The SimFeedback-AC DIY Motion Simulator thread

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:

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
 
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where can i buy a large ferrite core like this in oz?


jaycar don't have any large ones
These aren't big enough?

 
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@Spikar Do you only need one? I have a couple spare that I could send you. I am in Melbourne. Save you ordering and paying more postage. 20 bucks plus postage should be fine. Postage shouldn't be more than like 7 - 8 dollars.
 
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Wanted to update people on my servos with connectors on the actual servo. They're available from Master Jiang now, Motor Version B:

The connectors are straight, which isn't ideal, but it's workable. Would be nice if they were 90 degree. Anyway, it's nice, and I can easily shield the cable by soldering on a new power cable. It all fits really well. Need to get some DB25 connectors to start to test them out and start building the platform for my rig.

20191204_194600.jpg 20191204_194606.jpg 20191204_194644.jpg 20191204_195604.jpg
 
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Just got my internals. What does the bevel look like on the hollow shafts. Not sure if mine are beveled.

EDIT: after actually researching myself. Is it just cleaning the sharp edges after cutting?
If so, mine are fine and all 270mm.
 
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I can't buy these from wegertseder.com in the required quantities. I have bought the other bolts from a local supplier here in Australia but didn’t have the below bolts and washers unless I order them in 1000pcs lots.

I have sent an email to wegertseder.com asking for the following below. See how that goes.

Any links to Australian websites that sell them?
6912M5 x 2024sliderhttps://www.wegertseder.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?AKNUM=2560
DIN 125A8,432fixed / linear bearing mounthttps://www.wegertseder.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?AKNUM=1490
A6,432linear bearing /motor mount
 
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I can't buy these from wegertseder.com in the required quantities. I have bought the other bolts from a local supplier here in Australia but didn’t have the below bolts and washers unless I order them in 1000pcs lots.

I have sent an email to wegertseder.com asking for the following below. See how that goes.

Any links to Australian websites that sell them?
6912M5 x 2024sliderhttps://www.wegertseder.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?AKNUM=2560
DIN 125A8,432fixed / linear bearing mounthttps://www.wegertseder.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?AKNUM=1490
A6,432linear bearing /motor mount

@thenic123

These M8 washers that I got from bunnings fit perfectly for the M8 bolts. They were in the high tensile bolt section, I lost the card, ooops.
m8washer.jpg


These M5x20 phillips head bolts fit nice and snug, no washer required. Even if you could fit a washer it would have to be really small.
m5bolt.jpg


These M5 washers fit the M6 bolts just right and should do for the motor mount.

The shopping list mentions using the washers for the linear bearing but there's only 1mm play either side of the bolt head in my linear bearings so I don't see how an A6,4 could fit. The build instructions don't even use them so maybe that's something that needs fixing on the shopping list.

I can't find these washers, or the M8 ones on their website, but they came from bunnings.
m5washer.jpg


Hope that helps.
 
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@thenic123

These M8 washers that I got from bunnings fit perfectly for the M8 bolts. They were in the high tensile bolt section, I lost the card, ooops.
View attachment 337553

These M5x20 phillips head bolts fit nice and snug, no washer required. Even if you could fit a washer it would have to be really small.
View attachment 337554

These M5 washers fit the M6 bolts just right and should do for the motor mount.

The shopping list mentions using the washers for the linear bearing but there's only 1mm play either side of the bolt head in my linear bearings so I don't see how an A6,4 could fit. The build instructions don't even use them so maybe that's something that needs fixing on the shopping list.

I can't find these washers, or the M8 ones on their website, but they came from bunnings.
View attachment 337555

Hope that helps.

Looks like I'm making a trip to Bunnings to get the washers. If you have the Bunnings Receipt still, they have the barcode of products bought in number form.
 
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Checking for safety purposes.

Can I wire 2 devices into the same Emergency Stop?

I already have an Emergency Stop mounted on my rig for my SimuCube, and I'd really like to just run the SFX-100 Emergency Stop wires right in there and connect them up to this same stop button. This one is in a great spot and I can't think of where to put a second.

To be honest, if something goes crazy, I just want to shut it all down anyway, so I could do that with 1 button this way.

Anyone done this before, or see any issues I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!!
 
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Have a think about when/if you use your estop for the simucube.

If you use it frequently then I wouldn't do it. for SFX the platform will drop. So if you are the kind of person that presses it every time you hit the wall or about to for the DD wheel then you dont want the platform dropping all the time as well. An example is when I let someone have a go on my rig, I am usually sitting over the DD estop because I know they are going to need it and I press it before they get a fright. It would be very inconvenient to have to reset the sfx afterwards, its not jut a matter of resetting the estop.

if you never hit the estop and the only time you are going to is if itall goes wrong then it's probably ok.
 
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Can I wire 2 devices into the same Emergency Stop?
You definitely can do this..!!

Assuming you have a similar E-stop switch to this (most are the same or very similar), you'll notice that there is a space for a second switch mechanism next to the first.

s-l1600 (28).jpg
s-l1600 (29).jpg


Buy a second E-stop switch assembly (they're around $4 complete), unscrew the switch mechanism and screw it onto your original E-stop unit. Your OSW and SFX-100 are then wired separately to each switch on the normally closed contacts.

Pressing the E-stop button now activates both switch assemblies at the same time.

 
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Question about DD wheel on a motion rig.
Listening to any review on DD wheel in general or any particular DD wheel model, an advice always come up as sine qua non condition for appreciating the superiority of DD wheel is that the wheel base as to be attached to a very sturdy, zero movement, rig. If not all the fine details that makes the DD wheel special are lost.
Watching any full motion rig, the wheel is not fixed anymore, it follows the movement and trepidation of the motion software it is mounted on.
I do not have motion (yet) hence the question, but I have tactile, with some vibration attached to to front of my rig, I can feel the tactile in my wheel, which is great but at the same time it muddies the fine FFB details felt in my non DD wheel rim.
what do the motion rig DD wheel user have to say about that?
 
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From the US, ordered many things on Nov12/13 - Kinetik, Servos/Motors from China, Bearings/etc from China, Bolts, Amazon Misc, etc.

Ordered a rig from Simlab, and DD wheel from SimXpereince a week ago. Both have shipped as of today.

Servos/motors arrived and assembled in server case. Actuators mostly assembled.

I think the seat I still need and havent ordered yet may arrive before the Kinetik profile...

Have learned in the process that while the US seems to be the center of easy/cheap availability for most things tech, when it comes to Sim Racing, it is absolutely not the case!
 
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Dual Pole Emergency Stops is available as well. Im not a fan of the larger plastic units with click on Contact blocks.
That switch is dual pole which means there are a set of Normal Open contact and a set of Normally Closed contacts.

The OSW and SFX-100 units both require a set of normally closed contacts and you can't join them together on the one set of contacts, so you'd need to have two of these E-stop switches. :(
 
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