Undergraduate ME Capstone Project

Yes @noorbeast the foot pedal is adjustable and that is one of the few things we still have to dimension. We'll take a look at where a full downwards heave places the pedal and adjust accordingly.

We slightly updated the design using SolidWorks of our upper platform, which will be made out of aluminum. We also added some holes for bolts.

Most of the aluminum we ordered came in, so that means we can finally get to building! Here's a few things we've cut so far. We'll start assembling the upper platform this upcoming week.

Hello all, I am one of the members of John's team.
We have decided to use Sabertooth 2x60 drives and we have access to 24V DC permanent magnet motors (about 30 of them lol, although we are trying to figure out more of the specifications). I have also been researching Thanos' AMC controllers, but I believe we will stick with Arduinos because of the technical issues users were having with the PID loops and such. We also have 2 Interstate 12V car batteries (picture attached) which I believe have around 50Ah, but this is not specified on Interstate's websites. We will probably be using these for the regenerative current from the Sabertooths if I understand correctly.

Additionally, I have some questions:
Is there a reason we cannot use 1 Arduino Mega to replace the 3 Arduinos needed to control the 3 Sabertooths?
We still need to purchase PSUs to power the Sabertooths. Do we need 24V 60A PSUs for each Sabertooth?

We appreciate any input!

Thanks for posting @staticshock ! Our team has been working hard these past few days updating the SolidWorks model with reasonable places to insert hardware, like our bolts, nuts, and screws. We are not exactly sure which quality of hardware to use. Do any of you have specific information or recommendations for us? The upper platform will mostly be made of aluminum, while the lower platform is almost all steel.

Our SolidWorks model has been updated. We redesigned the lower platform (made of steel), added our specific motors, an armrest, a yoke, and a throttle. We also included manufacturing details, such as bolt holes, mending plates, and then added plexiglass encasing for cosmetics and a place to house electronics. Our next design concern is finding a way to make the lower platform somewhat disassemble-able because it's bigger than the door of the room we intend to place it in. We're talking it out as a team. Any suggestions?

And we've been manufacturing our simulator! Take a look at the upper platform, made out of aluminum, which has almost been completed. The first of these 4 pictures displays the whole upper platform. Note that we've only attached a few of the upper rods because they're pain to put on. Also, see the chair in the back left. The next two pictures show mending plates on the triangles of the upper platform. The last picture shows a more detailed view of a heim joint attached with the misalignment spacers.

And finally for this update, we've also bought and roughly cut our steel. These steel channels will be used in our bottom platform, welded together and affixed with a black plexiglass on the outside.