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2DOF v 3DOF v 4D0F v 6DOF

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by STEELJOCKEY, Dec 10, 2015.

  1. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    Can someone explain the various setups, what each is designed to achieve, and benefits/downfalls of one over another.

    In particular, in reference to building a seat moving only setup.

    Thanks
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  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Here is an existing outline: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/what-kind-of-simulator-for-me.214/

    What may suit you depends on what you are planing to use a sim for, your skills and budget.

    All sims are a compromise to some extent, and what are possible pros and cons depends on you first defining your own use criteria. A wiper motor 2DOF could be viewed as a great entry sim or as under powered and unsuitable for high end flight simulation, it just depends on the person, perspective and use case.
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  3. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    I'm into racing only sims. Currently my main drive is Project Cars.

    I have a full cockpit, that splits apart at the base into a seat section and wheel/pedal section, so was thinking of splitting of the seat section and building a motion platform along the lines of Pagnian's motion simulator.

    This means I'll probably be looking at a 2 or 3 DOF setup, probably using gearboxed motors from motiondynamics and some jrk controllers
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    The Motion Dynamics motors and JRKs are a great combo.

    Personally I have gone with a 3DOF compact design with heave, but am an experimenter rather than hard core racing fan: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/dx-racer-compact-simulator.5866/

    You may want to check out the various views on seat shaker Vs full frame design: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/full-frame-vs-seat-shaker-designs-which-is-better.213/

    For hard core racers traction loss is really popular: http://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/traction-loss.174/
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  5. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    This is what I have to start with, so I'm guessing 2DOF with heave would be good, probably cheapest too IMG_5127.JPG IMG_5128.JPG
  6. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    Do you actually need a uni joint under the seat if doing a 3DOF setup? Wouldn't the three motors hold up the seat?
  7. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Mine is a spring assisted 3DOF to take some of the load, so yes you do need the uni joint, or else you could use far more powerful AC motors for an unassisted 3DOF.
  8. Archie

    Archie Eternal tinkerer

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    @STEELJOCKEY - I built a full frame to begin with, and then to claim some space back in my room, I converted to a shoulder mount seat mover. Both were 2DOF. As @noorbeast points out, there are pros and cons for each design, for me these have been:

    Shoulder Mount:
    CON
    • Not a lot of sensation of Pitch (Having your feet on a full frame really helps you feel pitch)
    PRO
    • Surge and Heave are much more powerful now, and do somewhat compensate for the lack of Pitch.
    • If I slam the brakes on, my seatbelt gets so tight I actually let out a "grunt".
    • Speed of movement. When well balanced, you get flung around like a rag doll. I've had to dial down all my profiles from the foot mount days.
    • WAY easier to build than a foot mount.

    Full Frame Foot Mount:
    CON
    • Large build.
    • Heave and surge are somewhat lost as the "movement" happens at your legs, not chest.
    • Lots of frame re-enforcement needed to cope with the length of the rig.
    PRO
    • Pitch is excellent - Great for flight sims and also for the Nords track on AC / pCars.

    Likely a few others I have missed. I do miss Pitch when in a flight sim, but to be honest for racing sims, you really can't beat a shoulder mount.
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  9. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    @Archie - thanks for your input, the info is very helpful
  10. Barry

    Barry Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    I'll share my experience of my build so far.

    I'm building a 2 dof with traction loss. Although I have left the design somewhat open and large enough to add surge at a later date if I want to and also heave is an option but one I consider to a quite difficult one to get right due to the forces required. so I'm not intending to add it any stage soon.

    2 dof is awesome and provides pitch and roll which is enough for most people for great fun.
    Going from my figures here's the deciding factor for most people.. ...... COST (prices in UK pounds and include delivery).

    2 good motors and gearboxes - (£170)
    2 JRK controllers (£160)
    2 PSUs (£30)

    Traction loss adds:
    Motor
    PSU
    JRK
    Another frame with motor mount and levers etc
    Bearing for pivot
    Wheels or rollers
  11. donald

    donald Old Simer New Guys

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    My Motion Simulator:
    Motion platform, 6DOF
    u r complate right!
  12. STEELJOCKEY

    STEELJOCKEY New Member

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    Thanks for the info.

    I think my main problem though is going to be the seat slider. My current setup allows me to slide the seat back and forth for pedal and wheel reach, which is handy for getting in and out of the seat also. Though I could imagine it difficult to have a stable pivot point under the seat and still retain the slider.

    Thoughts?
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    You can have a fixed seat and instead use the slider to move the pedals.
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