Uuuuaaaah..! I have started building now..!

[Avilator]

That has got to be the nicest thing anyone have said to me..! :worthy:

 

thank you..!

 

No problem, man.:)

[Stonehard]

Tnx a lot :-)

[Triggerhappy69]

[QUOTE=Deadman;993399]Trigger looking fricke great !! I have one question for you. What does the open cockpit cards work with? Switches, LED lights, servos,step motors ? Thanks :thumbup:

 

Well here is my current collection of IOcards from Opencockpits:

 

 

I'll explain the function of each card roughtly.

 

 

THE MASTERCARDS AND USB EXPANSION CARD

 

 

The Mastercards (left and right) are the central of the IOcards, and each one has 72 inputs (for switches, push buttons and such) and 64 outputs (for LED's, relays, lights, servo motors, dc motors, stepper motors and so on). And lastly it can control 64 seven segment displays through an external displays card.

 

You can connect the Mastercard directly to your Pc through the parallel port, But that would restrict you to one Mastercard for each computer.

So instead I chose to connect the Mastercards through a USB Expansion Card. One USB Expansion Card holds up to four Mastercards. Giving you 288 inputs, 180 outputs, 256 7-segment displays or 1792 LED's. In addition to that the USB Expansion Card has four analouge inputs where you can connect your axis.

 

You can connect multiple USB Expansion cards to a computer..:smilewink:

USB OUTPUTS CARD

 

 

USBOutputs has been designed to control up to 64 outputs (each output

up to 50 volts, 500 mA, with a maximum total current of 2,5 Amperes).

 

The card includes a pulse width modulation dimmer with 128 steps; this

card is perfect to control leds, lamps for indicators and backlighting systems.

 

In addition, the card also implements 5 analogue inputs.

 

It connects to the PC via one USB port, and the controller is managed via IOCP protocol and SIOC software.

There is a specific testing software to make any test in a graphic way.

This option is really interesting to configure the devices connected to the card.

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

- USB port connection

- Up to 64 digital outputs of 500 mAmperes.

- Up to 2.5 Amperes (total output) and 50 volts.

- 5 analogue inputs (8 bits).

- PWM Dimmer control (7 bits).

- Connection to SIOC software

- Visual software for testing and configuring

 

USB STEPPER CARD

 

 

USBStepper has been designed to automatically work with both unipolar and bipolar stepper motors.

IIt's used to control stepper motors in the instrument gauges. I'll be using stepper motors in the instruments where the needle has continous rotation or where precise motion is needed (ADI, HSI, VOR)

It connects through a USB port to the computer, and is controlled with SIOC software.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

USBSteper:

- Has an USB connection

- Controls up to 3 stepper motors

- Controls unipolar and bipolar motors

- Has connectors for position sensors

- Has 3 analogue inputs (axles)

- Each motor can be fed with up to 36 vcc and 1 ampere.

 

USB SERVO CARD

 

 

The USB Servo card connets through USB to the computer, and is controlled through SIOC.

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

- USB connection

- Able to control up to 6 servo motors.

- Able to connect up to 4 A/D converters (8 bits)

- Software to connect to IOCP.

- Servo motors are controlled with a 10 bits resolution; possibility of

disconnecting any motor.

I'll be using the servo card to control the indicators that don't turn more that 360 degrees. (like the indicator needles in the exhaust temperature instrument)

7-SEGMENT DISPLAY CARD

 

 

This card manages common cathode 7-segment displays.

The card is connected to the Mastercard BUS, and it can control up to 16 displays independently. The power needed to drive the 7-segment displays is given through the Mastercard BUS.

Up to four displays cards can be connected to each Mastercard. So one Mastercard can manage up to 64 7-segment displays (and remember that you can have four Mastercards connected to one USB Expansion Card!



 

 

I'll use them to display all numeric values in the instruments and radio/navigation panels.

 

I just got this batch of 7-segment displays the other day. The big ones are for panels, and the small ones for instruments.

 

USB KEYS CARD

 

This is basicly a keyboard card. Meaning that you can connect momentary switches or push buttons to it, and the computer will see this as a keystroke.

It's quite a hassle making the required matrix to get full use of it. But is I was to buy one card next to the obvious BU0836X card from Leo Bodnar, it would be this one.

 

 

I'll be using this card to make a "hidden" keyboard in my cockpit (if I ever get arround to require one).

 

ENCODER CARD

 

Is not required to be honest..

I got mine because I had a bunch of non grey-type encoders that I was planning on using in the pit.

 

But then I got sobre and just bought the right type encoders instead.. MUCH SIMPLER..!:cry:

 

[Triggerhappy69]

CONNECTING IT ALL

 

At first I was planning on using the connection cards that connect directly to the mastercards::

 

 

But instead I have chosen the slightly more complicated, but a lot cheaper method of :

 

 

And naturally a sickening amount of USB cables and stuff is required to.

