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

 

[metalnwood]

@BluePotato00 it goes in the top hole that is on the flat in the picture. It will have a thread inside that you would screw in the nipple.

 

[BluePotato00]

@BluePotato00 it goes in the top hole that is on the flat in the picture. It will have a thread inside that you would screw in the nipple.

Thanks for the reply. In the photo on the wiki, it looks like the grease gun is being inserted on the rounded side of the ball screw:

 

[metalnwood]

Haha, you got me assuming again. The correct hole will be threaded for a nipple.

 

[wajdi]

It would be great if some one from you guys can make a instructive and step by step video how to build the actuators and the electrical part . It would be a great help for us .

 

[RowanH]

It would be great if some one from you guys can make a instructive and step by step video how to build the actuators and the electrical part . It would be a great help for us .

Whilst it's not a complete video walk through, I did a blog post series on the build process including some videos, and a huuuuge review article. Between this and wiki you should be sorted

https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

As I've gotten a metric s-t tonne of traffic over the past handful of days, I'm going to go back and add some further notes/images on the actuator assembly post.

[Edit] Also planning to pull my rig apart after I've had my fun with ACC Build 0.5, I'll partially pull apart an actuator and do a video explanation of it then. Definitely not undoing those b----y fixed bearing cap screws though.

 

[HugoB]

Whilst it's not a complete video walk through, I did a blog post series on the build process including some videos, and a huuuuge review article. Between this and wiki you should be sorted

https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

As I've gotten a metric s-t tonne of traffic over the past handful of days, I'm going to go back and add some further notes/images on the actuator assembly post.

[Edit] Also planning to pull my rig apart after I've had my fun with ACC Build 0.5, I'll partially pull apart an actuator and do a video explanation of it then. Definitely not undoing those b----y fixed bearing cap screws though.

Yea I soaked those fixed bearing cap screws full of loctite, including the lock screw, like my life depends on it, guess I’ll never be able to unscrew that one (please don’t try this at home)

 

[anton_Chez]

I'll rephrase it slightly... "ability to read & follow instructions" ie for the people "I don't need no map, I know where I'm going" are probably going to struggle building these !

You missed my joke.....!

 

[sjb266]

Yea I soaked those fixed bearing cap screws full of loctite, including the lock screw, like my life depends on it, guess I’ll never be able to unscrew that one (please don’t try this at home)

Didn’t use any loctite. The advantage of the 3D prints is that you run the screw in and out quickly with a driver and it heats the screw sufficiently that when you screw it back in it bonds to the print like glue anyway!

 

[anton_Chez]

I didn't either but then again anything I did is not a good road map to follow so feel free to ignore any of my input from here on out...

I only put thread lock on the nut that holds the fixed bearing, on the actuator that was giving me issues. Turned out it wasn't that in the end but these are probably the ones I'd be putting it on. It's very hard to get a good grip to tighten the nut without proper hardware.

 

[sjb266]

Don’t beat yourself up too much Anton... we all have these moments!! It makes us better!

 

[saxxon66]

It would be great if some one from you guys can make a instructive and step by step video how to build the actuators and the electrical part . It would be a great help for us .

There is, it is a video linked in the wiki home page.
Florentin did a great job showing how to build it step by step.
Just jump to 39 min.

And for the electronics, I think you need to understand what you're doing here, so no video will solve this for you.
Just follow the Wiki by connecting pins by numbers and check the connections for contact.

 

[HugoB]

Didn’t use any loctite. The advantage of the 3D prints is that you run the screw in and out quickly with a driver and it heats the screw sufficiently that when you screw it back in it bonds to the print like glue anyway!

Ah, thats a good tip about the screws going into the 3D printed parts, thanks!

But I actually meant the ‘fixed bearing nut’, that’s where I put loctite on, and it’s securing screw as well...At least that’s what I interpreted from the wiki, but I might be wrong? I meant this sentence:

 

[RowanH]

There is, it is a video linked in the wiki home page.
Florentin did a great job showing how to build it step by step.
Just jump to 39 min.

OOOo never saw this part of the video (for us native English speakers we missed it). I'll add a link in my build log to that specific part of his video.

 

[Wmacky]

I'd pull and sell my teeth for a English version of that video. It seems to contain a wealth of information!

 

[wajdi]

Whilst it's not a complete video walk through, I did a blog post series on the build process including some videos, and a huuuuge review article. Between this and wiki you should be sorted

https://www.rowanhick.com/sfx-100-build-and-running-guide

As I've gotten a metric s-t tonne of traffic over the past handful of days, I'm going to go back and add some further notes/images on the actuator assembly post.

[Edit] Also planning to pull my rig apart after I've had my fun with ACC Build 0.5, I'll partially pull apart an actuator and do a video explanation of it then. Definitely not undoing those b----y fixed bearing cap screws though.

Thanks, that would be great and a great service for us.

 

[MADShootStuff]

Someone added traction loss:

This one of you guys?

 

[Mascot]

Someone added traction loss:

This one of you guys?

I'm not sure about those new 2019 Adidas race suits...

 

[federico m caruso]

hi is what i did so far

 

[anton_Chez]

Please hide the video from @Steve D.

He's very encourage able, you see....

 

[Steve D]

Please hide the video from @Steve D.

He's very encourage able, you see....

I'm absolutely 'happy with my lot' now my friend. Nothing more whatsoever needed. Cannot quite believe how things have ended up considering I only jumped in 14 months ago.

When it happens, the next purchase will be when VR takes its proper 'next gen' step with the CPU and GPU grunt to support it!