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Posted (edited)

Hello everyone,

 

It's my first post here and I figured it would be a good place to start. I have been lurking this forum for quite a long time and now I decided to unreveal myself.

 

Old stuff:

 

 

I'd like to show you a few photos of my simming setup.

It's been a long way to get it to that state, and it's like ver. 6.0 or so. I started with a cheap "generic" usb joystick and worked my way from it. At first I did some awful ""scaffolding" to keep that stick off the desk. Then it evolved into a stick and some side buttons (like button box), using a hacked gamepad. Then I made a throttle, using the joystick's z-axis wired to an external pot. Whole thing always looked as if it was "in progress", because I built it "inside-out".

After a few modifications I finally purchased T.16000M and sticked with it for quite a long time. At first, I was amazed with accuracy, and I thought I wouldn't need much more than that. Then I made a throttle, using the joystick's z-axis...

I started to not like the short throw of the stick, I didn't like the fact that using at least small curves was almost mandatory. I grabbed a piece of pipe and made a joystick extension. It had almost no centering, so good for helis - my adventure with Huey has begun.

 

Modding the hardware became more time consuming than actual flying, but I was happy with it.

 

Here are some of my first documented "projects":

 

Rudder pedals attempt:

 

2016-05-19%2022.54.53.jpg

 

Dual throttle. Never really fully came to life, but buttons were functional. Fidelity and overall feel...questionable.

 

2016-05-19%2022.55.24.jpg

 

2016-04-26%2012.32.49.jpg

 

2016-04-26%2013.49.24.jpg

 

 

 

Through the whole process I felt it wasn't quite "there". Deciding to do the whole thing from a scratch, I started searching for inspirations.

During my research, I've found a lot of extraordinary projects, which left me speechless. I kept searching about cockpit dimensions, stick travel, seat angles, control feel and loading (the toughest part of it all tbh). I even found an in-depth dissertation discussing control-feel and science behind an A-320 sidestick.

That being said, most of that stuff was either out of my reach, or too expensive. After a short period of being not motivated (putting it lightly), I moved on onto some more achieveable solutions.

 

Results:

 

 

2016-11-07%2016.40.37.jpg

 

Whole thing is built using hand tools. I don't have a workshop, and I live in a flat - possibilities limited:

 

2016-12-21%2016.14.34.jpg

 

2016-12-23%2014.57.14.jpg

 

2016-12-23%2014.57.30.jpg

 

Rudder pedals with functioning toe brakes:

 

2016-12-23%2014.58.34.jpg

 

Whole setup:

 

2016-12-30%2023.08.43.jpg

 

2016-12-30%2023.09.03.jpg

 

2016-12-31%2016.10.59.jpg

 

Inside glance:

 

2016-12-30%2023.09.28.jpg

 

I realise, that the whole thing is quite "ghetto" looking, and I still haven't figured out the roll axis centering. But when it comes to actually flying the thing, it works exceptionally well. I'm really happy with the outcome, and didn't feel an urge to change something in the last 3 weeks, so it looks like it's a keeper. My future plans include making some roll-centering. I'm thinking of something really simple like a pushing type spring or something. Also I want to put the whole joystick gimbal "in" that box, so pots won't dust, and whole build don't come in the way of my legs reaching to pedals.

 

Cheers to you all, and should you have any questions, I'm happy to reply.

 

PS. I will upload some better photos, I just need to get the camera working ;)

 

 

New stuff:

 

I would like to show you my new control setup. I've decided to rebuild my previous project. My goal was to make everything a bit tidier, and with improved control loading feel. I think I managed to do that. Whole mechanism is loosely inspired by an A320 sidestick assembly.

 

Stick centering is obtained via cam-based system, with separate cams for roll and pitch axis. I was aiming for assymetrical forces, so more force is used to turn left, less for turning right; big resistance at extreme positions, soft feel around center position for fine adjustments. Gas springs are used both for damping and resistance.

Rudder pedals are a bit different - gas spring is used for centering. For toe brakes gas springs are also used. I have added some rubber rings for additional, progressive resistance. This is working great and the feel of the pedal (while braking) is very similar to a car brake pedal.

 

Here you have some photos from initial build and test-fitting (gallery):

https://www.jottacloud.com/p/szymv/851c391713e04127850a915314245cd9

 

and the finished product:

https://www.jottacloud.com/p/szymv/8292c52cc15c4472a7c29b21e7255fc9

 

I initially prepared a wall of text, but I thought of a better idea - I will do a video explaining this and that... I think this will be a bit more interesting.

 

meanwhile - a short video of a thing in action:

 

Any questions to follow - I'm happy to answer.

Edited by szymv
new stuff
Posted

Clearly a work of passion. Well done!

hsb

HW Spec in Spoiler

---

 

i7-10700K Direct-To-Die/OC'ed to 5.1GHz, MSI Z490 MB, 32GB DDR4 3200MHz, EVGA 2080 Ti FTW3, NVMe+SSD, Win 10 x64 Pro, MFG, Warthog, TM MFDs, Komodo Huey set, Rverbe G1

 

  • 1 year later...
Posted

Hello there, long time - no see ;)

I came to you with my new build, 1st post updated. Feel free to comment/ask. Later, i will come with a video describing the whole thing.

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