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hexpod 6-dof for Simtools

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by SeatTime, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    So it has taken me a while to get a few things sorted out with the latest 2.3 Version of simtools and revisions to the firmware for the Thanos 1280 controller, but over the last day or so have been able to test a few of my favorite games and I am very impressed. The hexpod software with Simtools is working very well with the smoothness of motion that I missed from my BFF software days. I had to stop using BFF due to its limited game coverage and lack of support for multiple interfaces which I needed to run my G systems. The direct '6DOF' setup that I had working from simtools was OK, but the smoothness of transitions certainly was not there. Maybe not something that you may notice if you had never felt it before. There is also adjustable roll center for Roll, Sway and heave which comes in handy to matching the roll center of your rig to the simulation model - car, race car, aircraft, roller coaster etc and mixing of any DOF with any DOF:thumbs All a must if you are serious about simulation and the adjustable roll center can actually help to reduce motion sickness. There is only one small gripe from me and that is setting up the interface to the 1280 which expects you to only have one 1280. I get around this by disconnecting the other 1280 and then reconnecting once the correct controller is paired to the Hexpod software. The hexpod software is not free, but when your spending allot of money building a 6DOF, I think it is all relative and worth the investment.
    • Like Like x 4
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  2. billo2404

    billo2404 Member

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    Hi, I bought the hexpod software and I did a bit of testing.
    the only configuration that seems (only for a limited time) to run smoothly is simtools 2.25, firmware AMC 2.4 and hexpod 1.7
    With firware 3.0 and hexpod 1.8 and simtools 2.25 the motor 1 starts to oscillate after a while.
    I have not tried with simtools 2.3
    You yes?


    Ciao, anch'io ho acquistato il software hexpod ed ho fatto un po' di test.
    l'unica combinazione che semba (Ho testato solo per un tempo limitato) funzionare senza problemi è simtools 2.25, firmware AMC 2.4 ed hexpod 1.7
    Con firware 3.0 ed hexpod 1.8 e simtools 2.25 il motore 1 dopo un po inizia ad oscillare.
    Non ho testato con simtools 2.3
    Tu si?
  3. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I have been running my sim for the last few days (having a blast:)) on Simtools V2.3/hexpod 1.7/ now 1.9 and both my 1280s (old/new) on firmware V3 rev 2a. with no issues at all - Don't know if this matters, but note that I am using Sabertooths and this was not a straight forward process - needed to sit down with a multimeter and find 1280 settings that worked for my setup/rig.
  4. billo2404

    billo2404 Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    I use vfd inverters and AC motors but it does not depend on them.
    It's a problem that others have found but I assume that hexpod is working to resolve.
    Tomorrow, firmware 3.0 and simtools 2.3
    Let's see what happens
    in this video you can see what happened.
    Only by resetting on the AMC everything came back into place


    io uso inverter vfd e motori a corrente alternata ma non dipende da loro. E' un problema che hanno riscontrato anche altri ma presumo che hexpod stia lavorando per risolvere.
    Domani ricarico firmware 3.0 e simtools 2.3
    Vediamo cosa succede
    in questo video puoi vedere cosa succedeva.
    Solo facendo il reset sulla AMC tutto tornava a posto

  5. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    I have a similar 1280 with the daughter card that drives my 6DOF

    Sim Drivers_controllers2.jpg


    It was doing something similar in game (random pulsing on all actuators), but worked fine the rest of the time using 'output testing etc' When I tried the Hexpod software the issue was fixed. Unfortunately I am not using VFDs, but still don't understand why yours would be operating differently.
  6. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    Hi matey, would you be able to share you setup with the Sabertooths as I gave up with the 1280 as it just had a mind of its own, no matter what I did I couldn't get it to work properly, actuators flying about everywhere on their own.

    edit: Probably will not work as you are not using the new 1280 for your actuators
  7. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    True, but I do use the new one to drive my G-system ball screw 'actuators'. First up, did you have your Sabertooth 2 x 60 setup for 'Analog control, linear, independent? Ie all switches set to 'ON' except '4'. Also I'm guessing you know that the output of the 2 X 60 will be mirrored.
  8. SilentChill

    SilentChill Problem Maker

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    I honestly cant remember how I had it setup only that it was a nightmare lol

    Its ok I have posted in the 1280 thread looks like there is newer firmware and better instructions. Just need to be easily able to intergrate the limit/kill switches and I will try it again as im liking the look of the hexipod :)
  9. hexpod

    hexpod http://heXpod.xyz

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    It's a guess, but you could try to setup a lower comport number for your 6dof. Maybe it will connect to the right one this way.

