Simucube DIY thread

Well it look like OSW/DD wheels are here to stay, so we might as well start our Own Build thread and Info base,

Ill start out with a basic build list and links for more detailed info on How to make your Dreams come true with REAL 1:1 force.

wiki available here

https://granitedevices.com/wiki/SimuCUBE


The most important part being the Cube, Aka Granite devices Simucube, In combo with the Ioni Pro HC makes this a combo you cant compete with.





https://granitedevices.com/store/simucube-force-feedback-controller-board.html?options=cart

https://granitedevices.com/store/ioni-pro-hc-servo-stepper-drive.html?options=cart

If you can click in a GPU to a Mobo, You can install a Ioni Pro HC.


Next up is PSU, You need a minimum of 48v and from 480w upwards of 1000+ watts if you want to get crazy with the Overclock and have a Big mige. Ask for details if curious.

I went with a 600w cheap Ali Express PSU which ran me 60USD.

Mounted the Cube on 15mm stand offs and Drilled the stand offs into the PSU case.






I decided to torture myself and make this custom box, which in the end was a fun project as much as I bitc* about it.


Nice and square edges to work with



Panel all cut out for connections,

You'll need a Fan on the Cube as well. 5v 80mm did the trick nicely, Mounted it to the PSU intake side and tested with my E cig how the Air flow went through the case, Cube is Nicely chilled. Mission successful.





And Finished product






Motors of choice can be found here, I HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest the small mige with a 600w PSU exactly as i did for OC'ing reasons.

https://granitedevices.com/wiki/List_of_motors_for_SimuCUBE

If you Want a link to Get ahold of Mige motor mfg Directly, PM me and i can put you in contact with a Sales agent.



Next up will be Motor Wiring and Encoder wiring.


You'll want to pick up a Couple Ferrite sheilds (also work great on Motion controllers) And wrap up the power wires for the motor. As well as a DSub15 2 row





Encoder wiring for Small Mige.




Next Motor mount, Ya sure you can go buy a Fancy pivoting mount, but my whole wheel deck pivots, so no need to waste 100$ on a fancy mount, Ill just make my own....Enter some 1" square Alum Bar,





Next will be Quick releases and Wheels which are very open to the imagination, Anything from a Converted Fanatec BMW/Porsche/Formula 1 wheel can be converted for as cheap as the QR of your choice and a Teensy LC chip. Teensy being a whopping 12$ and the QR can vary pending which style your after.

Here's a little teaser of something to come. Shameless plug Check out OpenSimRigs.com for more details



I cant think of much else for right now, but ill edit this post with needed info as i remember.


@yobuddy Was that quick enough for ya.

MMos the current firmware for the SIMUcube can be obtained by visiting and joining virtualracing.org you will need both the MMosFFB tool and the MMosFFb FW files

Simucube open source firmware is in development without a release date. The current status of firmware is a "test environment" without actual meaningful functionality. If you would like to follow its development you can find it on Github HERE

SIMUcube threads

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/yet-another-osw-build.9308/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/open-sim-wheel-project-simucube-ioni-mige-servo.9210/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/rfr-steering-wheel-direct-drive-by-racingmat.6309/

Projects that relate to the construction of rims, shifters, and other items which are or can be adapted for use with OSW/DD wheels.

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/osw-diy-paddle-shifter-button-plate-bluetooth.9216/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/diy-bluetooth-f1-racing-wheel.8312/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/arduino-custom-diy-dashboard.6924/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/blue-tooth-with-bluehid.9394/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/diy-pedals-buttons-controller.8867/

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/diy-arduino-buttonbox.8302/



if you have a thread that I may have missed pm me and I'll add it.
A more comprehensive list of wheel projects can be found HERE in the FAQ's

Maybe it's time for an OSW/DD section. There are a lot of these builds lately and it would be very helpful to have all the info in one place.....ok now that this is settled lets take a look at just how this jem "SIMUCube" came about. The following is an excerpt from the Iracing forums and was posted by Phillip Jansen van Rensberg AKA: "Beano". Beano was kind enough to allow me to repost this so those that don't have access to the Iracing forums can also read.

Introduction
History -IONI
I had a first go at DIY DD FFB when a friend posted a link to what Bernhard Berger @bberger was doing in Germany, with the Argon drive. At that time I was playing around with his API, and shortly thereafter, MMoS came onboard and released a FW to be used on the STM Discovery evaluation board.

It was around this time I hosted the Argon build log here, the original Bruteforce, and quite a few guys jumped onboard and experienced the joys of DD FFB. I will forever be thankful for the efforts of Bernhard and Michael MMoS, which started me on this journey.

Around Q3 2014, Tero informed me they will do a new small compact drive controller, the IONI, aimed at the printer market. Well, I had some thoughts about this, and met with Tero and Aki late 2014, to discuss a few ideas over beers. I requested Tero to investigate if he could improve on the current 5-7A design spec of his original IONI ideas, and the new IONI, based in the 8x PCI-Express form factor was born.

