Question Tips when building a 3dof sim

Hi guys,

I found this forum a few years back and I have been thinking about building a simulator. There are alot of cool builds here.

The plan is to build a vr motion sim not a racing rig or flight sim so maybe a bit different than the regular setup.

I am thinking about developing some sort of on rails VR experience.

I really like the rig this guy have built

https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...evelopment-with-brushless-motor-arduino.7978/

But looking at the servo and drivers my conclusion is that it is a bit too expensive.

So i guess my question is that can you do something similar but with a bit less expensive parts? I really like the sturdy build and long motion of the platform. Just the rise when starting the sim. So cool.


I was hoping you can give me some good tips and put me in the right direction. Do you have some good servo / engine alternatives i can check out.

Thanks for the reply noorbeast. Seems like a good option.

And i feel i need to apoligise in advance but i have very low knowledge of engines and gearboxes so i hope you done mind a few more cluless questions.

I need the

And I feel I need to apologize in advance but I have very little knowledge of engines and gearboxes so I hope you don't mind a few more clueless questions

I had a look at this servo

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/329...-1;SEK+865.74@salePrice;SEK;search-mainSearch

And i assume a controller like this will make life allot easier

https://www.thanos-motion.com/products/thanos-amc-controller-rgb-v1-4/#specifications

But I guess I need a gearbox that fits the servo. I assume the purpose of the gearbox is to exchange speed for torque and in this case also shift it to a dual shaft in 90 degree angle.

What should I look for to find a compatible gearbox and what would the name of the gearbox type be? Probably have some fancy name

Read the description of my old page for the AMC-AASD15A controller, there are some example links to AASD servos and matching gearboxes that might help narrow down the search:

https://www.tindie.com/products/tronicgr/amc-aasd15a-servo-motion-controller/

Hi guys,
Thanks for the information.
I checked out your links @Thanos. Allot of good links.
But regarding the gearbox. If i go with a design similar to the @Playsimulator's build:
Isn't it more this kind of gearbox i need?

(not sure if link is visible)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32918920490.html
Worm Reducer NMRV050 19mm input shaft 5:1 - 100 :1 Gear Ratio Nema 42 motor Worm Gearbox 90 Degree Speed Reducer

Worm gears are inefficient and usually have lots of "play" in the gears. Not the best way to go.

But why not linear actuators? Why you want to make it mechanically complex?
Linear actuator kits nowadays are incredibly inexpensive!! See here

Thanks
Thanos

Hi @Thanos ,

The scientific explanation would be I found the build thread and it looked very cool And I read that the more axis the more complex a build becomes.

But to be honest I would like to simplify as much as possible. Maybe a 4 axis build with actuators would save me a lot of headache?

Are that the kind of build that rests on this center pivot point or are the actuators strong enough to move the whole platform.



Thanks Johan

Hi
The ones with one actuator in each corner gives a very stiff impression


I found this design that I really like.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33051153509.html

Seems like a quite simple design also. Do you know if there are any good option of this side mounted servo design that is compatible with the AMC-AASD15A controller


Thanks Johan

Hi I was doing in that way. But believe me motor price is not the point when You finish rig.
In mine case mechanism was begin from specify motors from wheelhairs but the time spend and money....
If I will build another one I will take dc motor or servos and 50:1 gears like many others. If You dont want sopend lot of money do a 2dof first.

Hi seuszok,
I checked out your build thread. Very nice build!
Do you have some idea on how much you spent?
Yes I do agree that the line actuators are pretty expensive but servos seem quite expensive too.
I think there will be only one build for me. So I guess I need to go at least half way in

You have nothing to worry, just dont think like me, than when You buy motors and seat its half job done
Go in Your way, if some is too expensiwe but like it ...wait for it.
I was don`t sopose that this device can take so much fun when I begining.
Cost is some 1.5Ke for materials... mistakes, some tools etc.
I jump on deep water better idea is start from 2dof but if You have skills mechanical and electronic... nothing stop You to do more custom build.

If you want to avoid the headache of sourcing parts and have to also find tools to work on the material, there are some really inexpensive actuators similar to sfx100 out there, already assembled with everything, just pop on the rig and play...

Thanks
Thanos

Hi Thanos

Do you know if there are any compatible actuators with the design on the right side of the image. The racing lab seems to only offer the design on the left side?



Thanks Johan

PT-ACTUATOR offers foldback actuators, same as on the photo. Contact them with the dimensions you need (stroke size, leadscrew etc)