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Do Actuators Need Arduino?

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Clayton2318, Apr 1, 2016.

  1. Clayton2318

    Clayton2318 New Member

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    Joyrider
    Hi Everyone,

    I'm obviously a noob. I couldn't find an answer to this and I've spent more time searching than I'd like to confess.

    I'm still in the planning phase and have purchased all the plans from DIYsim#com. Their plans are based on using actuators. After reading several posts here it seems that the 12v DC motor is the cheaper route to go - except they have plans on how to make your own actuators. So when I add up all the costs (looked them up 1 by 1 on Homedepot#com) and compare them to a members project here using 6 DC Motors it is actually considerably cheaper.

    The blueprints I purchased though don't mention anything about arduino controllers though. I have plans on how to build your own Actuator, how to make your own pneumatic valves, and how to wire the actuators to a PC - does this mean the PC would take on the job of the Arduinos? And if so, does anyone know if this would be the same PC the game runs on, or would I need a second PC?

    I feel pretty comfortable being able to "build" stuff, it's the integrating, wiring, programming that has me pretty nervous.

    Thanks guys,

    Clayton
    Clayton2318, Apr 1, 2016
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    The PC needs some way to interface with and 'talk to' the actuators in a way that lets you use them with SimTools, and Arduinos would be a simple way to do that.

    DC motors with levers are far simpler hence their common use. But members like @SeatTime are building their own DC powered actuators to meet their design needs and for efficiency. It would be worth your while checking out such projects.
    • Like Like x 2
    noorbeast, Apr 2, 2016
    #2
  3. SeatTime

    SeatTime Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    AC motor, Motion platform
    SeatTime, Apr 3, 2016
    #3
  4. Clayton2318

    Clayton2318 New Member

    Joined:
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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Great - thanks guys
    Clayton2318, Apr 25, 2016
    #4