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3DOF - AC Motor Platform - 95% FINISHED - 020515

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by cthiggin, Jan 27, 2014.

  1. Scratch

    Scratch Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Impressive, looks very strong indeed!
  2. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    BlazinH,
    Thank you sir...appreciate the comment.

    Verizon has been good here in AL - and I have very good coverage all over the southeast. When I do my "every two year" up-grade, my new phone has all my contacts /pics/videos that was on the old one.
    WELL, not when you go from an iPhone to a Droid....just the contacts and that's it....wish they had told me, and that was where the rub came in....they did give me a 100.00 credit by turning in my iPhone4?

    Many blessings and stay in touch.

    Tom
  3. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    RacingMat,
    Thank you so much.

    I "found" an on-line spring calculator - which I didn't really know how to use....had my parameters/measurements etc., but was just missing something. My friend here, @speedy, was able to compute
    exactly what I needed..........
    Out of 14 big companies here in US, only 1 would make the spring for me. Had it made at a tune of 325.00 US (for two of them - 310.00 for one / 325.00 for two) so have a "spare"....but it is
    designed exactly for "my platform" - weights / closed height - open height......... AND I am convinced that you just can't go to the junk yard and get a suspension coiled spring or strut spring and expect
    them to work........definitely a very heavy duty computation to apply in the "calculator" to come up with an exacting spring.

    Tom
    • Like Like x 1
  4. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Thank you so much Scratch.
    My professional motor/gearhead fellow here says it will lift a Volkswagen.............which is a good thing, but I'm sure not that heavy.....just know it will more than do the job.

    Tom
  5. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Thansk for your answer
    I agree with you!
    I've found as well calculator (in french) http://calcul.ressorts.org/compression.php and I'm awaiting the cost €€€
  6. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    RacingMat,
    Thanks for your reply. I will be anxious to see what your cost will be, compared to my US pricing...
    Let me know.

    Have a blessed day,

    Tom
  7. Martin van Hagen

    Martin van Hagen not trying brings you nothing! SimAxe Beta Tester Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    That is an awesome kit you have put together and would like to see it in action! :)

    I have a similar idea with 230Vac Servo motors and worm-gearboxes, starting with a 2 dof first but will build three servos after completion of testing one. :D
  8. BlazinH

    BlazinH Well-Known Member

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    Cthiggin would really like to see it in action too! Unfortunately, he has been on hold for some time now until he can acquire the necessary electronic components to drive his VFD’s and AC motors!
  9. vulbas

    vulbas Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, 6DOF
    wowwww i love your simulator :popcorn
  10. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Thanks vulbas and friends -
    Just few back this evening from visiting a terminal Mother on her 90th Bday.............

    I will put the Alum Diamondplate on the top this weekend - Then I'll put the RS1 Seat/Cockpit/42" Samsung on platform, and I'm done with exception of electronics, when should be in the next two weeks.

    Again, THANK you for you kind remarks - I've worked on/off all year on this rascal and as I've said dozens of times, it may not run as fast as other types of motion sims, BUT, it's going to look GOOD!

    Many blessings,

    Tom
  11. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    Sad to hear about your mother @cthiggin, it is never easy but I hope she enjoyed her birthday celebration with you.

    Your sim doesn't look good...it looks GREAT!

    I am looking forward to the post weekend updates.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  12. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    noorbeast,
    Thank you for your kind words about Mom......appreciate it so much..........logically, I'm fine as I know where she is going - but, emotionally, it's still my Mom...

    Yes, I will get pics posted as soon as I get the top on / then the RS1 and screen - Just found out this evening it's held up in Louisville KY, for customs inspection...so, maybe another week...but it is coming.

    Tom
  13. ericRacer

    ericRacer You get old because you stop playing ! Gold Contributor

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Sad to hear about your mother @@cthiggin, it is never easy .

    me too , i am eager to see your masterpiece in action !
    great job ! :thumbs
  14. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    ericRacer,
    Thanks so much for your kind words - and no, it's NEVER easy friend.

    Picked up the alum. diamond plate cover today for the top platform - looks great....

    I'll send more photos in as soon as the RS1 arrives - will attach the diamond plate Sat. morn.

    Highly appreciate your interest.......it's been challenging and very rewarding.

