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

Question want to build a 6DOF for everything with Valve Index

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by sci666, Mar 18, 2021.

  1. sci666

    sci666 Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Messages:
    151
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    939Coins
    Ratings:
    +55 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    Hi There, i just baught my Valve index and its so great to game with it !
    I am german and live in the Cologne Area and iam an IT Guy with some DIY working skills

    so the next step is to build a Motion platform without the monitor stand nonsense :-D

    2 DOF is a bit to primitive for me, and also 3DOF has no side/forward/backward movements ...so everything whats left is a 6DOF.

    But! ... i dont want spend much money ! iam not an sim enthusiast ! so its for some racing games or space games like Star Wars Squadrons and so on. fun and the feeling in VR is in the first place.

    So goal is: minumum cost with maximum fun :) i dont want to build an engineering masterpiece and it should be also relativily small, dont want to build a giant rig, my wife will kill me !!!! :-D

    i can solder, i can weld, i have Metal and also a 3d Printer, a Logitech Steering Wheel and a Thrustmaster HOTAS, i have an old car seat and a strong VR PC :)

    so just burn some money ... hopefully less :-D

    first question is, what is better? using Motors or actuators ? i think motors are the cheaper value right ?

    are 6 cheap 24V DC wiper motors strong enough ? what wattage ? i mean my weight is 70 kg so iam a skinny person :-D
    + Seat and stuff maybe 100/120 kg ?!

    What does i also need, arduino for controlling all of it, 3x sabertooth thingies ? potentiometers and some more bits and pieces.

    Many thanks in advance for your hints and tips !
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
    Messages:
    20,463
    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Cheap for a 6DOF starts running into the thousands of dollars, what is your actual budget?

    No 6 cheap 24V DC wiper motors are not strong enough.

    Use the Enhanced by Google search box on the Recent page to search for 6DOF, then filter by date to find the most recent projects. While powerful DC motors can and have been used, you will find that many have now moved to using servos, either with DIY actuators or gearboxes.

    Actuators are mechanically more efficient than gearboxes, but can be more complex if you are building them.
  3. sci666

    sci666 Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Messages:
    151
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    939Coins
    Ratings:
    +55 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    mh really ? i mean the 6dof simukit set contains six 24v 440watt motors ... and this complete DIY set was sold for about 2400 Euros, so it must be enough (?) and all of this stuff is brand new ...1 motor alone 200 Euros ....i dont need new stuff ...iam a happy recycler :) so why not used stuff ? it costs nearly nothing. so iam not talking about money ... it costs what it costs but i believe i can beat 2400 euros by far with searching for good prices and used deals ! and the most of the frame i can build by myself

    you can always build things over the top for several thousands of euros/dollars, but thats not the plan as i said :)

    i will do a bit more research as you said, also with servo motors :)
  4. sci666

    sci666 Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Messages:
    151
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    939Coins
    Ratings:
    +55 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
  5. sci666

    sci666 Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2021
    Messages:
    151
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    939Coins
    Ratings:
    +55 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    ah forget it i saw tha case measurements ...seems to be really small :-D so no deal .... ;.D
  6. Bastiuscha

    Bastiuscha Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2017
    Messages:
    291
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    750Coins
    Ratings:
    +191 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    God, does your first post excite me badly. So really typical: I want the best, but it should cost nothing. As if other people build DIY's here because they have boredom. Let me tell you something... a "primitive" 2DOF is a hundred times better than a half-hearted shit 6DOF build. Sorry for my harsh words, but you need to hear this.

    If you want to have a 6DOF, you have to count with space. Such a seat needs a certain foot width, to absorb the lateral forces. Unless you bolt your Seat into the floor. As Noorbeast said, google different 6DOF projects, then you know what awaits you, technically and dimensionally . With 2500€ you can build something. If you order a lot from Ali Express, you can save a lot money.

    My recommendation: don't save to much on motors. In the end you buy twice. Sabertooth are already a good approach. Because i tell you...it is simply awesome... once you have a seat, you will never want to go back without one. So, do not be angry with me for my words, I will be happy to help you as far as you know what you like to build.
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 31, 2021
  7. MarkusB

    MarkusB Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2015
    Messages:
    552
    Location:
    Germany
    Balance:
    4,212Coins
    Ratings:
    +594 / 2 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, 3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Hi @sci666,

    if you are looking for strong and cheap DC motors, I recommend second hand wheelchair motors, which are frequently offered on ebay. With a bit of luck you get two of them for about 150 €. Maybe you need some patience until you have 6 of them.

    Besides, 6 DOF is not the only way to go. G seats / G systems are an interesting alternative, and you can find a lot of such builds in this forum.
    There are many different approaches, and they can deliver really good results in performance, price, and needed space (where the last parameter is usually directly related to the Woman Acceptance Factor).
    • Agree Agree x 2
  8. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    2,574
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brisbane Australia
    Balance:
    28,370Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,844 / 38 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform
    If your not an enthusiast, I recommend you at first build a 2DOF, it will demonstrate what motion simulation is all about without investing too much.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  9. Zed

    Zed VR Simming w/Reverb Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2017
    Messages:
    1,044
    Location:
    USA
    Balance:
    5,828Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,042 / 4 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Just to comment, 2 and 3 DOF rigs don’t sacrifice surge and sway. They just simulate it a bit more crudely than a 6 DOF can. You still get motion. If I come off throttle, my 2 DOF seat tilts forward which is actually very convincing as deceleration. Similar for sway or traction loss. It tilts me over but just a little.

    In VR, you only need to hint at the motion. The brain is already working to smooth over any inconsistencies in the view vs. what your body is feeling. That’s why people in VR can fall down if they are standing and even fall out of chairs. A 6 DOF is still a compromise anyway. There’s various motions those can’t simulate either.

    That also comes into play for compensation for rig motion. If a 6 DOF lifts you up in the air, your virtual head can poke out through a car or airplane roof. Other motions can also move you outside or around in a cockpit. In VR, motion requirements may be reduced depending on what you are looking for but there are also ways to compensate. VR changes the equation somewhat depending on what you need.

    Not arguing against a 6. I want one myself but am constrained by space and power requirements. Just saying that there are lots of considerations even into what kind of rig you need to build.
    • Agree Agree x 2