1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

Darkknights SFX-100 build

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by darkknight, Feb 1, 2021.

  1. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Wow, what a journey! Thoroughly enjoying the build process which I've been doing over the past 3 weeks after a frenzy of shopping, discovering having to pay import duty from the EU (I'm in the UK) and the fact that goods are cheaper and arrive faster when shipped from China! (No wonder why everyone's concerned they will be (are?) the next superpower).

    Here are some pics and apologies in advance for the mess.
    Many thanks to @diablo2112 and Bogdan Berg who's comprehensive posts helped to smooth the process especially for someone who has never done anything like this before. The cost savings were just too tempting!!
    • Like Like x 2
  2. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    IMG_9759.JPEG
    I haven't decieded how to mount the flight sim stuff yet and..


    IMG_9760.JPEG
    If you don't have a mini clamp - GET ONE. You will definitely need it.



    IMG_9761.JPEG
    I have a resin (Elagoo Mars) and filament printer (Anycubic Mega-S). The resin printer does amazingly dimensionally accurate prints with very little effort whilst the filament printer needed lots of calibration trial prints etc.



    IMG_9762.JPEG A slider in resin. The lack flex meant it was virtually impossible to get it on without chipping bits off so resin not ideal for these larger pieces.




    IMG_9764.JPEG
    The printer has been the biggest headache since my screen froze. Getting a new screen has been a pain with delving into the firmware and Arduino compiling without success. Ultimately, I got the screen to work but the rotor would not turn rendering the thing useless! I've tried 3 screens without much luck! Having to calibrate and print via USB is not fun at all!

    IMG_9765.JPEG
    Just to prints left but I don't have an (easily) functional printer!!!




    IMG_9766.JPEG
    The grease gun IMGO is not optional.


    IMG_9767.JPEG
    A new use for used filament spools whilst I figure out cable management.



    81771
    More goodies arriving today - this is better than a kid in a sweet shop and I haven't played a game yet! Can't wait to fire up the Reverb G2.


    IMG_9775.JPEG


    IMG_9776.JPEG
    My servo case with lock and key as well as case fan on the top. Kepp 240v away from prying fingers.

    IMG_9777.JPEG Yes, the wheel didn't spend much time in the box



    IMG_9745.JPEG

    Lots of free stickers from the manufacturers



    IMG_9746.JPEG
    Some ferrite cores in the mix - not sure if they'll help significantly. Leonardo board for some sim belt action hopefully.





    IMG_9747.JPEG


    IMG_9748.JPEG
    Sliders mounted. I calibrated but in the end used a mallet to make fit nice'n'tight.


    IMG_9750.JPEG
    It's PX-1 frame. Everything I ordered arrived surprisingly quickly, just waiting for the Kinetic profiles which will be here this week after they responded to my email(!)



    IMG_9751.JPEG
    Fanatec pedals, Sparco seat coming soon - I have ants in my pants!



    IMG_9752.JPEG
    This is gagging for a tinkering.

    IMG_9753.JPEG
    Motors mounted and labelled. DO NOT HESITATE TO BUY A LABEL PRINTER, really useful around the house too.






    IMG_9754.JPEG


    IMG_9755.JPEG
    I went for the Ailogs shifter and handbrake. These have just been delivered and it looks like they've switched from chrome to black metal for the handles.




    IMG_9756.JPEG
    How did I live without a label printer in my life before...



    IMG_9757.JPEG
    Thr rig is running on the Alienware Area 51 R5 which I've just upgraded to an MSI gaming board and intel i910850k series.


    IMG_9758.JPEG

    Needs a clean and bolts tightened once I've dialled in the position. Note the seat slider too for my son and daughters to adjust to suite.

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2021
  3. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Does anyone know why I don't have thread tools activated yet? Need to edit my post.
  4. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    All sorted now. :thumbs
  5. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    IMG_9790.JPEG My motorshield didn't come preinstalled with pins so out came the dusty soldering iron.

    IMG_9796.JPEG

    Really pleased with the result considering the last time I soldered anything was in CDT technology in 1989!



    IMG_9793.JPEG
    Here I've used standard T-slot PVC profiles for cable management (really cheap 10 pack of 2m for £15), the protrude for the the thicker cables but can be inserted flush fr thinner cables.





