JADs 6dof with ballscrews

In the interest of sharing.
Here are the Fusion360 and stl files for the vive controller mount.

With the Fusion360 file, there is a scale applied in the timeline you may want try some other value depending on your material and printer.
I had +2% and I needed to add a few layer of tape on the controller to make it slug.
I printed this in PLA at 100% infill.

I was in need of a easy way to connect to the 3x kangaroos on the PC, send commands, then close the ports.
All this was needed independent from Simtools.
Actions such as start, home, park in lowest position, lift to ready position for simtools to take over, and powerdown were required.

I was finding it tedious using some terminal programs where I needed to click many times to open the ports, type or send commands individually, remember to close ports etc.
Some of these apps came close but there was just one extra step or shortcoming that prevented it from being a one click exercise.

After many hours of trials I found FoxTerm worked out well.
You can set up multiple file shortcuts to the .exe with command line parameters that point to setup files that do all the multiple com connections, broadcast the data, close connections and quit the program.
Each file shortcut is a single action or a combination of actions.



The next step is to get a push button on a game controller to launch these files.
Theres plenty of spare buttons on the Simucube I could use for this.

Does anyone know of a program thats always running in the background that could do this?
Im struggling to find something like this on the web.
Im not a programmer so I was hoping to find something purpose built ready to go.

Actually, the perfect place for those action shortcuts is in the quicklinks tab on simtools.
When a game is not running, 1 click of those quick links is all it takes.

Finally got around to hooking up the old shifter using the teensy method.
I lost a lot of time with fault finding because it took me many hours before I realised I had a G27 shifter with a different pinout and not a G25.

I managed to squeeze the teensy into a Dsub adapter by removing the connector block off the pcb and wiring the teensy directly to the board.
And then add a layer of medium density foam and squash it down when closing the lid of the connector.
The teensy board is secure enough that the USB connector is held firm at the opening to the case.
I had to remove some of the plastic at the opening for the USB connector to get a USB cable to seat closer to the board.
Its a nice compact adaptor between the Dsub lead of the shifter and the usb cable to the simucube.

And here is the quick guide to wiring this combo.

I got lucky and an Ebay alert for a second hand X56 hotas came up on my radar last week.
Picked this up for AUD$150. Pretty happy with it since its been at least 6 months before anything has come up second hand.
The cockpit is looking busy now.
Im having fun throwing more and more at it.
Next will be a handbrake. If I can squeeze it in somewhere.

Really nice layout! Are you using the motion compensation from Pimax?
Its a bit tricky on controller selection and orientation, but it was working really nice of the few minutes I could test it.

Yes, I did have it working for a short time but I pulled back from experimenting with this as I needed catch up on other loose ends and tuning before I get into this proper.
I need to get motion and controls set up properly before I dive into VR and motion compensation.
I havent had much time on the project for the last 2-3 weeks so not much has progressed here at the moment.
Like you said, its is tricky, I had to fumble around with controller settings and sequencing to get it going.
For the short time i had it going, it was odd as it was laggy in Steam home but seemed OK in game.
I'll revisit this soon.

Im looking forward to your next update on your rig.

Here is a video going through my kangaroo and sabertooth setup.
It turned out a bit long for an overview but may help someone playing around with this hardware combo.


and a vid of my son having a run in Dirt Rally 2.

You rig seems to be quite reactive. Good job.

Thanks.
It took me a while to realise that larger movements were making me feel off in VR.
It feels much better now with small and sharp movements.

Im just now starting to experiment with flight games with larger and smoother movements so we'll see how that goes.

@JAD

wonderful work I didn't see your topic, it seems you come from nowhere and your rig works !

I will follow this because I want to do a linear 6DOF ballscrew rig for flying in VR only.

Would you share fusion project ?

THanks and keep going !

I made a mess of the fusion model in the end. I dont think there is any value in sharing this.
It was a good exercise to start with as it gives you an understanding of the essential geometry. I encourgae you to do it yourself when starting out.
I can make a sketch of my rig dimensions if this is helpful.

Yes it would be very king a draft of your rig

As you can see here https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/6dof-linear-actuators-for-flying.14488/#post-194870 I already started design but dunno what to do for VR flying, so I really wait your tests !

Do you use simtools or Ptmover ?

and with which values will you drive your 6 DOF ? with speed, acceleration or move ?




Thanks a lot !

I would also love dimensions for your rig/extrusions

Just a bit more time and I'll prepare something

can't wait for that
thanks

Thanks! I also have a bunch of questions about your build.

1) Notice any difference when you switched from double ball nuts to single?

2) It looks like you changed your seat position in your recent video. Seat seems slid forward quite a bit and a lower than originally. What were your reasons for making this change?

3) How are you liking the Aluminum extrusions used in your rig? Would you use them again? I'm planning on a extrusion based 6DOF rig too.

4) You've mentioned that you would prefer to have shorter ballscrews (500mm instead of 650mm) a while back. Would you still recommend and prefer shorter ones? I'm gearing up to buy mine in the next week or two. Somewhere in the range of 500-650m, and 'm still not sure if I'll go sfu1610 or sfu2010

Thanks for your help!

Hi Jad any news ? thanks