 

 

... not to mention gears for building the instruments:

 

 

..an assorted array of switches, resistors, diodes, encoders ...

 

 

.. more resistors...

 

 

.. more switches...

 

 

.... an absolute minimum of stepper motors..

 

 

... pneumatic actuators..

 

 

.. hydraulics..

 

 

... solenoid valves..

 

 

.. toggle switch covers..

 

 

 

 

Hmmmm.. And to my surprise I need a house with more space for my hobby..?

... now I'm just overcome with tiredness and need to go to bed and forget I ever took inventory on "The bare essentials of Pit Building"

 

'night all:doh:

[Deadman]

Man thanks for the reply and the insight in to the cards

[Triggerhappy69]

Man thanks for the reply and the insight in to the cards

 

Did you get the answer you needed mate? I wasn't 100% sure if this was what you asked for..

[Krebs20]

Again I am amazed at your progress. Keep up the great work!

Where did you buy the gears for the instruments?

[Triggerhappy69]

Again I am amazed at your progress. Keep up the great work!

Where did you buy the gears for the instruments?

 

Thank you.! :)

 

Well, after ordering from several suppliers on Ebay, and finding them a bit shortcoming as far as having a good selection of gears go, I went for a Webshop in the UK.! They have a good selection, and are one of very few European based webshopsin robotics.

(most others are in the US! And allthough the US based ones are realy kick-ass good. They suffer from the whole shipping time and cost dilemma for us Europeans.:cry:)

 

http://www.technobotsonline.com/gears.html

 

For US based pitbuilders I'd check out SDP/SI website. These guys have EVERYTHING you could possibly need as far as mechanics go. And then some..! Prices are reasonable, service is excellent, and so is quality..

 

.. so why not buy from them you ask? ...... well.?!...... ASK!

 

First of all check out theyr catalogue.. It's MASSIVE..! This is a good thing up to a certain point. But SDP/SI range of types, sizes, imperial or metric and whenever I open one of the PDF catalogues I end up spending at least 1/2 hour just flipping pages and dreaming.. It's just to much for me..!

But they have an excellent customer service. So if you have looked through it all, and concluded that they don't have the needed product. Send them an email..! Because I can almost categoricly say that you are wrong..!

in 99 out of 100 cases they have what you want.. You just didn't find it..! LoL..

 

http://www.sdp-si.com/

[Deadman]

Hey Trigger I am still checking other forms there was something this board could not do and i want to see if that had change but as usual i can't find the topic. I am not sure if its controlling an OSRAM SLG2016 display or not i will let you know thanks.:thumbup: I see that you all so received a BU0836 i why are you using this card with the OC cards? thanks

 

Did you get the answer you needed mate? I wasn't 100% sure if this was what you asked for..

Edited October 7, 2010 by Deadman

[rocketeer]

The OC mastercard has 72 inputs at 55 EUR. The BU0836X has 32 inputs at 45 GBP/51 EUR. doesn't that make the OC much cheaper, almost twice as many inputs for about the same price. I suppose people use the BU board if they only need inputs without output and because it's easier to set up.

[Triggerhappy69]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a little update... c",)

[pitbldr]

That's awesome TH! I am correct about the last couple pics being a homemade 3-way switch? Very nice solution there!! :thumbup:

[Triggerhappy69]

That's awesome TH! I am correct about the last couple pics being a homemade 3-way switch? Very nice solution there!! :thumbup:

 

Thanx ..! :)

 

You are quite right about the last pictures being of one of the three way switches.

I have played arround with several different ways to make these special three/four way switches in a way that is practicly possible for anyone to do. And at the same time small enough to fit in any instrument panel (APU, right switch panel, overhead panel and so on).

And also using only allready available matereals or donor-parts and hand tools.?

 

Since the general idea from my APU Panel seems to still work like a charm, and feel like a "real" switch, after months of abuse. I just took the principle from this 4-way switch, and shrinked it to a footprint of 25mm X 40mm.

The whole process of building one of these switches and installing it in the panel takes me a couple of hours from start to fully functioning switch now.

 

The reason for the odd "picturial" update is that I'm writing a "how-To" on the 3/4-way switches right now. Hope to post it by tomorrow..

[Stonehard]

Power supp

 

Fanatec AC: Pod-4813080

Output: 13,5V / 800mA / 10,8 VA

 

:thumbup:

[Triggerhappy69]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[C6_Hellfrog]

looks good ! :thumbup:

 

@ all :

 

today afternoon, I hacked an old canon A4 scanner which was out because of water damage, and I found in it a nice flat step by step motor with a nice cranted belt and wheels,and a nice light tube...

 

just to say to people who want to recycle... old scanners parts may be usefull for pit building...

