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Question Actuator for 4DOF simulator.

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by Johannes Reginn Karlsson, Dec 2, 2020.

  1. Johannes Reginn Karlsson

    Johannes Reginn Karlsson New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF
    Hello!

    I saw this simulator online a few months ago and fell in love with it and wanted to build my own. (Link)

    I have been doing some CAD and research on the best approach for this.

    My first idea was to use rails from Igus like this (Link)

    So I made a Cad model with that idea.

    picture.jpg
    But looking at that model it doesn't feel right. So I did some research on here and found people making their own inline actuators, an idea I had thought of but dismissed due to the complexity of making them. But now I'm back to making my own inline actuators.

    But my question is, can I buy actuators somewhere that would work for a simulator like this or am I better of making my own ?
    Johannes Reginn Karlsson, Dec 2, 2020
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    • Like Like x 1
    noorbeast, Dec 2, 2020
    #2
  3. Johannes Reginn Karlsson

    Johannes Reginn Karlsson New Member

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    @noorbeast I was hoping to use stepper motors. I see a lot of people don't opt for those is there any reason for that ?

    I'm more looking to build a similar platform as a 6DOF simulator rather than having the actuators point downwards.
    Johannes Reginn Karlsson, Dec 2, 2020
    #3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
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    +10,779 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    There are plenty of member description of building actuators for a 6DOF, just use the Custom Google search on the Recent page.

    Smoothness and simplicity now that costs have fallen seems to me why servos are popular.
    • Like Like x 1
    noorbeast, Dec 3, 2020
    #4
  5. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform, 4DOF, 6DOF
    Steppers are cheap for a reason, they are not designed for use on dynamic motion systems. Only CNC equipment that the motions are predefined with single speed and low loading factor.

    Some steppers can offer torque up to 15Nm, but that drops exponentially to near zero as you develop higher speeds. I have made videos actually when was testing them to demonstrate this.




    Also the noise and vibration of the stepper motors is unbearable, especially during the first 0-200rpm when accelerate... real servomotors are completely silent at any speed.

    And then the power issue... stepper motors are using 24v or 48v, and need well sized supply that can draw constantly the max current when holding position (if closed loop type anyways). Totally inefficient and wasted power.

    Servomotors don't need power supply, you can feed the servo drive directly with 110v or 220v AC mains (single phase), and can hold position with virtually very low power drawn on leadscrew actuators.
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
    Thanos, Dec 3, 2020
    #5
  6. Johannes Reginn Karlsson

    Johannes Reginn Karlsson New Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF
    I have been looking at those actuators and gotten really inspired by these, will definitely have a go at making my own.

    Wow that's really helpful ! I knew they where noisy but didn't know they produced vibrations. I will look at some servo motors instead.

    Are there any Servo motors that the community here favors over others ?
    • Like Like x 1
    Johannes Reginn Karlsson, Dec 3, 2020
    #6