The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

[sjb266]

Hey guys. Thought I’d create a thread for those taking the plunge into this brilliant DIY project..
I will be starting mine soon and I know there are others thinking about it.. so feel free to share your knowledge and experiences so we can all enjoy this platform to its full potential. A huge thanks to the developers who have really knocked this one out of the park!

Website: https://opensfx.com/2019/02/20/welcome-to-our-new-site/

Github: https://github.com/SimFeedback/SimFeedback-AC-Servo/wiki

For all the internals for the actuator contact Amy - skye@ntl-bearing.com
She can supply everything you need. Just remind her you want the ends of the shafts chamfered and make sure she sends the right sized ball screw - we have had a couple of issues reported. She is very helpful though and the cost is pretty good.


Huge thanks to @RowanH for writing a comprehensive user guide which can be accessed here - https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

In addition, @anton_Chez has contributed a list of post numbers for some of the important settings etc..
Post #320 SFX-100 thread
Post #327 SFX-100 thread for Discord correlation
Post #339 SFX-100 thread
Post #418 SFX-100 thread
Post #424 SFX-100 thread
Post #439 SFX-100 thread
Post #449 SFX-100 thread
Post #517 SFX-100 thread
Post #554 SFX-100 thread
Post #580 SFX-100 thread
Post #826 SFX-100 thread
Post #837 SFX-100 thread
Post #864,866,867,868,870,887,889,897 SFX-100 thread
Post #911,914 SFX-100 thread
Post #988,992,998 SFX-100 thread
Post #1147 SFX-100 thread
Post #1492 SFX-100 thread
Post #1511,1517 SFX-100 thread

I will try to keep this page updated with links to source the parts in other parts of the world. Just post whatever links you have and i'll add them here.

Please note: Not all the parts listed below are essential for the project. For the essential parts refer to the original shopping list.

Australia:

• O-Ring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kit-419Pcs-O-Ring-O-Ring-Black-Rubber-32-Sizes-With-Case-3-50mm-W8D7/223152697816?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Sub breakout board - DB25 25pin Female Adapter RS-232 Serial Terminal Module Breakout Board Connector
• Emergency Stop - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reliable-Emergency-Stop-Push-Button-Box-600V-Switch-for-Elevator/192115082001?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Arduino Wiring - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-pcs-Dupont-Cable-20cm-Jumper-Wire-for-Arduino-RPi-breadboard-AU-Stock/202436863098?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=502467628096&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• Breadboard - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-Solderless-Breadboard-400-Contacts-Tie-points-Universal-Available-New-lemon/123145741183?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
• D-Dub Cable - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-D...h=item3f6ace6403:g:038AAOSw9mpaSsU2:rk:1:pf:0
• Screw Shield for Arduino Leonardo - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Scr...h=item25a9d471a4:g:5BgAAOSwraJbc9rC:rk:1:pf:0
• Arduino Leonardo Replica - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DIY-Eduino-Leonardo-Module-with-USB-Cable-for-Arduino-ATMEGA32U4-Blue-Black/132719951279?epid=916281063&hash=item1ee6b9bdaf:g:2QUAAOSw5iNbWv6b:rk:123f:

Thanks to @AussieSim for the following links:

10A power lead(s) * 4
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2m-black-mains-extension-lead/p/PS4152

Top quality wire stripper
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/boxo-cutws205-multifunction-wire-stripper

RCD/safety switch power block
https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-4-outlet-heavy-duty-portable-safety-switch_p4420028

WD-40 lithium grease for the ball screws
https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-300g-high-performance-white-lithium-grease_p6100408

Vibration pads
https://www.bunnings.com.au/whites-on-site-100-x-12-5mm-rubber-anti-vibration-mat-4-pack_p3961547

WD-40 Dry PTFE spray for the slider (free shipping)
https://au.rs-online.com/mobile/p/lubricants/7577134/

Arduino Leonardo (free shipping + frequent 10-15% off discount)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/a000057/arduino-corporation

DB25 cables * 4 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/ak401-2/assmann-wsw-components-inc

PETG * 3 (free shipping)
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/petg17bk1/mg-chemicals

WAGO-like connectors to avoid a breadboard (perhaps use genuine ones if you are doing 240V AC)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32906719488.html

D-Sub breakout boards * 4
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32297675967.html

3D printer Creality Ender-3 Pro
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32918302452.html

Wires from Arduino to D-Sub breakout (remove black plastic from the WAGO end)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32887680826.html

Crimp connectors for AC wire leads
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813550981.html

 

[anton_Chez]

For those that asked (I think @Mr Latte?) the actuators do give tactile with the motion disabled or muted but only for a short while. After maybe 30 seconds or a minute the system powers down when it recognises there is no motion going to the servos. You could get away with it by enabling one effect and making it super smoothed and very low intensity, just enough to generate a response from the motor so the system stays active.

I've tried this. I was wondering how the tactile felt myself, but as we've said before and even with the V3, tactile is somewhat dulled by motion. I wanted to remove the motion and see how comparable the actuators are to small units like the Mini LFE. I will say this. The tactile side of the SFX100 is pretty confusing, for me anyway. That's why I think it's going to take some time to figure it all out and offer a comparable solution to smaller tactile units. I think as an owner of an SFX system, your best tactile usage would be to generate some really nice engine tones and leave mostly the rest for the actuators. A general rule of thumb for me would be leave anything impact bases completely out of your thinking for tactile. Let the actuators do their job and save the tactile for more harmonic based effects like engine, slipping tyres and maybe even a touch of lateral and longitudinal G.

We can move this discussion over to the other thread which I have just added to the watch list, so try respond to this over there and we can flesh it all out a little better. Rodney will be keen to hear our experiences as well without flooding the main thread with tactile journal entries........