    IMG_9806.JPEG
    Starting to take shape - at least the mess has gone!



    IMG_9808.JPEG
    More cable management needed.
    IMG_9818.JPEG

    Ordered this diamond aluminium floor plate to the same dimensions as Sim-Labs at half the price - this will help to hide some of the spaghetti as well.

    On a plus note, new printer (Ender 5 pro) will be arriving on Friday and Kinetik are due to ship the profiles this week too!
    • Like Like x 2
    • Creative Creative x 1
  6. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2017
    Messages:
    1,346
    Occupation:
    Electronics Engineer
    Location:
    United States
    Balance:
    2,692Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,043 / 9 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform, 4DOF, 6DOF
    What is the arduino for? Air flow fan control maybe?
  7. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    That’s correct. I’m also planning a seat belt tensioner addition but difficult to choose which option at the moment.
  8. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    A close up look at why its important to clean the aluminium shafts:
    Before :
    0274DFF0-AD21-4556-869F-547E1410FFAF.jpeg EBA14064-C8DF-41B2-A8C0-34B3473C4719.jpeg

    And after a good clean:

    7910CA6E-2CC6-4277-B326-7A09EC9CC9E1.jpeg
    • Like Like x 2
  9. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Props to @saxxon66 for the original designs. In terms of accuracy, I don't think FDA printers can match resin:

    IMG_9829.JPEG

    IMG_9830.JPEG
  10. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Some cable management has started. I was going to print some 2020 cable holders but have loads of brackets left over these work really well too:

    IMG_9883.JPEG

    IMG_9884.JPEG
    • Like Like x 2
  11. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,233
    Location:
    Marseille - FRANCE
    Balance:
    20,875Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,079 / 21 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    • Like Like x 1
  12. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Will def consider harness as the next addition.
    The rig is now complete with some adjustment along the way.
    1. Lowered the seat height into the frame rather than on top.
    2. Painted the Kinetik profiles black.
    3. Switched to FlyPT mover (awesome) connecting to Thanos AMC (superb)
    4. Some flexi filament for the base which holds washing machine vibration pads underneath.
    5. Added buttkicker with 'special mount' - yes, that is a linear bearing as I'm now an expert and re-inserting ball bearings! My advice order 3 extra - it's very easy to extend beyond the shaft during the build!

    Just need to get the wind sim working with Mover and I'll be good to go. Lots of tuning still required though.

    PS. The resin printed parts cracked easily so not really an adequate alternative to PLA and I did reprint the sliders with 40% using PLEG instead.

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 3
    • Winner Winner x 3
  13. xurongyi

    xurongyi New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Balance:
    - 45Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    why doesn't the servo driver match
  14. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Sorry, which pic are you referring to??
  15. xurongyi

    xurongyi New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Balance:
    - 45Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Ťhere is a picture ,your
    servo driver is 15A, the
    米otor is 3a
  16. xurongyi

    xurongyi New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2020
    Messages:
    14
    Balance:
    - 45Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    friend, l think you use
    arduino uno r3
    can you send me a
    wirng diagram?
    thank you
    l come from shandong,china
  17. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2017
    Messages:
    1,346
    Occupation:
    Electronics Engineer
    Location:
    United States
    Balance:
    2,692Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,043 / 9 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform, 4DOF, 6DOF
    The servo drive model is AASD-15A, doesn't mean its 15 Ampere.
  18. darkknight

    darkknight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2021
    Messages:
    22
    Balance:
    41Coins
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    Quick update as I've been tuning and enjoying mainly AMS2 on my rig. What a project! Just about to add another actuator for seat belt tension x4 but will need to get onto the SFX100 discord server to print some 3D parts. Can anyone here sponsor me please?
    New additions include rudder pedals and cyclic for the upcoming AH64 in DCS, Varjo aero which I hope will be here before Christmas, beefed up cooling for the OC 10850K and new RTX3080.
    With all the mods I've been doing the spaghetti junction of cabling needs tidying up too so will def. do that whilst fitting the new motor. Overall I've been very happy with the build.

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 1
  19. Wuchtich

    Wuchtich New Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    Messages:
    1
    Balance:
    65Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    4DOF
    does the varjo aero work without problems with the SFX100?