DIY 2 DOF for Beginners

My initial quest was to find out if someone with limited computer skills could build a working 2DOF motion simulator without breaking the bank . After 9 months of building and with an enormous amount of help from Noorbeast I now have a functioning rig that I run No Limits 2 roller coaster for my grand kinds , Microsoft flight sim and automobilista 2 for myself . With more to be added as I get the games .

My materials list

1 Sheet of 19mm Tri Board

1 Car steering universal joint

1 600w 24 volt power supply

2 250w 24 volt motors

1 Arduino board

2 IBT2 motor controllers

1 old computer case

Various nuts, bolts, screws and brackets

My total cost was about NZ $700.00 most of this being the motors and power supply.

Please this cost does not include the computer, controllers of screens .




The bottom sheet is 1050 cm x 750 cm

The top sheet is 1250 cm x 560 cm




I welded 2 plates to the universal and bolted it to blocks to give the height needed to fit the motors and attached potentiometers to the end of each motor shaft



I used an old computer case to hold the Arduino ,the IBT 2 controllers and the 24 volt power supply



I have used an old computer table as the mount for the flight yoke and Steering wheel . After removing the base from my old seat and bolting it in place we have this.




I have added a few bits and pieces like a better seat mount and a 5-point harness which makes it look better. I will post a video of the completed rig running in the next couple of days.

I have a question what program do you use FlyPTmover or Simtools ?

I have used simtools supplied by this site

I have tried to upload a video but it states I cannot upload an mp4 file . What format do I need to use

Just to add a note for anyone thinking of trying this kind of construction . After some use I have noticed the top board is flexing and has developed a bow from front to back . Apart from creaking it is not causing a problem at the moment but I feel it may do in the future. I will try and work out a way to stiffen it up and will post pictures when completed of if anyone has had this problem can you let me know how you fixed it.

You could brace the board with angle iron. Aluminum or steel. You could cut it to length, clamp in place along edges, drill right through it in many places and bolt them together. Welding wouldn't be needed if not in your toolset.

Wouldn't help much with twist but would greatly reduce flex.

Thanks I have used 50mm x 50 mm x 2mm thick box section steel running the length of the platform connected with 75 mm x 50 mm timber and topped with 7 mm ply wood using numerous screws to hold in place pictures to come on completion

As you can see the platform is far more robust and with the steel box section running the full length of the platform there will be no bowing. Also there is verry little flex

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-k-79hU-W5c
I uploaded my video to YouTube but when I tried to Embed it the system said the url could not be embedded as media . ot sure what I am doing wrong

After posting my last question I find the link works just by copying and pasting the url to the reply . The video was taken before the new platform was installed so now most of the creaks and groans have gone

Ok now for the next step traction loss.I am going to use one of the 12v wiper motors with its own power supply . As my rig is quite heavy I will run 3 wheel tracks to spread the weight. If anyone can see any major problems with this Idea please let me know. I will post pictures as I progress.

What weight loading should I be looking at for the casters . I have found some 2 .5 inch fixed casters rated at 60kg each if I run 2 rows of 4 will this be OK

I have started to collect the bits I need to add traction loss I already have a spare IBT2 controller a 12volt motor and 12 volt power supply . Will it cause any issues with 2 motors on 24 volts and 1 on 12 volts

Are there any plans available that show where the pivot point needs to be . Without changing my existing platform my pivot will be about 100mm behind the pedals. Will this work or will I need to move it further forward.