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

It moves, time to start.

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by dberg1, Mar 31, 2015.

  1. 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
    OK understand the 30 second gearbox upload_2015-4-1_16-41-7.png . Re the relay, yes it will close the loop, but I guess it is just on-off/reverse-forward? A decent PID routine will allow varying motor speed dependent on how far from the current tracked point the target is - this stops it overshooting or hunting in a sim due to the fast moving target. Anyway, have a play if you want, as you seem to have access to some cheap/free equipment and good luck with your seatmover project.
  2. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Seat, I figured that would be the issue, and reversing a motor at full speed = higher than lock rotor amps. I was hoping someone would say, hell yes , done a bunch like that, works like a champ(wishfull thinking). Even though I do have access to a wide range of equipment, my time is at a premium right now. I've been testing the boards dave 001.JPG on the actuators with 4-20ma signal forward/reverse/stop, but the pot on the board is still the controlling factor for the motor, so even if I came up with a code for the arduino for 4-20ma output, it wouldn't vary the speed. To me it would be like a relay setup. I still would like to use the 115vac motors so I may have order a 1phase vfd, but that gets pricey, and that puts it on the wife's radar way too early in the project. Does any one know of a arduino code that will output 4-20ma/0-5v signal for our purposes? Which leads me to my next question. Does an arduino code have to be specifically written for simtools to receive commands or will it work with any serial purposed code. The reason I ask is I've seen some codes that I may want to try from the robot community. I know nothing about code, I would love to learn, but do not have the time or brain capacity.
  3. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Well after more reading, and testing my wiper motor with it hooked directly to 12v, I decided to go the winch route. I know the wiper motors would be good for the seat alone, but I would rather make my current sim as a whole move, and put the aces2 in it, I have not abandoned the 115v actuators yet but, I need something working to keep me motivated. I am ordering 2000lb winch motors from amazon tonight, and still planning on using my arduino uno with a moto monster, I have also read that the moto monster has had mixed results with winches in terms of power. I'm thinking, if there is an issue with it not having enough power can I twin the moto monster with an identical one, and run it in parallel. Has any one tried this? I know I should go with the jrks, but I think the arduino will suit me better with the future direction of the project.
  4. 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
  5. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Wow! That's exactly what I was thinking. Again you guys just saved me a lot of time. Thanks Noorbeast for the link, and to Pit for the tutorial. I would love to tag you guys, but can't figure it out.
  6. 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
  7. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Hey did you know there is a FAQ area that tells you how to use the forum:blush? Thanks again @noorbeast, that was just lazy on my part.
    • Funny Funny x 1
  8. 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
    I have only started adding the forum use section to FAQs today @dberg1, so no apology necessary.

    Hopefully the FAQs will soon be extensive enough to quickly answer common questions, but there is so much info on Xsimulator that it will never capture it all.

    Just a tip, if you want to find something specific you can use a Google search like this, as the site search function is a bit limited: WhatYouWantToFind site:xsimulator.net
    • Informative Informative x 1
  9. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Finally commited. Ordered 2 2000lb winches off amazon. Can't wait till they get here to start making the main base and mounts. Planning on making a 2dof platform with cv joint out of front wheel drive car for pivot point, and winches with moto monsters. @Pit's tutorial on "stacking" the monsters sold me on the idea, and finally gave me the push I needed.
    • Winner Winner x 1
  10. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    3,013
    Location:
    Switzerland
    Balance:
    30,409Coins
    Ratings:
    +3,088 / 31 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    If you need any inputs how to transform the wheel and axle of the winches into a lever (i used a shimano bottom bracket):
    20140110_161124.jpg
    • Useful Useful x 2
    • Creative Creative x 2
  11. 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
    If possible a car universal joint would be preferable to a constant velocity joint for the pivot, as a CV can allow some unwanted twist.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  12. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    @Pit nice work, I'm looking at a couple differant options. Are you using a hand crank from a manual winch for a lever? Tying to figure out what would have a square hole. @noorbeast thanks for the heads up, I thought a typical u-joint would be over kill but after reconsidering the possible weight, your right, better to be over than under.
  13. 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
    Yu are welcome, but it is not the weight that matters with the uni joint @dberg1 , it prevents lateral twist which a CV joint does not.
  14. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Got it, thanks
  15. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    3,013
    Location:
    Switzerland
    Balance:
    30,409Coins
    Ratings:
    +3,088 / 31 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    No it is a bike crank for children bikes, 15cm long:
    0112818-0.jpg
    • Creative Creative x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  16. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    @Pit, well that makes sense, and explains the threads, brilliant! Any idea what kind of weight that set up will move lbs or kg. Thanks.
  17. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    Also, it show how long I've been out of riding bikes, I was thinking shimano in terms of fishing.
  18. 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
  19. Pit

    Pit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    3,013
    Location:
    Switzerland
    Balance:
    30,409Coins
    Ratings:
    +3,088 / 31 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    DC motor, Arduino, 6DOF
    The limit is given by your welding skill level, motor driver, your psu and your 10A wall socket if using 750 watts winches :)
  20. dberg1

    dberg1 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    37
    Occupation:
    refrigeration pipefitter
    Location:
    west of chicago,il
    Balance:
    150Coins
    Ratings:
    +16 / 0 / -0
    :)[/QUOTE]
    Finally some progress. received the winches, and ordered 3 motor monsters(decided to roll the dice with cheap ones off ebay $11 each) so here is what I decided to do. Although I can weld I wanted to see if it could be done without welding. Hey, what do you tell someone with single digit IQ...nice weld! (just a little pipefitter joke). After disassembling the winch I realized the spur gear that connects to the spool was 18mm, so using an 18mm socket and a 1/2 inch(12mm) key stock shoved in the drive of the socket extended me out to the arm, and the 3 piece crank arm just happened to be the same size as the key stock(with corners ground on key stock). Now the bearing, I happened to have some 1 3/16 bearings and shaft, so I mounted the bearing, cut and drilled the shaft(using the 1 3/16 shaft as a bushing between key stock and bearing). every thing went together great. I did however decide to weld to key stock to the bearing on one end and 45% silver solder the 18mm socket to the gear and to the key stock to prevent any play when reversing direction(it had very little play before). If someone wanted to use a winch set but can't weld, or no access to equipment it is possible. daves 4-25-15 037.JPG daves 4-25-15 035.JPG daves 4-25-15 034.JPG daves 4-25-15 038.JPG daves 4-25-15 033.JPG daves 4-25-15 040.JPG
    • Like Like x 2