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Starting My Full Frame 2DOF with plan to add traction loss and heave / built with slim tarp motors

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Projects' started by John Alexander, Jan 14, 2019.

  1. John Alexander

    John Alexander New Member

    Joined:
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    Greetings all,

    First I would like to thank everyone that is apart of this community for the wealth on knowledge and support you give. It is truly amazing.

    After years of hanging in the shadows of the forums I am excited to finally start building my very first motion simulator!

    Here are the details.

    This is going to be a full frame with the motors to be mounted up front, mainly because I really wanted to feel the sense of movement come from where the front tires would be. I think after this build I will try a seat mover because of the more sensitive feedback, but I just had to experience a full frame. Also I added the motors to the front because based on where the center of balance would be it would offer significantly more leverage and make it easier on the motors.

    I decided to use the slim tarp motors because there were not a lot of people using them. I know the fat ones are a no go but I did not read much on the slim ones at the time of purchase, so here is to making mistakes. They are also 600 Watt.


    Original Concept for frame:
    [​IMG]


    Current frame progress:
    It has a fully adjustable table and is solid as a rock. Should be able to handle a direct drive wheel if and when I ever update with out a problem. Excuse my welding, this project is my first real welding experience.
    [​IMG]

    Equipment to be used in preparing for motion simulator:
    [​IMG]

    Equipment Breakdown:
    3 - 12V 720 Power supply units
    2 - 600W Slim Tarp Motors (pitch and roll)
    2 - Sabertooth 2x32 motor controllers
    2 - Arduino 2560 Mega Boards
    4 - Hall effect potentiometers
    4 - Tie rod ends
    1 - Universal Joint:
    2 - 180W 50:1 Motor (traction loss and heave)

    Progress:
    1) Build Basic Frame - Complete ( No build Pictures, Sorry)
    2) Build Levers for motor - Complete (1/4/2019)
    [​IMG]

    First I added a shaft to each of the motors and pinned them in place with two bolts

    [​IMG]

    I then needed to create a lever. So I cut some flat bar. The goal was to weld it onto the end of the shaft. I will also needed to drill 2 holes. One to connect a bolt that will attach to the pot and another for the tie rod ends.

    [​IMG]


    Unfortunately my first lever came out messed up so I had to make three. I had marked a hole dead center but once I was done drilling I was a couple of millimeters off, just my luck.
    [​IMG]

    This is what the lever and pot connection will look like when completed. I am using rubber fuel line as my flex coupler
    [​IMG]

    To attach the lever to the shaft I welded them together. I am glad I remembered to put the bolt in before I welded, I almost forgot.

    [​IMG]

    Completed levers

    [​IMG]

    Next up I will be setting up and testing the electronics.
    Thanks for taking a read.

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 5
  2. John Alexander

    John Alexander New Member

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    Good progress over the weekend.

    I got everything mounted to the rig mechanically and noticed some play in the u joint I had purchased that was unsat.
    [​IMG]

    I did not want to wait a week to get a new u joint from ebay and set out for another solution.

    I took a trip to a local junk yard to look for a drive shaft. It was raining here in Charlotte NC, so I walked around looking to see if someone may have just left one on the deck that I could pick up.

    [​IMG]

    Lucky me, I bought this bad boy home. It cost me $30 bucks, but it is solid as a rock. Way better than whats on ebay. I highly suggest that any one looking for a u joint get one out of a junk yard instead.

    After the new joint was mounted I got to working on the electronics side of the house.
    [​IMG]

    I used an old pc tower for the electronics.

    [​IMG]

    Completely gutted it and laid out all the electronics.

    Afterwords I put the last touches on the simulator, which was connecting the pots to the levers.

    I took the rubber hose approach instead of the coupling.
    [​IMG]

    The motors tested fine and everything looks good. The next few days will be spent testing and configuring her.

    Here she is all put together.

    [​IMG]

    Hope you enjoy.

    Cheers

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. John Alexander

    John Alexander New Member

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    Got her working!

    I couldn't be happier with the performance. So happy I went with the full frame.



    Cheers!
    • Like Like x 3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
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    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,614Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
  5. John Alexander

    John Alexander New Member

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    Thanks a lot. Your posts really helped me get through this project. Thanks for the Roll information. I never liked the roll input and kept it low. That probably explains a lot. Can't wait to test it now.
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Halloween2go

    Halloween2go Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
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    Balance:
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    Ratings:
    +175 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform
    Good Job John! I really wish I could get my Oculus CV1 working so I could enjoy the track like you are doing! I put about 16Hrs on my rig so far. I was looking at the dump truck motors, but ended up going with the 50:1 crab pot motors instead. Even though your design is different than mine, it looks like your having a great time which is the main thing! Thanks for posting your build:grin