    Tom
    • Like Like x 3
  15. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    IT'S 95% FINISHED..............FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hello my friends.............................I've been promising to send pictures, I know for at least 6 months of my on-going build............WELL, it's 90% FINISHED, and I can use it in a static MODE, so at least I can learn to drive in AC - already have 8 years in FlightSim, so at least I can fly............

    What I have done:
    Platform / ac motors-gearheads / pots / belts / well, everything mechanical is done - used diamond-plate on platform top -
    Rseat RS1 / TM T500 / Logitech 906 Surround / 42" Samsung @ 1920x1080 / Wireless Logitech Keyboard/Mouse / Assetto Corsa & PCars Software
    My Custom PC Build - 4790K OC'd @ 4.9 Mhz - H-105 Corsair Liquid Cooling / 1000 W Corsair PSU / ASUS X79 Deluxe MB / Corsair Vengence Memory x 16 gig / EVGA 779 Classified GPU
    Thermaltake V-Core Case - Win 7-64bit OS
    I have spent countless hours drilling etc. to hide wiring as much as possible - (Me hates wires showing) - About 8 months to build - ALL of last year - (spent 4 months traveling back and forth
    with a terminally ill Mother)
    WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED:
    1. ButtKicker Gamer - Ordered but out of stock.....
    2. ARD UNO is flashed with SMC3 Firmware..............Thanks to @RufusDufus for helping me out on this - as I am a pure dummy on electronics............
    @yobuddy is working on two Opt-PCB Boards to complete my electronics........thanks to @yobuddy and his encouragement, I got off my butt and started my build.
    Our SimTools expert - very smart fellow - I thank him for his help and encouragement - and putting up with my silly questions and inpatience...again, I thank him.
    I also want to very much thank @speedy and @BlazinH for their help and encouragement - AND to ALL my forum friends........thank you for a wonderful site and
    the help you give.
    Hopefully you will enjoy my journey with the following pictures.
    Many Blessing,
    Tom

    IMG_0221.jpg





    IMG_0233.jpg
    IMG_0223.jpg IMG_0224.jpg

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 6
    • Winner Winner x 2
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2015
  16. insanegr

    insanegr !N$@n€

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    really nice "team" work you have done there.would be nice to share a video when you can.
  17. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Amazing job @cthiggin, I am really looking forward to seeing your rig in action.
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2015
  18. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Whaaaooooouuuuu ... That is a very nice-looking hard work that is Definitely Well Done :thumbs
    Perfect usage of the metal pipes ...:thumbs
    Simply Love it ... I would buy it for a 150 G ... Ple:grinase .

    xigKrAa4T.gif


    Believe me Tom ... It is really quit different feeling when driving with motion.
    So keep up the perfect work until it is really fine tuned .

    How much is the top platform weighs now ?

    Best regards
    Spe;)edy
  19. cthiggin

    cthiggin Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Thanks so very much Speedy for your kind remarks...........and to all the other folks who have responded with kind works and "stickies"...........sure appreciate it.

    Speedy,
    With ALL of the equipment on platform PLUS all 213lbs of "me", it comes in at 420+ lbs.......and in your spring calculation for me and my heavy duty motors/gearheads, should not be
    a problem at all to move it.

    I am "really" anxious to get it "moving" to complete the package.
    As stated, @yobuddy is building the two Opt/PCB boards for me, and I think they replicate your "all-in-one" boards........not sure, but I "think" so....
    Haven't heard from him in about three weeks, so I don't know the status of his build..... I have ALL my other hardware for the control box ready to go.......

    I would like to pm you in the next several days as I have a couple of questions about my VFD's and how to effectively program them......"your" VFD's nomenclature is a little different than mine,
    so I may ask you for al little help if that's ok.....just don't want to mess anything up at this point.

    Again, THANKS to all that have responded and to those members that did no respond...........I appreciate you taking the time to ponder.

    Many blessings to all,
    Tom
  20. speedy

    speedy Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Oh yes any thing you need ... and by adding "ponder" to my favorite English word list :) ... I have some small questions ...

    I'm not sure but I didn't see where that SimTools will work with 64-bit windows ... did you tested it ?
    Is the hole platform stable enough with these wheels specially when getting ON and OFF the chair ?
    and I guess the wireless mouse and the keyboard will tumble when moving ...
    and What is this Rascal unit ? is it related to the speakers ?
    IMG_0230.jpg

    Edit :
    Oh yes it is ... :oops:I'm definitely speedy on questions :p

    4f6df28e373a8daacd58240c1e2b10e698218.jpg
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2015