My diy 3DOF motion rig project

Hi guys

I started a thread about my project under "New users" but I think my project belongs in here and it's not too late changing over here.
My actuators from Simxperience got delivered last week and that means I've got my stuff pretty much together.
The design is almost finished. Just a couple of brackets for keyboard, buttonbox(es), speedo, gear indicator and that should be it.

Here's the latest design:






I'm building a separated triple monitor stand on castors for my 24" BenQ's as well.
The rig is gonna be powder coated white and as roughly indicated (not happy with it yet) I want to give it the looks of the Martini Racing Lancia's:


This is my current diy rig showing the gear I'm gonna be putting on it as well:


Hope you like it

Cheers

Good ideas !!

How much angulation do you plan for yaw (traction loss) ?
I'm wondering if fixed triple screens will remain visible (angle of vision too low)...

Wow, I am going to be watching with interest. I like the idea of a color scheme...hmmm.......ideas ideas ideas

Nice use of casters mate.

I like the idea of casters! Mine is great, when it is in the way I just give it a shove, lol.

looks good

Cheers Mat and everyone else, I'm glad you like it
Well Mat, I've investigated a bit more and it seems like you hit a bit of a critical point there. The SCN5 has 150mm of travel, means max 75mm either side. My original idea was using 130/65mm and keep 10mm either side as a buffer.
If I do that the rear end (wheels) are travelling 91mm either side and the steering wheel is moving by 40mm either side.
I'm not 100% sure what you mean by screens remain visible. I'm looking at each screen pretty much perpendicularly. The seat/me are moving 70mm sideways just based on the rear traction loss component.
That has no effect on visibility of the screens.
Having only 24'' screens and them very close to the steering wheel is getting especially the sequential shifter a bit close to the screens. It will work. I want to avoid hitting the screens when shifting of course. I've got a decent buffer atm and it won't happen even if it becomes hectic and messy I still don't like the idea getting max 40mm closer to the bottom edge of the screen on the right.
The brackets for shifter and handbrake are adjustable and I can move the screens away by 10 or 20mm as well so I'm sure I'll find a solution for this. However, this is the major drawback of using smaller screens imo. My mate is using 3 32" TV's and that gives him a bit more space for all his gear.

Here the rig together with the triple monitor stand:




Cheers

The more I look into this issue the more unhappy I get.
I figured 24" screens are not really ideal for a rig with rear traction loss module. The centre screen was supposed to be positioned just 60mm behind the wheel rim. That means any movement sideways is really noticeable as I figured when experimenting with my current set up. Imo it would be better having larger screens somewhere behind the wheel base. That gives you more space for your gear and the movement in relation to the absolute distance to the screens is less significant.
I can think of 3 ways to deal with it / fix it and I hope you can give me some advice:
1) Get larger screens (no option as I really like my screens and they are still pretty new and I want to avoid the expenses.
2) Fix the screens to the rig so they move with it (I'm concerned about the vibrations damaging the screens and the additional weight to be moved by the actuator. What's your idea about it? Being able to move the screens away easily is pretty handy too imo).
3) Move the screens away a bit and reduce the travel of the actuators (that's what I'm preferring atm, considering moving the screens about 40mm further away in order to get me more space and reduce the travel of the actuator to 50mm either side (100mm total - the actuators allow 150mm) - you think that's still enough? I would have to change the angle of the screens from 60deg to 55deg which reduces FOV. Guess it's still ok - maybe 160deg).
What do you think?
Cheers

Hello !

Fixing the screens to the traction loss part would be a good choice IMHO : not much vibration and always a good vision angle...

I suppose that traction loss need smoothing and washout functions that will prevent your screen to be shaken.

On the plateform with roll and pitch, it would be very heavy i guess.

My 24" triple screens are 600mm behind my wheels.

Cheers for the feedback mate. So you don't think the additional weight is causing any issues for the rear traction loss actuator? Would you just use the VESA mount for fixing the screen or support them additionally?
There's a physical shock absorber at the actuator (shear compression mount). However, due to the way the screens are positioned there's lots of travel at the far edges of the screens on the left and right. It's pretty much equal to the travel of the actuator as the distance to the pivot at the front is almost the same.
Cheers

It's too bad to limit excursion of traction loss : this effect in particular has long duration...

>additional weight
The screens will be near the traction loss pivot point ! so it will increase inertia but not much efforts.
What actuator do you intend to use ?

Dampening the actuator with shock absorber it often advised in the forums.
An elastomere sheet between screen and VESA would be good as well.

>It's pretty much equal to the travel of the actuator as the distance to the pivot at the front is almost the same.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean : you can attach the actuator in the middle of your frame in order to gain excursion...

My set up is quite a bit different than yours. My angle is 60deg instead of 42deg and the distance to the screens is just 50cm.
The outside edge of the left and right screen almost lines up with my eyes. These edges are actually quite close to the rear traction loss actuator. They are just 20cm closer to the pivot than the actuator itself. That means these two edges are traveling a lot - it's about 85% of the travel of the actuator.
So the mass of the screens has quite a lever.