 

[anton_Chez]

This guy with his Pimax problems.

I've had a non working tracking number for over a week now, mate. Imagine what I have to look forward to when it ever gets here. I wonder if they remembered to put it in the box.......

 

[jimbraj]

State tax? Crazy.. unless a business has a presence in the state they shouldn't be charging state sales tax.

it just started in a lot of states. all online business have to collect tax

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

The Kinetek links on the Wiki only take you to the homepage for some reason. Ive spent some time searching for the 3 items on the website...

Can someone in the know confirm these are correct?

https://www.kinetikmsystem.de/profi...l-aluminium-natur-eloxiert.?number=H950N1010z

https://www.kinetikmsystem.de/profi...eduzierhuelse-rh10/m8-material-stahl-verzinkt

https://www.kinetikmsystem.de/profi...-verzinkt-schwere-ausfuehrung?number=H93N45M8

EDIT: Ive just realised there are working links on the new SFX website - doh!
https://opensfx.com/shopping-list-and-sourcing-parts/#shopping

 

[anton_Chez]

Look fine to me. Just make sure the measurements you're ordering are exactly listed in the shopping list. Pretty sure the profile is K50 so you're good there. The slot nuts look fine, just check the threaded inserts to make sure size is exact or they'll be useless.

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

Just curious as to why the quantity of the nuts is 16+ and not 16? Im guessing 16 is the bare minimum required but if you can get more on your rig, go for it?

 

[anton_Chez]

Yep most likely. I actually didn't order the slot nuts as I had a whole bag of 8mm left over from the SimLab build. 16 will give you 4 brackets per actuator, which is probably the most recommended amount. You could get away with less individual brackets if you have say, a double bracket that connects into multiple slots but is a single bracket. You'll still need the 16 slot nuts for this however. I have 4 gusseted brackets per actuator and it seems to be fine. How you connect them is up to you. I run 2 on the sides and 2 on the inside of the actuators connected to the top of the mail side rails of the chassis.

 

[Mascot]

Holy crap, I did NOT ever expect to see these little buggers. They've been on a tour of Britain since arriving here from China exactly a month ago. A few springs and ball bearings seem to have come adrift in the process, but goodish things come to he who waits, I guess. Just in time for the actuators to be fitted, too.

 

[Ahikam Naor]

I sent payment to Kinetikmsystem via Paypal last Tuesday and have not got any response from them yet? how long it took them to send your order?

 

[anton_Chez]

Lol read back 100 pages and get some popcorn ready. Or a pillow to scream into.

Either way, enjoy the show

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

UK / United Kingdom / Great Britain / England all seem to be missing from Kinetik address box again.

I wonder how long before they re-appear, again?

 

[leeroy605]

UK / United Kingdom / Great Britain / England all seem to be missing from Kinetik address box again.

I wonder how long before they re-appear, again?

Make sure you keep the site in German language when trying to enter your address. The UK option seems to disappear when changing it to English. You're looking for Großbritannien in the list.

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

Make sure you keep the site in German language when trying to enter your address. The UK option seems to disappear when changing it to English. You're looking for Großbritannien in the list.

Thanks, yes I thought I'd read that somewhere - ive tried every combo of UK/German/create account first/add to basket first etc and it seems to have disappeared for today. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

It was Google translate that was cocking me up. When I turn that off all is well

(I was changing the flag thing on the website to stay in German.)

 

[ScottSonder]

The alu profile sourcing is by far the most painful. Amy in China is stellar, they respond in half a second.

I've been trying to get this German company to add my apartment to my address. I've had the invoice for a week, and I don't want to pay it because I can't get the apartment added to it. Not even sure if it would help, but I can't even call into the country/company. It's maddening, how are these the only guys with this kind of extrusion? But yeah, once you've got the invoice in, just expect to get it in a month after. Rowan is right that these guys aren't really business to consumer facing.

The pain continues, the need for SFX grows.

 

[leeroy605]

There was a post early in this thread mentioning a way via browser extension to automatically download and save the entire thread page by page to a word document for easier searching/referencing.

Does anyone know what that was or how I would do this? There's some seriously valuable info in here that's hard to find considering the size the thread has grown to! Would be good to have on my desktop to search for certain terms then go to the page in the thread.

 

[Mascot]

I sent payment to Kinetikmsystem via Paypal last Tuesday and have not got any response from them yet? how long it took them to send your order?

Don't expect any response whatsoever and you won't be disappointed. The stuff will just arrive one day as if by magic.

 

[ScottSonder]

Does their phone number actually work? I can't call in from the U.S. Wondering if any internationals have had success there. It's just a small logistics error! I've waited too long just to add my dang apartment number even considering the slowness of these guys.

E: Are the German gods watching this thread? I just got an email with my updated shipping address. Oh my, what a day.

 

[ScottSonder]

There was a post early in this thread mentioning a way via browser extension to automatically download and save the entire thread page by page to a word document for easier searching/referencing.

Does anyone know what that was or how I would do this? There's some seriously valuable info in here that's hard to find considering the size the thread has grown to! Would be good to have on my desktop to search for certain terms then go to the page in the thread.

Shouldn't matter anymore, opensfx.com has working links to everything. I've had everything ordered stateside for a while now besides the German stuff, but the German site isn't confusing. There's a drop down on the top right, don't translate it, American has a very German looking name in the drop down. Boom. Now you're in the 3 month customer support queue

 

[dedraro]

In the meantime I wait o-rings and couplers, I gave myself a little to do and redesigned the whole rig, will sit on a platform with all the components inside so I remove my 19 "rack and make everything more compact