Question Sourcing actuators and power electronics

Hi there.
I am trying to source actuators for my 6DOF build. I like not only racing but i want to try also flight sim. Both with VR.

Now firstly i choose 300mm travel, 500mm/s, 1kW actuators with chineese controller. I see the prices are not easy for hobby projects, but i dont want to build the actuators by self, i could but i have enough other projects in progress

As far as i understand correctly i need a thanos controller to connects that 6 servos to the software. Is it still top, or should i go any other way in 2026? Maybe that knaufinator controller is okay also, i am familiar with ESP32 and soldering.

Do You have any recommendation on actuators, i would also accept 500mm stroke when the price is nice.

I got a calculation for an actuator called QDA75-R300 from QIANGDELI and a controller P100S AC Servo from DVS. Seems this can be controlled my pulses or by RS485.

First you should choose the Controller you want to use. The only Controller supported by Thanos is the AASD. Otherwise there is Motion4Sim who supports more and modern controller with Canbus, but even there are only few Controller who gets supported.

Hmmm, i thought thanos can give direction and pulses to any controller who accepts it? That controller i got offered have same DB25 connector.

Both Thanos and Motion4Sim controller provide step/dir signals which are accepted by many, many servo brands and types. But it is recommended to use the AASD types because then you can use simple 1:1 DB25 cables and don't have to worry about soldering custom cables.

But if you want you can use different servos, example look here. But be warned, if you're not an electrical engineer and have lots of patience it might be difficult to get the wiring and servo parameters right. You need to make special cables or adaptors for the connectors.

Ok, that i fully understand and agree. The P100S AC Servo looks of same AASD standard. Anyway, electrical i feel strong to overcome the problems even if doing self cabled and more, have several projects done with motor controllers, positioning etc.
Can You give me any tip about the actuators? Is 300mm stroke too short for good feeling in race sim? For flight it is probably better to have longer, but longer gives more rotating mass so it will probably have less acceleration then.

I have offer for the actuators (300mm travel) with servo for $600 plus shipping ($100 by air).

That most DIY are 300mm or more stroke?

Flight sims may need more travel, 300mm is plenty for a driving sim

What would be recommended for flight, lets say as good at least, i dont need best flight sim but i would like to try it anyway. Plan is mainly for VR.

If you use ball screws you can have very long actuation distances - but the actuators tend to be noisy and a bit expensive

A rotary actuator with a gearbox can be faster but will have less travel available - they are cheaper to build and the geabox ratio will allow cheaper less powerful motors to still work ok

You can use a dc motor and driver or use a servo motor like the mige

At the end of the day its down to effort and cost

I understand the noise, specially at high speeds. I want to go for linear actuators, that steward platform with gearboxes and arms, somehow i dont like the design, i see its cheaper. Also i understand the longer the linear actuator, so the longer ballscrew we have more rotating mass, so mowe power or less acceleration, therefore i am not sure if i want go for much longer actuators. Maybe i go for 400mm travel as compromise.......

How much travel you need depends mainly on how the actuators are placed relative to the seat and how far away from the center they are.

If the actuators are placed under the seat and close to the center as little as 200mm stroke can be enough to achieve the same bank angles than with 500mm stroke when the actuators are placed around the rig and relatively far away from the center.

linear actuators with enough power and speed are not cheap to buy - it's cheaper to make your own