    Best
    • Like Like x 1
  10. Psionic001

    Psionic001 Active Member Gold Contributor

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    Hey Seat time,

    I have the HexPod2.3 setup with SimTools too. I'm fairly new to motion platforms and in my testing I get large jumps with the HexPod 3d model is at its limits.
    I've used axis limiting in SimTools to tone this down, but I worry that if I have a plane or Heli that exceeds roll limits I'll still continue to reach platform limits.

    Do you have these limit issues? or how have you dealt with them.

    Here's my example before I have toned down the axis limits, but it does give a good idea of the issue I'm having:


    Any advice appreciated.

    Cheers





  11. hexpod

    hexpod http://heXpod.xyz

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    I think the main issue for the moment comes from the x plane plugin where the earth gravitational component of the vertical acceleration puts the heave initial axis strongly above the center position. @value1 is aware about this issue and I hope he will release an update soon.
    For the moment you can maybe try to reduce this phenomenon by applying a negative heave offset in heXpod while playing x-plane.
  12. Psionic001

    Psionic001 Active Member Gold Contributor

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    Ahhhh, I was wondering where that offset came from I searched everywhere and thought it was just a bug.

    I had looked at offsetting it by -100mm on my platform, so I will go and implement that and report back.

    Thank you


  13. hexpod

    hexpod http://heXpod.xyz

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    I just got a new verion for testing with subracted 1 from Gload_normal.

    Make sure you have selected data output 4, 16, 17, 37 38 and135.

    @Psionic001 Please test it and report

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 19, 2018
  14. Psionic001

    Psionic001 Active Member Gold Contributor

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    That worked perfectly.
    Thank you.

  15. Peacemaker105

    Peacemaker105 Active Member Gold Contributor

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    Hey @SeatTime, with the fragmentation of information around in regards to AMC1280 and Sabertooths and people running different settings etc, yet no one actually having it properly running except yourself, are you able to once and for all let us know a list of all the settings you have on both your AMC1280 and sabertooth please?

    eg:
    no. of motors: 6dof
    serial id: FF FF
    PID: 20/0/0
    motor max speed: 10/10
    motor min speed: 0
    sensor type: analogue 10 bit
    output type: 16 bit pwm uni direction
    feedback sensor: 10% / 1
    sensor direction: untouched
    start pos: 50% / step: 99% / timeout 10ms
    KLM: kill signals
    Clearpath motor: disabled

    AMC1280 dip switches:
    Sabertooth dip switches:

    Also anything else that you can think of..
    That would be a great start for a lot of people im sure. :)
  16. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    @SeatTime may be able to help, but rather than rely on members such questions should be directed to @Thanos.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Denus304

    Denus304 Member

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    Hi Guys i hope im in the right place here

    Is there a way to save the hexpod settings that i have entered into about my Sim .. it seems that when i reboot is resets all the values?
  18. hexpod

    hexpod http://heXpod.xyz

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    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
  19. Denus304

    Denus304 Member

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    Thankyou hexpod for all your help today it seems like it is ALOT better
  20. Trip Rodriguez

    Trip Rodriguez VR Pilot

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    @hexpod I am now getting things set up finally with the software. I sent a request a while ago for a new key after windows reset.

    I may need help understanding how to get some of the measurements but I understand most.

    One problem, maybe because it's not yet registered; I can not edit the following fields:

    Platform Joint Spacing (all)
    Base Joint Spacing (all)
    Leg Length
    Servo Arm Length

    The sliders are all grey instead of blue and can not be moved. If this isn't something that's going to go away when I get the registration key put in let me know so we can get it fixed!

    Trip

    Also @hexpod If I understand things correctly I may need you to increase the range of some values. If for "Drive Initial Position: Heave Offset" you mean the "width of arc" as seen on this calculator: https://www.handymath.com/cgi-bin/arc18.cgi I need to be able to set this to -233 mm!

    If that is not the correct dimension please instruct me in how to find it. Here is a photo of my servo arms in center "start" position. I know this is far from ideal but it was necessary to add the shock absorbers that I used to mostly eliminate my major backlash problems.

    The range of motion from this "start" position is +/- 30 degrees for a total of 60 degrees travel so I will need to make sure that HeXpod can handle these dimensions.

    My torque arms are 190 mm now so I still have not too much less travel than before with 100 mm torque arms. I now have 190 mm total travel of the actuators.

    Servo home position.jpg
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2019