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

 

[SixDegreesOfFlight]

@Ozpilot
The Item distributor is in Dandenong, so I could go and pick the extrusions up. I haven't enquired about a price or whether it is in stock. Part of me is saying stick with the standard German profile.

 

[jv8]

I’m building a P1-X 8020 chassis with SFX-100 actuators and a GS5 seat for sway/surge. (First rig - might as well go big!)

What’s the recommended vibe setup? I already have a single large BK home theater transducer I could mount somewhere for RPM effects. With the fast acting SFX is it really necessary to mount mini transducers at the chassis corners? Or on the seat?

 

[HoiHman]

In the beta test i added a seatbelt tensioner and the simfeedback extension. Now i can start simfeedback with the press of a button or increase intensity on the fly.

It's great having some slack on your belts so you can put them on, press start and feel them tighten up.

Disclaimer : Posting this video does not mean the next release is due to be released soon, it will be released "when ready"

 

[o Tiger Feet o]

To quote Nicki Thiim. "That gives me a small erection"

 

[niko911]

Looks great HoiHman!! (great camera angle as well).
Can´t you record a video of yourself driving? Would be great to see the SFX and the belt tension in live action.
(Wear a racing helmet if you wanna stay incognito)

 

[anton_Chez]

I never knew about the alternative profile supplier until now. Wow a super local supplier as well for me (Melbourne). Does this mean we are not at the mercy of Kinetic anymore?

 

[GeniFx]

In the beta test i added a seatbelt tensioner and the simfeedback extension. Now i can start simfeedback with the press of a button or increase intensity on the fly.

It's great having some slack on your belts so you can put them on, press start and feel them tighten up.

Disclaimer : Posting this video does not mean the next release is due to be released soon, it will be released "when ready"

Is this with one more androino and A 5 servo of the same type?

Look so awsome. Cant wait to get mine up and working

 

[Hendra Chandra]

In the beta test i added a seatbelt tensioner and the simfeedback extension. Now i can start simfeedback with the press of a button or increase intensity on the fly.

It's great having some slack on your belts so you can put them on, press start and feel them tighten up.

Disclaimer : Posting this video does not mean the next release is due to be released soon, it will be released "when ready"

Can we see the seatbelt tensioner system really interested of this.

 

[Specialist68]

I never knew about the alternative profile supplier until now. Wow a super local supplier as well for me (Melbourne). Does this mean we are not at the mercy of Kinetic anymore?

If the inside is the same otherwise you must make a new slider design

 

[Specialist68]

Is this with one more androino and A 5 servo of the same type?

Look so awsome. Cant wait to get mine up and working

Yes second controller for 4 extra servo's possible but as he said software is in beta and public release unknown yet

 

[diablo2112]

As I've recently ordered most of the parts for my build, here's the latest on supply and delivery times. I'm based in the USA (Albuquerque, NM to be specific). Summary: nearly everything has been shipped, and delivery will be within 2 weeks of my order.

Kinetik Extrusions. Ordered online June 22, Confirmation received June 23. DHL delivery set for June 28.

NTL Bearing Order. emailed mery@ntl-bearing.com on June 22. Received instructions for paypal payment from "Amy" on June 23. Paid, received confirmation on June 23. No shipping info yet.

Aliexpress Servo Motors. Ordered June 22. Received several emails asking for additional info on June 23. Shipping confirmation via Fedex recieved June 25. Delivery set for July 3.

Prusa i3 mk3s printer. Ordered June 21. Shipping confirmation received June 26. DHL delivery set for June 28.

Not bad at all, quite a bit quicker than earlier orders, for sure.

 

[jv8]

My times to Pittsburgh, PA weren't bad either - ordered everything early June... the longest was NTL at 14 days from order to my house. Kinetik was 10 days to my door. Treatstock.com 3D prints 12 days. Everything else was less than a week.

The mind blowing one was the shield PCB I custom ordered from jlcpcb.com. They made a run of 5 boards, shipped them to my house in 6 days... all for $15 total. How is that possible?

 

[diablo2112]

Treatstock.com 3D prints 12 days.

(snip)

The mind blowing one was the shield PCB I custom ordered from jlcpcb.com. They made a run of 5 boards, shipped them to my house in 6 days... all for $15 total. How is that possible?

Did you have to work with Treatstock to get the custom slicer settings? Also, with your PCB order, you'll still have to solder in the DB-25 and other connectors. Is that right? Thanks!

 

[jv8]

Yes, I worked with the supplier to use custom slicer settings. If you look a few posts earlier in this thread I detailed my experiences. I think the turnaround could be even faster if you request more than 2 active printers. The only real issue is calibration - one printer was spot on but the slider printer was ever so slightly large so I will have to file down the slider grooves by 0.1mm.

Also yes I ordered the DB25's from DigiKey and got them in 2 days. Soldering is not a big deal for me.

 

[C64]

If the inside is the same otherwise you must make a new slider design

All the details for the alternative profile are here, including the slightly modified slider ( a small change in the grooves )

https://opensfx.com/mods-item24-extrusion/

 

[Wmacky]

OK then , question withdrawn......

 

[Ozpilot]

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate you replying. I have ordered the leadscrews and bearings from Amy who sent me the list after I wrote it was for SFX100. David was great too. He has split the order for me. If someone else reads this thread, it was much easier to pay David with Paypal than with Aliexpress.

I've read many times that David is easy to deal with - can somebody give me his contact details (hopefully his email) as I've tried to contact him through Aliexpress but haven't heard anything back. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ozpilot]

I never knew about the alternative profile supplier until now. Wow a super local supplier as well for me (Melbourne). Does this mean we are not at the mercy of Kinetic anymore?

Anton, that seems to be right! Having read all the posts throughout this thread about Kinetic and about the trouble people had with inserts I'm pretty happy to see an alternative to both has been found!!

 

[SixDegreesOfFlight]

Anton, that seems to be right! Having read all the posts throughout this thread about Kinetic and about the trouble people had with inserts I'm pretty happy to see an alternative to both has been found!!

If you put the alternative profile number into the search box - it does look like they stock it but not if you simply browse their website

 

[SixDegreesOfFlight]

I am going to test my luck with the Kinetik profile. I chickened out of the Item alternative at the last minute. When I placed the order with Kinetik it complained that it couldn't contact Paypal. I tried for around 15 minutes putting the goodies into the shopping basket only to be halted in my tracks with the Paypal message. In the end I choose the other option - advance payment. I was emailed the quote and used my Commonwealth Bank acount to transfer the money directly to their bank. It cost me $6 for the international transfer.

Here is is the text they sent me:
Selected payment method: advance payment. You simply pay in advance and receive the goods conveniently and conveniently delivered upon receipt of payment home.

They only gave me their IBAN and BIC so I managed to get the other info from Google maps:
Our bank connection:
HAEC ALUMINIUM
IBAN: DE56 2003 0000 0626 4332 62
BIC: HYVEDEMM300
Address: Gewerbepark 21, 49143 Bissendorf, Germany

Hope that helps someone