Author Topic: any idea's ? (Read 526 times)

Dastrdly · « **on:** November 16, 2007, 08:24:18 AM »

i recently perchased an old dentist chair & have installed all my controlls on it....its awsome !

now what im thinking is how to make it tilt & pitch as im flying. of course the chair itself would need modifacation but thats the easy/last part.

is there a way i could use the 'force feedback' feature by maybe tapping into a stick with the same feature to control switches or actuators?

or am i just reaching for the moon?

NHawk · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2007, 11:47:49 AM »

LOL...if you have a ton of money it can be done. Say $2k to $5k for electronics plus mechanical mods.

Servo or stepper motors with the servo/stepper control taking signals from the joystick. If I'm not mistaken you can get the servo/stepper control on an IDE card to simplify things.

You might be able to save some money by using DC motors and controls, but that's iffy.

Steppers would be the better choice because...

A stepper motor's shaft has permanet magnets attached to it. Around the body of the motor is a series of coils that create a magnetic field that interact with the permanet magnets. When these coils are turned on and off the magnetic field causes the rotor to move. As the coils are turned on and off in sequence the motor will rotate forward or reverse.

To make a stepper motor rotate, you must constantly turn on and off the coils. If you simply energize one coil the motor will just jump to that position and stay there resisting change. The ability to stay put at one position rigidly would be an advantage for what you want to do.

Getback · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2007, 02:54:46 PM »

Hey Dastardly, you ever been to won of those theatres where the chairs move with the movie? If so, find out who the makers are and follow up.

I've been to a couple of those type of movies and laughed untill I cried.

Personally, I think that would be awesome.

NHawk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2007, 06:13:38 AM »

Dastrdly, I just thought of something.

Find a high speed machine manufacturer or robotic assembly machine manufacturer in your area. Then try to contact their electrical controls engineers. They may have a ton of samples laying around that might work for what you want to do. And, they may not charge you for them. Then all you need to do is find someone to do the mechanical mods.

I know before I retired I had several full systems in my office that I would have been open to donating for such a project. Heck I might have even given a hand designing and programming the controls.

Edit: Another way would be hydraulics with linear position encoders. But, the noise of the pump might be a problem. And, heaven forbid if you sprung a leak in one of the hoses or valves.

Dastrdly · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2007, 08:53:24 AM »

sounds like a bit more than i could handle

.... but working around industrial sites ie. pulp mills that use alot computer run systems ,motors that adjust various valves, all kinds of hydrolics etc...... that gave me the idea.

my chair does have a manual hydrolic lift already... maybe used for a rumble feature?

but the concept itself.... i like & will continue to investagate

outbreak · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2007, 03:18:07 PM »

now if the chair is tilting and pitching, how the heck are you going to shoot straight unless your computer desk follows in tandem? lol just wondering

Getback · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2007, 03:23:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by outbreak
now if the chair is tilting and pitching, how the heck are you going to shoot straight unless your computer desk follows in tandem? lol just wondering

We're gonna have to strap him in. What would a crash feel like? His wife may have to keep an ambulance on alert.

Getback · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2007, 03:29:27 PM »

Second thought, you will have to build the monitor into the chair setup. perhaps encapsulate the whole thing.

I'm surprised that some engineer for nasa hasn't used his/her genius to develop this. What a great idea to follow up on.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2007, 04:31:54 PM »

A few people have built entire moving cockpits. I'm pretty sure there's a setup for making your own about to be/already commercially available.

Dastrdly · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2007, 10:41:40 AM »

ty for the imput guys

ive been reserching a bit & finding it can be done, relitively cheap too.

i posted same in general discussion, there some1 gave a link to a site of a guy that did it.... he lists all step by step.

ive found all the computer components needed are easy to get & cheap. i will inlist my computer nerd B-inlaw to build & program new hardware but if u have any comp savy im sure it would b easy(step by step).

he used car windshield motors but upon research i thing power window motors would work better being they have permanent magnets.

i will use his idea's & improve where posible.

here is link if interested..... ill keep u's posted!

http://ptyxiouxos.net//greekbotics/user_projects/Flight_Simulator/thanos_home_motion_flight_simulator.htm

youtube of it in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYOmygb5XtQ

Getback · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2007, 10:44:21 AM »

All the best in that project Dastardly! Sounds fun.

NHawk · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2007, 11:46:00 AM »

X-Simulator

Film

Getback · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2007, 11:52:39 AM »

LOLO Nhawk, Uh what's it do we you loop?

NHawk · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2007, 01:44:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Getback
LOLO Nhawk, Uh what's it do we you loop?

Flips upside down and you bang your head.

Here's a better one, prebuilt with pedals and only a little over $3000 delivered...

Dream Flyer

Getback · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2007, 04:55:56 PM »

That's slick!!

Maybe next time I think about getting a computer I'll get that instead.

May have to get my old Motocross helmet out of the closet.