Homebuilt Motion Flight Simulator - Basic Centering Tests

This was just a basic initial test of the simulator to check for correct motor direction, sensor feedback and just rough centering.
PID settings were at extremes, and the desired result was for overcompensation as the cradle oscillated around the centre position.
The two axes were tested separately.

The next step is to adjust the potentiometers used for position-sensing, so that the centre points are set correctly. Then the PID variables need to be tuned so that the motors start smoothly and then slow as the cradle approaches the desired position.

The 'Black Box' shown in the video was made by myself as a final year project in high school. It contains two home-etched circuit boards which can accept a simple serial output from a laptop (running the simulation software) to get the desired roll and pitch angles, and then use feedback from position sensors to calculate how much of a angle chane is required, sending the appropriate signals to 2 electronic motor speed controllers (also contained in the 'Black Box').
Cradle angle feedback is measured by a potentiometer on each axis, each connected to an ADC within the 'Black Box' - so analogue sensors are employed. While this is not the most accurat way of doing things, this is a homebuilt project and I will be happy even if things aren't absolutely precise. The sensors and motors can always be upgraded later.

This simulator was completely built from scratch, as well as the interface electronics.
The cradle design is based off the 'Joyrider' simulator, for which plans are available for purchase online. However the Joyrider is a manually powered sim (weight-shift), and so needed to be highly modified for the purposes of powered simulation.
The interface electronics are based off the designs of Tronicgr.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Home
• Motion
• Flight
• Simulator
• Ben
• Paratz
• beep684
• Parallax
• BS2
• Basic
• Stamp

[tronicgr]

Never mind, I see in the "info" that you are using AMC after all... :-)

Great "black" box BTW!! I'd like to have one like that. How much does it cost?

[beep684]

@tronicgr Hi Thanos, sorry it has taken me so long to reply!! I designed and made the 'Black Box' myself as a school project, and it is really just a neat enclosure for the standard electronics. I was fortunate to have access to CAD software at school as well as a laser cutter, so the only costs were for the parts and materials themselves. I never calculated it exactly but it probably only used about $15 worth of acrylic.

Great work btw! You inspired my building this one :)

[av8ters]

Love this sim, even more I'd love to build it. Can you give me anymore information on the drive system, type of motors/actuators, the PID etc. I am an electronics tech by day and have a pilots license. I am really interested as it would be a great tool for instrument training.

Any info u could send me would be great. av8tr@sympatico.ca

[jfingerskeys]

is it up n running got more vid in action best home build ive seen yet

[jsmith2307]

Outstanding! I built one too, but I am having trouble with the software .  Email me I am @ jsmith2307@aol.com Using a bs2

[ElegyForTheMasses]

How much dd this cost? I'm considering building a joyrider unit (non-powered until I can afford otherwise), are the plans worth the cost?

[tronicgr]

Great job! AMC or your own interface?