type of shaft, or what keywords should I use while searching?
    IMG_1890.JPG
  14. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    That is a keyway shaft and while it is slightly different to mine in design you could try and find the correct size mild steel coupling and weld the lever to it, drilling a hole through the lever into the coupling for the threaded shaft to go through, then use a lock nut to secure it: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-attach-levers-to-wormdrive-gearboxes.182/
  15. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Thanks so much! that's exactly what I needed to see
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    I am currently building the electrical side of my simulator. I decided to use an ammo can as an enclosure for my Arduino, motor controller (sabertooth 2x32), and power supply. I have fans on both sides oriented to move air through the box to bring down the temperature. I am trying to make the entire simulator fairly portable. All cables will have a point to detach from the box, and the legs and seat will be able to be removed from the main column.

    I am working out a way to plug in and test the motors so if anyone knows a good thread to follow for initial testing of the motors with the sabertooth 2x32, let me know! I just don't want to blow anything up.

    IMG_1966.JPG IMG_1967.JPG IMG_1968.JPG IMG_1969.JPG
    • Like Like x 2
  17. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    • Like Like x 2
    • Creative Creative x 1
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2020
  18. MarkusB

    MarkusB Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Maybe you found the right thread for initial motor testing in the meantime. In case you didn't: It is the one that @noorbeast mentioned on Jan 10th:
    https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...ket-serial-pid-motor-driver-w-softstart.9277/

    The SMC3 software has an own UI that allows you to configure and test your motors. Just make sure that they can rotate freely 360° without breaking anything.

    This is a creative approach! Make sure that the lever fits tightly, because too much play can be disturbing.

    I am also using wheelchair motors, but mine still have a coupling wheel connected to the axis, so that I can simply connect levers via four m8 screws.
    • Like Like x 2
  19. Garrick H. Woods

    Garrick H. Woods Simulator Noob

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Thanks for the tips! Yeah I made sure that the levers are tight in the keyway by selecting bar stock that was too wide and shaving it down til it fit. It's kint of hard to get them in place but they're a tight fit.
    • Like Like x 2
  20. Zed

    Zed VR Simming w/Reverb Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Hey Garrick, nice work!

    One comment, though, and I’m not familiar with those motor controllers to know how hot they get, but one side is going to get significantly more cooling than the other.