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Showroom G-Seat racing sim

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by NickD, Jun 11, 2022.

  1. NickD

    NickD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    93Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    I finally got to the point in my project where I feel I can post this thread and start my journey to build my racing sim. I would like to start by thanking the all in community for everything that is shared on this website. As I am sure for many, this is where I started with the idea that then spurred on further research. I initially wanted to do a 6 DOF but as I saw more projects and thought more about what I wanted, I seem to have decided on building a 3 DOF "G-seat" for racing with perhaps adding another DOF for traction loss in the future.

    My Goal
    I plan to build a version of what I have seen called a "G-seat" in which simulates G forces as well as motion. My inspiration on this site would be the likes of @Sielu and others, many thanks!

    Progress

    Materials purchased:

    Motor - (6) 12 VDC 300W 50:1 reduction (I only need 3 at the moment but I bought 6 because I originally wanted to do a 6 DOF)
    Motor driver - (6) IBT-2 drivers (2 for each motor); I also purchased some small heatsinks
    Potentiometer - (3)6127V1A360L.5FS rotary hall effect sensor
    Microcontroller - ELEGOO UNO R3 (these were a bit cheaper and I've used them before on other projects with no issues)
    Power supplies - (3) HP DPS-600PB these were modified like the tutorial found in the forum
    Couplers - (6) motor couplers for the output shafts found on aliexpress as well as some aluminum flex potentiometer couplers
    Linkage - 1/2-20 threaded rod and 1/2-20 female rod ends
    Frame - 1 1/4" square steel tubing

    Various hardware and tools I already have on hand. There are many things I have yet to purchase but will wait to do so once I get to those points. Some random unforeseen things purchased include wire ferrules, rivnuts, DIN rail terminal blocks, standoffs, etc.

    Assembly:

    Current steps taken

    • SMC3 downloaded to Arduino.
    • SMC3 Utilities v1.01 downloaded and port configured.
    • Wired up two IBT-2 motor drivers in parallel (the drivers run much much cooler in this configuration).
    • Tuned the motor via the SMC3 utilities and things seem to be running smoothly (well after I increased the FPWM to reduce the noise from these motors). However, I feel like there isn't much movement but perhaps I am expecting too much at this point in the project.
    • Next area I played with but haven't decided on what I want to settle on is the Clip limit and Max limit.
    Next (immediate) steps to take
    • Build frame and mount motors
    • Determine mounting area for power supplies and controller/periphery

    Unfortunately, this will likely be a thread that updates infrequently as I have many other things going on in my life as the likes of many others. Work, children, home projects, and plainly just finding free will be what restricts on my progress. I welcome any comments on improvements, concerns, or just questions in general and look forward to discussing this project with the community.

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 3
  2. hcee2022

    hcee2022 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2022
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    149Coins
    Ratings:
    +38 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Looks good, keep us posted on the progress !

    in my project, I tried with similar direct coupling of hall sensors first, but then changed to using gears. The increased detail of position measurement reduced jerkiness in the movement and motor noise as well.
  3. NickD

    NickD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    93Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    What gear ratio did you use?
  4. hcee2022

    hcee2022 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2022
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Finland
    Balance:
    149Coins
    Ratings:
    +38 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    I went with 50:20, same as recommended in Momolic's guide. That gives full 360 degrees sensor rotation when motor turns 144 degrees (72 degrees up/down). I'm then limiting the motor travel to something like 120-130 degrees with SMC3 to prevent going out of sensor bounds.
  5. NickD

    NickD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    93Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    Small update (even though it has been months :():
    One major hurdle I had to get over was my old computer was so outdated that my Fusion 360 account no longer worked a few months ago and I had to wait to save up and then build my own PC. This has subsequently also improved other aspects of working thankfully.

    I finally got the base together in order to mount the motors, however, it still isn't in its final stage. I have a steel sheet I will cut and weld to it in order to make space to mount all the controls and power supply's.
    20221004_174504.jpg
    I have designed the control arms that attached to the keyed shaft and have sent them off to be cut by water jet (should receive them this week). I tried different methods to do it myself, but I could ever get accurate results with the tools I have. I designed two attachment points for the lift arms at 70 mm and 85 mm for future preference on movement speed.
    Control arm.png
    The lift arms that attach to the control arms are also complete. I still need to drill out the seat supports that they will attach to and control. That will be a relatively quick step to do though.
    20221031_114830.jpg
    Lastly, I have redesigned my potentiometer bracket to incorporate a gear reduction such that it can utilize most of the range of the potentiometer during the limited rotational movement of the motor shaft.
    20221023_210432.jpg 20221031_114641.jpg
    Once I get the motor control arms in, I can assemble what I have done and do a little bit of testing before I start building the seat.

    Next steps:
    Quick rough assembly and test.
    Finish base and mount controls.
    Build seat, steering, and pedal supports.
    MORE TESTING AND ADJUSTMENTS...
    • Like Like x 2
  6. NickD

    NickD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    93Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    Small update:
    Received the water jet cut control arms. Turned out pretty good but the tolerances were a little tight for the keyed shaft which left me with some minor filing. However, when two were installed on the motor I noticed that the keys on the shaft were offset slightly by a few degrees. This meant that the rods on the lift arms (that I precut to the same lengths) would be at different heights at any given point during the motor's rotation. To correct this, I used a level and added some washers inside of the seat frame support so that it wouldn't be cockeyed. The seat frame support really wouldn't care even if I had left it unlevel as it will incorporate a heim (rose) joint at the top of it anyhow, but it bothered me so...
    Not much of an update but I do as much as I can when I get a little bit of free time. Once I get a replacement drill bit (broke when drilling out the hole that provides the clamping to the shaft), I can finish the control arms and then move on to the rest of the frame and seat. I also need to add my 3D printed support for the potentiometer to test and make sure there's enough clearance during the desired rotation. I thinking I'll be cutting that close though.
    20221111_185512.jpg 20221111_185518.jpg
    • Like Like x 3
  7. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,234
    Location:
    Marseille - FRANCE
    Balance:
    20,895Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,084 / 21 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Hi!
    good start for this great project :)

    What kind of G seat actuators do you intend to use?
    paddles? pressure bladders?
  8. NickD

    NickD New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
    Messages:
    11
    Balance:
    93Coins
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    6DOF
    I intend to use paddles.
    • Informative Informative x 1
  9. Kenshiro27

    Kenshiro27 Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2021
    Messages:
    161
    Balance:
    16Coins
    Ratings:
    +63 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    nice job, can't wait to see more
    • Agree Agree x 2