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Showroom 6DoF Winch Motor Flight Sim Platform

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Historiker, Sep 21, 2013.

  1. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    The title says it all. I have been wracking my brain in an attempt to design a budget 6DoF platform for modern flight sims. After completing my 2DoF racing platform and the excellent response from the community in that build I thought I would tentatively start my new build.

    Why winch motors? They are a proven, reliable (if noisy) motor base to work from. They can lift an incredible amount of weight quickly.

    I plan on using two Arduino (or one Teensy...hint hint RacingMat, lol) controllers and six Pololu755 driver boards. The driver board might change if I find something cheaper but as reliable. So far I am very impressed with the two that I have.

    Why 6DoF? The main reason is the concerted lifting ability of 6 winches. They should, according to the math (which I probably screwed up, lol) do the job without the need for a center sprung pivot like Aldos' impressive and inspiring build. But even if I am wrong, I have a design for a Sarrus hinge that I might also incorporate that is sprung. But I also want the other degrees of freedom that this design will give me for the immersion factor.

    My total cost should be under 1000.00 (by pennies) which means of course I expect to put in around 1500.00 or so :D

    I already have some of the materials/electronics needed and of course the most important aspect of this build is SimTools without which I would never even dream of started such a construction.

    I doubt that this build will go as fast as the last one (what....three weeks from actual start to finish? :D ) but I do plan on building the platform and the base. Since I already have two winch motors to get my dimensions from I should be able to do this part and then mount the winches when I have the funds to complete that part of the job.

    No pictures as yet as I have been doing this on paper (the math) and in my head (the fantasizing of flight). :)

    What do you think? Will six winch motors provide enough lift for a 6DoF platform?

    David
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  2. bsft

    bsft

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    Should do , considering lift of winches, just do not plan a 747 or monsta truck to sit on top of platform, keep it as light as possible. And yes I know the driver is a tad heavy.
  3. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    I've been thinking about 6DOF. I realise you have your heart set on it, but from my thinking, 4DOF might give you what you need. When you look at surge and sway in particular, I wonder how necessary they are, given the effects provided by combining axes like yaw + pitch + roll.

    4 DOF means 4 motors, less drivers, probably only 1 Arduino required, etc.
  4. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    Aaron, I actually agree with you. I doubt I need sway or surge but what I really need from the extra motors is Heave...as in "Heave my large butt up there" ;)

    If I use a Teensy I will only need one controller board. I just need to learn how to adapt RacingMat's arduino sketch to a teensy board.
  5. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    Ah yes of course. Heave and subsequent drop would be critical in a flight sim. Best bit of all, in fact.
  6. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Let show us your new baby ! :)
    I'm confident : i have seen 4 DOF without center pivot (where is this link ?!)

    If you start this 6 DOF, i'll convert the code into teensy for you if I can !
  7. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    I am starting the 6DoF project ;)

    I have the steel out in the shop to build the base and platform (1"x2"x 1/18" square tube) and am just figuring out the motor placement. As soon as I have that done I am ordering the winch motors.

    My wife ok'd a monthly budget of 300.00 for the project so first I am going to order the winch motors. With the winch motors, two Pololu755s that I already have and the teensy to run them (YEAH RacingMat!!!) I should have movement sooner than I expected.

    If I start to build the H-bridge motor controller schematic that Thirsty posted and Prilad and Eaorobbie upgraded (for single PWM and DIR input) I might be able to complete the project for far less than I had originally spec'd out. Perhaps even only 600.00 total.

    I am pretty excited about the whole thing.

    Ironically I just returned from the hardware store where I purchased metal shelving for my shop to store all my junk that is cluttering the floor and under counter tops; I spent more money on them than the total for this project will be.
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  8. bsft

    bsft

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    well , good luck then.
  9. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Thanks Dave, I need to check the household budget to see if I can still afford to buy the winches after my shelf buying binge this morning ;)

    I bought enough steel free standing shelf units to outfit the shop and fill a room upstairs in one of the barn for long term storage. c
  10. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    The complete project for 600$? Than you are the first guy on this planet who did it:) But i wish you good luck and i keep my fingers crossed that you reach this goal.
    Will visit you for a ride on it than:grin
    • Like Like x 1
  11. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    That takes into consideration the materials and parts that I already have. The cost, if I did not have those parts, would still be over 1000.00.
  12. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    1000 bucks are still "cheap". My old 2DOF SCN5 simulator cost me round about 1500 ... and a lot of sweat:) But nowadays we have cheaper alternatives, so i believe you can accomplish it.
  13. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    Yes, SCN5 actuators are expensive in themselves. When I first started to look into building a platform the choices were pretty narrow. BigTallTim gave me my first surge of hope but as far as I know that never came to fruition. X-Sim was one of the roadblocks that I ran into as I just really could not get my head around how to use it. RacingMat and Eaorobbie were really the innovators that I was looking for, Mat for his use of a cheap, easy to use controller option and Rob for his cheap, easy to convert motor option. And of course the general website with tons of information to put together and ready answers when I was confused. When the prevailing belief was that you had to build your own controller and motor drivers or buy expensive units from robot makers it really hurt DIY efforts for some (me) people. Now there are cheap DIY options such as the Arduino. I think this hobby will really take off once a simple to use interface like SimTools has been released. I very much look forward to this community growing and thriving, which I believe it will.
    • Like Like x 1
  14. eaorobbie

    eaorobbie Well-Known Member SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK, SimforceGT, 6DOF
    problem is your trying to build something that normally starts in the region of 4-5k to build for 1k sorry don't see it happening, been down that road before.
    The issues will arise when you get the whole thing moving the inertia involved in 6dof ,(changing of direction once in motion) out ways the power dc motors will put out.
    Sorry man 240v Ac is needed but as Raceray has said you might be the first, don't give up on the idea.
  15. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    I have to disagree, Aldos has already proven that a flight sim platform is possible with 4DoF and winch motors. Yes, he has a sprung center pivot but as I mentioned in the first post; I have plans for sprung sarrus hinges on each winch if they are needed which will equate to the center sprung pivot lift on Aldos' build. There are several other successful 4dof builds using similar setups. My inspiration for this build is Roland Vanroy and the motor setup he used for his 3DoF platform. I had thought of following his lead on his new 6DoF build as well but I like the winch motor setup.

    It could be that I am tossing my money into a black hole ;) but for me the greatest part of a project is the build, with the use of the project coming in a close second.
  16. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    As long as you plane to construct the mechanic robost enough, you are still able to convert the system to VFD´s and AC motors later IF it SHOULD fail. So not really a blackhole and we stay behind you! A 6DOF DC platform is awesome thought imho.
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  17. bsft

    bsft

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    never-ending black hole........
  18. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    lol, yes Dave, this is very much true. Even if this project succeeds the next is just around the corner ;)
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  19. bsft

    bsft

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    oh please, 10 sims later and I still have plans for next
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  20. eaorobbie

    eaorobbie Well-Known Member SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    lol as I always say "Sims are addictive"
    Sorry been down that path on several builds with several builders 9 out 10 gone the ac method and about 10k in expenses and are now commercial units for sale. With no credit coming back for the help.
    I know aldoz sim very well , who advised him through the build ??? and is only 3dof, problem arises in controlling the heave.
    Ronalds uses bungee cord to balance the weight issue, Im not new to sim builds.
    Keep up the effort mate , welcome to prove me wrong, ya might just teach me something.