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Mini
Motion Platform
- plans
bundled with the motion software.
Click to see
short video clip. |
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64SPU-1 drive system signal
processor unit card - now available |
Flight Sim Motion Software and Hardware
This
section
of the Built For Fun site describes a growing number of
projects that are quite a bit different from the electric vehicle projects available on the
rest of the site. I've
had a go at designing and building a number of DIY
flight simulator motion platforms (or motion bases) and
had a look at a few other flight sim projects such as control
loading (force feedback) and a new technique of motion
enhancement using visual display cueing.
Some of the plans, software and hardware developed
during the projects is available to buy or is available free for
use in your own flight sim related projects.
Click on the links below for details.
AUGUST '10 - The 12ADC-1
12bit potentiometer position feedback card is now available. The card
interfaces with the 64SPU-1 and provides 12bit resolution on standard
potentiometer position feedback. This gives MA3 encoder level
performance without the cost of MA3 encoders....
See here for more details.
JULY '10 - I've released
DIY system control loader software
for builders to experiment with. This is based on the software
developed during the various force-feedback projects on the
site.
JUNE '10 - The 40SPU-1 card has now been
superceded with the faster 64MHz 64SPU-1.
The 64SPU-1 has a re-programmable microcontroller for firmware
updates and customised programming.
FEB '10 - I've added beta support for
Dimension Engineering Sabertooth and SyRen motor controllers to
the motion drive system - See V2.6Beta
of the PID Servo Controller software.
Flight Sim Related Projects and Products
|
BFF MOTION
DRIVE SOFTWARE
Essential
drive software for DIY motion platforms - very
low cost and packed with features.
V2.4 now
available with the new integrated
virtual oscilloscope and power calculator add-on. |
MOTION
SYSTEM DRIVE HARDWARE
Low cost servo
control hardware for DIY motion platform
builders is now available. Developed from several platform builds this hardware is fully
integrated with the BFF Motion Driver software -
for 2/3 DOF DIY motion platforms. |
BFF I2C
ISOLATOR CARD
I2C data bus isolator
card for use with the 40SPU-1 to protect against
electrical noise from the motion platform servo drive
motors. |
12ADC-1 12bit
ADC CARD
To upgrade the
standard 10bit potentiometer position feedback to 12bit
res. to match the performance of MA3 encoders without
the cost. |
|
 PLATFORM
2
A more
conventional motion platform - less movement
range than Cockpit 1 but easier and cheaper to
build - FREE plans now available on the web
pages. |
MINI PLATFORM 3
The
most recent platform design, reduced motion range but easier
to build - probably my favourite.
Click to see
short video clip. |
|
COCKPIT
1
The first motion
platform project - a compact cockpit with
large pitch, roll and heave movement ranges.
This was an interesting but fairly complex build
- too complex to release a set of plans.
|
 USING
SABERTOOTH MOTOR CONTROLLERS
Some development work
to add support for Dimension Engineering Sabertooth and
SyRen motor controllers to the BFF Motion Drive system. |
|
 DIY
FORCE FEEDBACK FLIGHT COLUMN
My latest
attempt at building a good quality force
feedback flight control system. This time with a
flight column and disc armature motors. Project still
ongoing.... |
MOTION
PLATFORM POWER CALCULATOR
Beta software
for estimating the power rating requirements on
conventional design 2 & 3 DOF platforms - should
be a great help during platform design stages. |
|
 DIY
LINEAR ACTUATOR
A cheaper alternative to
expensive bought linear actuators - plans bundled with
Motion Driver orders. |
CONTROL LOADER
SOFTWARE
Experimental
software for driving DIY flight control loading
(force feedback). The software is available free
to try in your own projects.
|
LOW NOISE
POSITION FEEDBACK
To get the best
out of a platform drive low noise position
feedback is important - how I got on with US
Digital MA3 Encoders. |
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|
 ARTICULATED
PROJECTOR
A new motion
enhancement for DIY platforms and sim setups -
have a look! Free construction drawings
available. |
DIY
FORCE FEEDBACK
Some interesting
experiments with a DIY Control Loading system.
Still needs development but some interesting
reading. |
|
 DIY
FORCE FEEDBACK FLIGHT YOKE
A fascinating
project to develop an effective DIY control
loading flight yoke for simmers. Not quite right
yet, but interesting reading. Project still
ongoing.... |
ENHANCED SPEED
DIY Drive Hardware
Running at 115200
Baud provides faster comms and smoother motor
drive - essential for good motion cues.
Also work done
on an even faster
High-Speed servo control. |
IMPORTANT - Building a DIY motion platform
is a big project, even for competent DIY'ers. It
involves knowledge of both mechanical and
electrical/electronic systems, it can be expensive and
it can be dangerous to people and equipment. The
information provided in these web pages is provided
"AS-IS" without warranty or guarantee of any kind and is
provided in good faith to assist other builders in their
efforts. The information does not include complete and
detailed instructions on system building, commissioning
or operation. If you chose to use this information in
your project you do so at your own risk - it is up to
you to properly understand what you attempt to build.
See our full Terms
and Conditions.
LINKS - some DIY platform building
sites worth visiting if you want some inspiration.
