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Question Worm Drive Motor Wear with High Fidelity Motion

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by PMK, Dec 30, 2020.

  1. PMK

    PMK Member

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    I've currently got my sim running really nicely, super sensitive to bumps, road feel etc.
    I'm worried that driving the motors back-and-fourth at these frequencies might cause motor / gearbox wear.

    Does anyone have experience or advice on how "hard" you can push worm drive motors in terms of high frequency motion?

    I can enable filters in SimTools to dampen it a bit but it doesn't feel anywhere near as nice/detailed.

    Is this something I need to be worried about?

    I'm using these motors from Motion Dynamics and well within torque/power limits.
    https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/worm-drive-motor-12v-24v-200w-180-rpm-20nm-torque.html
  2. Dan Aitcheson

    Dan Aitcheson Member

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    I'm not sure on those exact boxes, but most I have seen have a metal worm gear and acetal or nylon gears for the reduction. So these will wear before the worm does. Might be worth asking if they can supply replacement gears for the box at a reasonable price?
  3. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    It depends a bit on the design of the rig, but those motors from Motion Dynamics are pretty hardy.

    I have worn out the small cushioning spider coupling ($16 AU each) between the motor and gearbox, which take the brunt of shock loads in fast reversals, and I tend to replace those annually, but have not had issues other than one failed 60:1 wormdrive, which I think was just a one off, as the other one, subjected to the same punishment, has been going for years and it and the replacement have never given further problems.
    • Like Like x 2
  4. PMK

    PMK Member

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    Awesome, thankyou!

    Is there any information on how to replace the spider couplings? I belive the motors I'm currently using have nylon couplings so might as well upgrade them.
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2014
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    Occupation:
    Innovative tech specialist for NGOs
    Location:
    St Helens, Tasmania, Australia
    Balance:
    144,620Coins
    Ratings:
    +10,741 / 52 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, JRK
    You just undo the 2 bolts holding the motor to the gearbox, pull them apart, change the spider coupling and properly align the flat on the motor shaft with the gearbox as you put them back together, it is really easy.
    • Like Like x 1