2DOF mini Arduino motion platform protoype

I've been playing with the idea of making a motion simulator ever since I played Project Cars on the Oculus Rift for the first time. The issue is I don't currently have the space to house one, not even a desk racer.

So for now, I thought I'd make a mini one to learn the basics. 2DOF using some servos and an Arduino. I thought about keeping it simple, maybe build it out of Lego. Or simple MDF for mounting plates and platform. But in the end I wanted a proper little design project, so created a 3D model so I could get the parts 3D printed (Brother in-law works for Shapeways - free prints!)

I've chosen the configuration shown in the video as it would appear that you achieve a better degree of movement of 'roll'. I notice many designs have the motors attached to the front corners, so the roll is achieved with some front pitch. Is there a disadvantage to my design by doing it the way I have when I scale up?

I'm sure I'll require some assistance along the way. I've already found the forum incredibly helpful. Especially the posts from @eaorobbie.

While I wait for my 3D prints to arrive I would like to hook my servos up to the Arduino and try out simtools. Learn out how to configure it using my design and get it working with PCars. Just need a pesky licence...
Here is a link to a video of the platform in 'action'

With your design, only the power of one motor is available to push/pull the platform for pitch and one for roll.
If you add the motors to the "shoulders", you have the power of both motors to push forward (pitch) or roll sidewards (one pushing, one pulling).
For your small scale modle, this is irrelevant I assume.

So will I have an issue if I scale up to full size? Is it a case of one motor for each not being powerful enough?

Here is a link to a video of the platform in 'action'

I would have added this to the original post, but can't find an 'edit' button for the life of me...

Fully agree. Efficiency is a design principle

I copied your video into the first post. You'll have an edit button after a few posts. That's for anti-spam-reasons.

Can you explain why it isnt cost efficient? I can understand why it could texhnically be mechanically inefficient as @value1 mentioned, but wouldnt it cost the same as mounting any where else?

I've seen commercial designs using the same set up, so a little confused

Cost of the motors is proportional to their power.

If you cannot control your motors nicely or one is faster than the other, you'll have for example an additional roll movement when pitching. There are also mechanical reasons for choosing your design.

Ahhh ok thanks, makes sense

So would you advise scrapping this setup in favour for a front corner mount setup if i went full scale? I guess theres a reason I havent seen many on here....

So that tilting the rig forward and back uses two motors rather than one (while sideways tilting will still only use one)? Which I assume works because most rigs are longer than they are wide?

Thanks, just making sure I understand the reasoning correctly.

Even for roll and sway, both motors are engaged.
Look at your fourth and fifth picture in post #1. To come from picture 4 to horizontal position one motor would push your body against gravity and the other motor would pull against gravity until you reach horizontal position. From there to picture 5 both motors have to break so that you stay in position 5 and don't fall too quickly or deeper.

Of course, obvious, that makes sense, thanks.

Ok thanks for the guidence @noorbeast amd @value1. For now I will stick with the prototype design to learn simtools and coding but will look to change the design if I scale up. I just need the plugin for PCars to start learning. Cheeky question, but dont ask dont get. Any chance of some coins so I can download it? Its the only driving game I own so seems overkill to purchase the whole plugins package.

OK i'm confused. I've downloaded and installed simtools and was waiting to be granted a licence. But I loaded it up and its in demo mode. All I want to do is test that my servos work. Can I do that in 'demo' mode?

Also, I'm struggling a little with the code side of things. I've followed the instructions from @eaorobbie but it loks like I have a different version of simtools. I tried loading in the preset but it says it's invalid. I have set them manually by opening the config file in notepad and manually copying them across. For the Arduino code, there's 2 INO files. Which one do I load up to the Arduino?

I've searched the forums but can't seem to find any posts about my issues - am I being a dumbass?

you need a key to get out demo mode either a diy or pro key.for a diy key https://www.xsimulator.net/request-diy-key-simtools/ or buy a pro key from here https://simtools.us/license/
here is how i managed to get my scaled model working https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/2dof-simulator-servo-model.6851/#post-77270
SimTools 2.0 Input Settings - The difference from SimTools 1.3 to SimTools 2.0 in setup is that instead of axis defined like this <Axis1> it is now like this to designate grouping for a or b <Axis1a>