Motion Platform Links

Vehicles and Stuff

 

Component Info

Electric Motors

Speed Controllers

Batteries

Adhesives

Ball & Sockets Joints

Bearings

Gears

Chains & Sprockets

Shaft Collars

Shaft Steel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Component Search

Component Information

Plans Order

Power Calculator

Contact

Conditions

DIY Flight Sim Motion Platforms

Motion Platform Drive Hardware

40SPU-1 drive system signal processor unit card - now availableDIY Mini Motion Platform

New Mini Motion

Platform

JUNE 09 - Details of the new 40SPU-1 servo drive signal processor unit released..... this ready-built card is available to buy NOW.

 

JUNE 09 - I've added a beta Motion Platform Power Calculator add-on for the motion driver software - should help with those tricky actuator power calcs.

 

This section of the Built For Fun site describes a few 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.

 

Click on the links below for details of the projects.

 

If you are thinking about building your own motion platform the BFF Motion Driver software developed for the projects is available to buy - see the Platform Downloads page. Compatible with FS9, FSX and X-Plane

 

Details are now available for a ready-built PCB to replace the home built signal processor unit electronics used in the early servo drive designs. The 40SPU-1 card replaces all the fiddly DIY breadboard wiring with a simple ready to connect card.

 

Wiring diagrams and flash programs are also available for the DIY electronics hardware I first used to control the platforms - see the Control System & Wiring pages.

 

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 Platform Drive Hardware

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.

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 and well suited for use with the new Articulated Projector System.

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.

DIY LINEAR ACTUATOR

A cheaper alternative to expensive bought linear actuators - plans bundled with Motion Driver orders.

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.

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.

EARLIER DIY SERVO DRIVE HARDWARE

Simple low cost DIY servo drive hardware I've used to drive the motion platforms. Built using  PICAXE 28X1 microcontroller chips and MD03 speed controllers.

Enhanced Speed SPU

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.

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.

 

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.

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 both 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.

http://simprojects.nl/ - Roland van Roy's site - a great source of ideas & data on a range of flight sim related projects.

http://www.youtube.com/user/tronicgr - Thanos Kod's YouTube channel showing his work with a JoyRider style  motion cockpit - lots of videos.

(Both Roland and Thanos have beta tested the Motion Software - many thanks.)

http://www.jimspage.co.nz/intro.html A low cost DIY motion platform.

http://www.classicsim.com/ A fairly large scale cockpit..

http://digilander.libero.it/tornadoblu5/index1.htm

http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/ - not specifically for motion platforms and cockpits but another very informative site.

http://www.geneb.org/pitkit/ - a compact single seater cockpit made from timber - might prove a good basis for a motion cockpit design.

 

 

© This site is copyrighted, If you'd like more information or have any comments please contact me at

 

Copyright © 2006-2009 BFF Design Ltd All Rights Reserved.