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Can I use FlyPT Mover to help with hexapod dimensions ?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Jamie Wilson, May 30, 2021.

  1. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    Hi,

    Is it possible and/or advised to use FlyPT mover to help with rig dimensions ? And if so, what sort of movements and angles should I aim for??

    I do have some dimensions, but just wondering how or why different dimensions would affect performance.
    Couldn't really find a FAQ on designing a 6DOF hexapod style rig...

    Regards
    Jamie
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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  3. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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  4. Petertje

    Petertje “Engineering changes the world.” —Isaac Asimov

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    I was surprised how little travel actually is needed. My 6DOF rig has 480mm travel but I'm not using even half of that while in operation. in "arcade mode" larger travels are fun to see and experience, but in "sim" mode where imo the main objective is feedback to achieve better laptimes, travel is actually quite small.

    I made quite a large rig because I want to sit "in" it, and not on top of it. So I use the large travel mainly for easy access. See screenshot of my rig dimensions.

    I recommend to use the thanos controller and 6x AASD-15A controller/servo combo's. That way the hard part is already taken care off, and it works well together with the flypt mover software. I see amazing stuff on this forum made by people smarter then I am, but if you cant do that, this aforementioned combo is perfect, albeit not the cheapest.

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  5. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    Hi Petertje,

    Thanks so much for your input. I've heavily used your amazing build for inspiration. Nice to see your dimensions too!

    I'm slowing getting parts at the moment. I did get a Thanos controller just yesterday, and am awaiting 6 x AASD-15A motors/drivers.
    My ball screws are 1610 650mm btw. And they have just arrived. What are yours ?

    I will be using mainly VR in my setup, and have read many times about less is more regarding motion. However I plan to use MSFS2020 and XPlanes more than racing, so slower, larger movements are still desirable.

    I've also considered sunken and platform seating. But I think sunken will give a more accurate "feeling" especially with helicopters.
    I'd love to see a discussion on the virtues of both styles, but haven't found much on the forums.

    Thanks again for replying.

    Cheers
    Jamie
  6. Petertje

    Petertje “Engineering changes the world.” —Isaac Asimov

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    ah good you use that setup. You will be happy with the results. I use the 1605 ballscrew, I think your 1610 will reach tremendous speeds! With 1605x650 I already can reach high speeds which actually did hurt me physically in crashes, so I doubt you will use the full potential during racing. With flight sims I have no experience so no idea which requirements are important there.

    Anyway its not a problem, and the servo motors are more then strong enough to support the 1610. Only thing is they will be a bit more noisy.
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2021
  7. Petertje

    Petertje “Engineering changes the world.” —Isaac Asimov

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    Since you can input offsets in the software I think you can make platform seating accurate as well. Personally I like the "sunken" style better because its visually more appealing to me, its easier to get in and out off, and mechanically very strong and stable.

    There are people more knowledgeable on this forum regarding VR. My experience is limited to the pimax 5K, which I found tricky to setup and buggy. Definitely not plug&play. Resolution is not there yet compared to proper game screens, not by a long shot. FOV of this particular unit is very nice so when looking around in the game the immersion feel is great and response to head movement has no noticeable lag. For racing for me this doesnt work however. I get very nauseated within a lap, also without motion. The 5 persons trying it have the same problem. Part of it can be this particular unit, but I think the mismatch between what you see and what you feel is the main problem and this never gets solved for racing since you cant have a prolonged time of g-forces in these type of rigs. I found braking to be the main problem: if I coast its much better but that's not what racing is about.

    Since I'm not too impressed anyway, I'm not making the effort to try to get used to it. Now I have 3 screens which work great for that cockpit feel and also reaches almost 180 degrees wrap around.
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2021
  8. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    Haha, sorry shouldn't laugh, but I guess the pain of crashing must be an added incentive to not do so!

    I thought the 1610 might be quieter ? As it will rotate less for the same distance.
  9. Petertje

    Petertje “Engineering changes the world.” —Isaac Asimov

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    You can laugh! Other people did :) Its indeed an added factor of fear to even get closer to the experience of an actual racecar driver: if you are not careful you will get hurt :) However the rig jumps so violently it hops around and drags the pc with it until the cables come out. That slows it down.

    I tried to get the thanos crash filter at some in between setting but I dont fully comprehend the approach there and couldnt find suitable middle ground. I asked flypt to have some adjustable crashfilter in the software. I'm going to see if I can get it filtered with the tools already available.

    For the noise: at the same rpm the 1610 is noisier due to the steeper angle. At the same linear speed it might be the same. I tried 1610 and found it a bit noisier, and since I dont use the maximum speeds I changed to 1605. I'm checking out plastic screws which have no ballbearings so possibly that is even quieter.
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  10. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    I really love VR, however I'm less of a fan of the issues in making it work well.
    I just bought an RTX3090 at inflated pricing, but it isn't the experience I had hoped for, and requires that I still tweak this and that. Argh. So far the results have been underwhelming.

    I'm wanting to add 1-3 screens also. Did you go with 27" or larger ?
    Do you have any issues with them wobbling around with vibration ?
    Why didn't you go with a SUW49" Which is what I was considering, however I worry about the mounting stability.
  11. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    I went from 2005 to 2010 and found they were quieter and tracked better. Just my opinion.
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  12. Petertje

    Petertje “Engineering changes the world.” —Isaac Asimov

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    I have 3x 32" which was a combination of considerations really. They are fairly close to the driver, armlength roughly with an almost even distance all around. With larger screens that would get worse in combination with my rig, and also mechanical strain increases. And screens an be too large when close, so I found this to be the best solution: a bit smaller screen but closer so the result is the same as larger screens further away.
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  13. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    Thanks SeatTime! I'm hoping mine isn't too loud.

    Having a handle like that, do you have any good sources for seats in AU ? Any recommendations, or ones to avoid ?
    Thanks!
  14. Jamie Wilson

    Jamie Wilson Member

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    Ahh makes sense, thanks.

    Motors just arrived! Hooray, however I don't have any couplings yet...