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

 

[Furnace Inferno]

Ah, I though they were from Germany for some reason.
So you paid £250 import duty?
So that's over a grand for the motors.
Its going to work out a lot more than £1,800 then I guess in total.

No, total cost was £850 including import costs.

 

[paddoce]

New builder here. I am trying to flash my Arduino but I am stuck getting the SimFeedback software to start properly. When I start it, it shows in the Task Manager but never displays the GUI.

I have version 00.08.05. I did run the "remove_blocking.bat" file as well. I have restarted three times. Plugged the Arduino in and out.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[anton_Chez]

Put SFB on another drive if you have one, or out of Program Files, I think it is. I had this happen as well.

 

[paddoce]

Thanks for the quick reply. I extracted to the root drive and that did the trick!

 

[Tim Palmgren]

@RowanH Got the low profile cap screws from these guys http://boltshop.co.nz/ for 19 bucks inc gst. Sounded like they could also do the whole list in one hit to avoid needing to do two orders for NZ guys. So might be worth flagging as a potential supplier somewhere for any other Aucklanders/New Zealanders sourcing the fasteners. I have also found 1M - Male to Male DB25 cables at Gamma computers for $6.80 a piece ex GST so that might also be useful to someone...

 

[ThugUK]

No, total cost was £850 including import costs.

I have obviously totally misread you.
Mine comes to £792 including delivery, and I thought that you paid £250 import duty too.

 

[Crashtappen]

Quick question guys, I am about to wire all my controllers and motors and I saw somewhere a picture of the 4 controllers wired in "cascade".
Is it a possible wiring or not recommended at all ?

Controler 1 -> controler 2 -> controler 3 -> controler 4 -> 220v wall line

Thanks in advance for your advises.

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

I have obviously totally misread you.
Mine comes to £792 including delivery, and I thought that you paid £250 import duty too.

The seller has been known to put the value of goods at $250 for customs. (Not the true cost of ~£850). Therefore you only pay ~20% of £250 in tax and not ~20% of £850.

 

[Mascot]

Does anyone have a source for DB25 serial cables that are only around half a metre long? The shortest I've found is 1m.
Or can they be shortened?

 

[Tim Palmgren]

I haven't found shorter than 1M yet either.

 

[sn4il]

The shortest available is probably Hosa Dbd-301.5 Snake Cable. But is ridiculously priced

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

Or can they be shortened?

No reason why not. Bit of a faff but you could cut and solder.

 

[Mascot]

I'm guessing you can buy kits to make them any length you want.
Edit: yep.

I did find a 0.5m one but it was hundreds of dollars. Must have been sold by Currys PC World, the HQ of overpriced cables and fearmongering.

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

EDIT: Just seen your yep.

Possibly the easiest way is with these. (I used these for my build instead of wagos)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/breakout-S...ds=25pin&qid=1554807422&s=gateway&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[sberns]

This has been previously suggested but I used these:
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32821...d=3087amp-VeYo5DuQpylX2TVAXoslag1554808964683

Then you can easily find cat5 cable of any length. You only need 7 of the 25 pins in the db25 cable and you have 8 to choose from in cat5.

 

[anton_Chez]

Quick question guys, I am about to wire all my controllers and motors and I saw somewhere a picture of the 4 controllers wired in "cascade".
Is it a possible wiring or not recommended at all ?

Controler 1 -> controler 2 -> controler 3 -> controler 4 -> 220v wall line

Thanks in advance for your advises.

We've been a bit hesitant to offer advice on mains power cabling because it can be dangerous if you do not know what you're doing. However, I am not an electrician and I carefully daisy chained my power lead for all 4 servo drivers the way you describe. So. IF you do it correctly, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Mascot]

This has been previously suggested but I used these:
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32821...d=3087amp-VeYo5DuQpylX2TVAXoslag1554808964683

Then you can easily find cat5 cable of any length. You only need 7 of the 25 pins in the db25 cable and you have 8 to choose from in cat5.

Ah, they look more like it. I don't want to be spending 50-odd quid on this.
I've already got 2m cables up and running so I'm guessing I just need four of these, as I can keep the 'proper' DB25 plug at one end of the cable, cut the cable 500mm (or whatever) and shove one of these DIY plugs on the other end and connect up the seven appropriate wires?
This assumes that the wires in the existing DB25 cable are colour-coded, and colour-coded correctly. I'm guessing they might not be if they're made using an automated process?

Edit: ah, just saw the RJ45 socket.

 

[EsxPaul]

I was thinking of going for these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluecharge...B25+Connector&qid=1554821118&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Paired with these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FDL-PIN-D-...YBM3Q911KWX&psc=1&refRID=ZNW5HE2W6YBM3Q911KWX

 

[ScottSonder]

How did you ground the Accuforce? My HE pedals have an assigned ground terminal (I think? It's been a while since I done it) but it's the only part of my kit I've grounded specifically apart from the servo drivers as instructed.

I don't have any issues at the moment, but how would one go about 'grounding their rig'? It sounds a little vague as to how you'd achieve this.

This is the 2nd time I've seen this guy post that he grounded his 'rig', and I quoted him the same way you did asking how he did it. He never replied.

The most heavy duty way of grounding an entire rig would be to run a terminal from a screw into your actual outlet. Any other way you can just connect something to a GND pin, so if you've grounded your HE's, your rig should be grounded as well. It all ends up being grounded in the same spot, at the outlet

My understanding of it at least after I looked into it a bit.

 

[ScottSonder]

Quick question guys, I am about to wire all my controllers and motors and I saw somewhere a picture of the 4 controllers wired in "cascade".
Is it a possible wiring or not recommended at all ?

Controler 1 -> controler 2 -> controler 3 -> controler 4 -> 220v wall line

Thanks in advance for your advises.

Not sure if it's a language barrier or something, but that's wiring in 'series'. Just make sure you know what you're doing, if you're connected to main power, any exposed wire could be a danger.