The original design was based on the 4X PCI-Express size. We saw the first IONI's with relative conservative numbers, but today, there are several versions, and the ones we are interested in is the IONI Pro and IONI Pro HC. The former can do around 18A Peak-of-Sine, the latter, 25A, and very soon, I suspect we will be able to get our hands on 30A versions.....(more on this later)

History - SimuCUBE
Whilst both Argon and IONI projects made for a fun DIY DD FFB project, it was a laborious task, not easy for the average Joe to implement. Shortly after IONI was born, I started to think of ways to make the process simpler and easier, as well as improve on communications efficiencies et al.

In my mind, the best way to go forward was to have a simple motherboard, with an interface that can accept the IONI, and host all other functions onboard. It would require a single psu, have an advanced microcontroller onboard, reduced late cries and a host of other future features.

Key was that it had to support the current MMoS FW, allow for open-source fw development, and also support direct API control interface.

Almost exactly 1 year after meeting with Tero and Aki, we met over beers again.

I discussed my idea with them, and we brainstormed the features that I would like to see. I also ensured Tero it is a viable product for the DIY market, and as such, we moved from my concept idea, to a block diagram in the space of a few weeks.

Aki shared this and we discussed a few additions, to make the motherboard bullet proof, and Aki then went on to finalise the pcb design.

At the next meeting in Finland, and over sauna, beers and pizza, I was presented with a prototype, which I have since thoroughly tested. The Indiegogo campaign was kicked off, to big success for Tero and his team, whilst allowing is FYI types to get our fix.

I would like to give a special thank you to Tero, Timo, Aki and Esa, for listening to my crazy ideas, and bringing this product to the market. We, the community, owe you a big thank you.

The original concept idea:

quickly moved to reality:


Thank you again Beano and Granite devices.....

yep, I wrote this in february 2015
and first DIY Direct drive wheels came from racingfr.com in 2011 (we used blueboard and later disco and later simucube...)

https://www.xsimulator.net/community/threads/rfr-steering-wheel-direct-drive-by-racingmat.6309/

@Nick Moxley : beautiful QR!

Brilliant stuff Nick I'm steering (no pun intended lol) to deffo get one of these just worried a little about the weight best part of an extra 8kg in total.

Might just start buying parts over next 6 month and get it built on the cheap

@SilentChill. i ordered mine as as kit. roughly looking at individual prices i dont think it worked out much cheaper to build yourself. I paid £1,009 delivered which was a fantastic price. I know there isnt the satisfaction of building it yourself though.

I bet a lot of us will be using OSWs late this year. @SilentChill our next Xmas present???

@crammy I agree, DIY is the fun part of it. We are scarred now, as we were before building our rigs, but I don't regret doing it for all I learnt

Great work @Nick Moxley , insipiring. You should be payed for advertising OSWs I built my motion rig after seeing your video on the Assetto Corsa forum, and now this... My family's not gonna love you mate

Where did you get yours from? I'm shopping around see what's the best I can do. Everything for £1000 would be awesome but I think I will have to stop being a tight arse and spend more lol

What's the difference between getting a mige with 2500/5000/10000 encoder ? Take it that the 10000 you get more refined feeling ?

@SilentChill yes the higher the encoder the more refined i'm led to believe as it has 10,000 detection points round the 360°. i got the large mige accidently and was worried but they are fine now since the IONI PRO HC has more power.

I got from here but i forgot i didnt pay the VAT at checkout which made it cheaper. It may come back to bite me on the arse at some point but unlikely as i have paid and its currently on route with DHL

http://www.simracingbay.com/product/simucube-based-osw-kit-with-cm110-case/

That's where I was going to get one from but the VAT bumped it up loads so I sacked it off. I even had it in my basket ready to pay lol

I did the same mate a couple of times, had a few beers and just bought it. Do you know anyone with a LTD company or anyone VAT registered company? I just put my works VAT number in lol and it never charged me.

No I don't I doubt anyone would give me theirs either. Can't use my companies VAT number that's for sure lol

LOL. ill keep you posted on the outcome of this. Nothing may come of it. If it does i just get shafted for another £200

Quality stuff Nick ,,

@SilentChill yep it's defo a heart stopper when that VAT kicks in at checkout ,,,,,, I know the first word's out of my mouth were like Mother ****** ,,,lol

Thanks guys, Im aware there were a few misc threads about this over the years, but none were stickied to my knowledge and the Powers that be asked for it....so there you have it.


Re Encoder, I have a 5000ppr.....When reading up you can see that most will say if your going from 2500 to 5000 its fractionally noticeable, however going from 5000 to 10000 is negligible. I bought mine with the 5000 before the 10000's were available, SO by all means If your buying Now, Go for the 10000ppr.

Thanks matey, the Mige I've seen in China comes with a 2500 so I have asked for a price with 10000 so either way I am going to buy it as it is only £270 including FedEx delivery

@Nick Moxley

I love the looks of the QR, have you tested it already? Strong enough for a DD, Small Mige?