The frame supporting the adjustable wheel base plate quite a bit away from the seat. I designed the rig this way because I just need the space to get my legs into the rig. The screens on 60deg and at a distance or approx 500mm from my eyes make it difficult enough getting in and out. That frame is actually detachable. I wouldn't be able to get the rig into my simroom otherwise. That thing being so far away wouldn't be good to support the screens solely I believe.
I actually think I'd have to make some major changes to my design if the screens where mounted on the rig. Guess I wouldn't get away without some tubes going overhead to the back of the rig supporting the screens.
I've got 3 Simxperience SCN5's btw.
Cheers

Hi
here are some pics of my solution
3x27"
distance is 80cm and the angle is 55°



After adding the traction loss, the screens become a bit loose when changing the direction.
Not much, but noticeable.
So i added 2 threaded Bars and the flat bar per side.

While driving and I focuse very much on that , I notice that there is some movment thru the screens .

Mostly I´m focused staying on the Track

For me it works fine

Here is my post about my Traction Los Frame
http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/cheap-and-easy-traction-loss-frame.4743/

Your question about the actuator
The SCN 5 could move my rig very easy and we are talking about approx.120kg for the rig and 76kg myself.
I installed the Actuator right under my seat to get more movment, cause only SCN 5 100mm


Cheers
Kai

;-)
@Thirsty : LCDs can turn !
http://www.spi0n.com/full-turn-ecal/

Hey Kai
Cheers for your feedback mate. That's some good information. Have you considered separating rig and monitor stand at all? Considering your experience with it, would you built it like that again? It's good to know you don't really have to worry about the additional weight. Yeah I like the idea being able to move the screens out of the way easily, especially when doing some work on the rig. Having screens at a distance of 50-60cm and 60deg is just a pain in the ar$e when it comes to access.
Mmm, very difficult decision.
Cheers

I have the same question ;-) for my next 3DOF...

Friday, I'll try some simulators at the "Mondial de la Simulation" in Paris - Le Bourget : I hope i'll find answers. It's very difficult to have to choose without being able to test before : poor DIY men!

Wow, lucky you
It's great having the screens moved around with you no doubt - I really like that.
I find it a bit hard to allow for all the flexibility and adjustability when mounting the screens on my rig.
My separated monitor stand gives me the chance to mount 27" screens as well (got 24" atm). I can move the screens back and forth, up/down and I can change the angle as well.
Dunno, maybe I'm too fussy about it, but if I decided attaching the screens to the rig I wanted it to be light and that would probably result in sacrifices regarding adjustability.
Imo even the wheel I use can have an effect on the location of the screens. That's different with larger screens being further away anyway.
I'm keen on getting to know about your findings after checking out all these simulators - please let us know
Cheers

Hello together,

No I never tought about seperating Rig and Screens.
This Setup is the Conclusion of a long time Evolution.
I tried a lot of diffrent setups , I had to build the Rig 2 to 3 times in the End.
That´s why I recommend to use Aluminum Profiles or make the most of the Rig adjustable.
First I had 22" Screens but , while building, I had in mind to go for bigger Screens later , so I gave some room for the roof and the Screensidebrackets .
My Rig is limitated by the room, I have only 20cm left to the wall at each side, so I can´t install bigger Screens

The Cockpit and its 8" is exactly placed where the original Car cockpit is when you use "Cockpit view" . Disadvantage is I can´t see all Buttons in the Game Menue.
I can move the Cockpit and the Wheel installed, 10 cm in direction to the seat and 15cm separatly the Pedals. Both with Quicklock Solutions.
With more Time and effort it is possible to move the seat.
Adjustment of the Angle (Screens) takes 10 minutes.

Take a look in my Media Gallery there you can reproduce the Evolution.
http://www.x-simulator.de/forum/gallery/album.php?album_id=28

Would I build it again this way ?
Sure!
Is this the final Solution ?
Sure not!
There are lot of things to come , Curved Screens , Occulus Rift, Time will tell

You whill change more things in the course of time than you can imagine right now, that´s my experience.

Cheers

Cheers mate, yeah the more I think about it the more I tend to fixing the screens on the rig now. Had a look at your rig - it's really great and that dashboard of yours...wow, beautiful
No idea what the new design is gonna be like, but I believe it's gonna be quite a bit different. I hope RacingMat will give us some valuable info on this as well after visiting that simulator fair.
See how we go...

@Thirsty :
Back from the fair, I have been a bit disappointed because there were too few simulators this year:
2DOF and 3 DOF Dbox (short range)
and 3 DOF electric actuator (long range) http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/mondial-de-la-simulation.4799/#post-45630 (1 screen)

But I have tried all them and DIY is really good in quality/cost ratio!

Anyway those longe range actuators (like in the vid) are really good for heave feelings (which is long duration effect).

Even if the screens were connected to the seat, the high angles were too disturbing for me:
the walls around falsed my perception -> it looks like it's mandatory to play in full darkness to appreciate high angle movment and not be disturbed by peripheral vision on fixed objects.

For my (future) 3 DOF, I will certainly fixed my triple screens onto the yaw axis.
The movment should be smooth. On the contrary to Roll and Pitch which are too harsh and may damage the triple screens.

It would have been simple if @Historiker didn't have tempted me with a 6DOF...