Edited October 30, 2010 by C6_Hellfrog

[Deadman]

That is just Sierra Hotel :thumbup::thumbup:

[C6_Hellfrog]

no... we spoke about belts for trim system a few pages ago...

[Triggerhappy69]

Pitbuilding update october 31st 2010 - Thre Trim Force Mecanics Video uploaded

 

I had some time to do the first complete function test of the center pedestal with it's trim mechanics.

 

And here is the first video featuring the Cyclic Stick!

 

 

Before anyone makes a coment I should point out that the Cyclic Stick does not have a dampener on each axis, like the Pedals do! But I'll sure as H*LL be putting one in now..:thumbup:

 

 

Now for uploading the Pedals video.. I'll be back to post it as soon as Youtube is done with it..

 

 

And while they do, I'll post some pictures of the pedal mechanics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2010 by Triggerhappy69

[leafer]

Me love shiny aluminum! When will it be released? :D

[C6_Hellfrog]

still one thing to upgrade with cyclic is : noise : difficult to use when the family is sleeping !

 

nevertheless you should be very happy to see it working after all that work !

[Triggerhappy69]

looks good ! :thumbup:

 

@ all :

 

today afternoon, I hacked an old canon A4 scanner which was out because of water damage, and I found in it a nice flat step by step motor with a nice cranted belt and wheels,and a nice light tube...

 

just to say to people who want to recycle... old scanners parts may be usefull for pit building...

 

 

Good Job mate..! I's so cool that you've found a "scavanging source" for those hard to come by, and sometimes even over expencive parts..!:thumbup:

 

Just in one discarded, old, left outside to rot, photo copy macine I found 11 steppermotors, hundreds of different gears and belt and pullies. Two powersupplyes (12V and 24V), a standard LCD screen that works with my Arduino card and a bunch of different axles and bearings... It took me a couple of hours to break the whole thing down. But it was well worth the scavenging. I'm left with parts that I can use valuing above what I would ever even consider paying. AND the last owner was satified that he now had only two medium sized cardboard boxes to get rid off!

Both of them light enough to lift, and small enough to fit in the trunk of he's car....

 

And this machine was considered to be worthless..? Just because it didn't fullfill it's primary purpose anymore? So I applaud any form of "scavanging" for two reasons.

 

First of all it forces you to think outside the box.! You have to get an understanding of how the "junk" machine works, to know if there might parts in it you could use..? So weather you like it, or not, you're learning and that's good.! But at the same time as you figure out where there might be one of those illusive parts that you need, you see the different sollutions the engineers have used to solve everyday challenges that our machines do for us. And it's here you're bound to strike gold everytime..! There are some pretty smart men and women out there..

 

Secondly it's just the intelligent thing to to, if you ask me..! I mean, where is the sence in ordering, for instance, expencive stepper motors from ebay. And at the same time clean out your hobby room, throwing away three old inkjet printers to make room for your simulator project..? Not knowing that each one has two of the needed, AND all the gears you would have needed inside them..?

And how many times do you think you have been guilty of doing so..!?

 

It's this quriosity that drives me to always wanting to understand WHY it works. Not just accepting that it does, but obtaining a general understanding of how everything works, that has given me this elevated respect for russian engineers and the way they approach problems.!

It's so different from the western way off designing and commity meetings and more drawings and then some lunch and MAYBE a working prototype after six years... Complex and always trying to fill more functions than it was ment to do.

 

 

Compared to the russian way off building a series of prototypes untill you finally find yourselves adequatly satified with the end product..

And in every little part the KISS principle is evident.. Solving complex functions with simple (often non-electronic) strokes of genious..! It's just mindbogglingly beautifull..! And IT WORKS.!

Just look at the trigger mechanism in the Balckshark.. It does away with the need for at least one onboard computer, and it will never need to reboot or get shot out my a lucky small arms hit..

Most of the time the parts look like crap compared to the western counterparts. But that is just us being used to our own way of thinking. The Balckshark is a fighting machine! It WILL get shot at, and it will be pushed beond it's pre-set flight envelope, to save it's pilot in a pinch. So why spend hundreds of workhours perfecting the surface of the cyclic stick handle, when the alternative is to producing 20 handles in the same amount of time.?.? As long as the set dimetions are correct, it's just smart thinking?

 

Just from studying the western vs. eastern characteristics over the last 50 years in the miletary aero industry, I noticed that not only have the different eastern design burau's made maching models to the west. But since the first time we saw the MIG-29 series, it was quite evident that the path might be different from the west, but it was sure as H*LL paralell!!

 

(and maybe even slightly ahead off us on many points):thumbup:

 

Cred to you Hellfrog for crossing over to the green side (you'll get a cookie later)..!

 

And the rest of you, go out to your closest landfill, and talk to the guys that work there..! They will most likely give you all the help you need if you ask them nicely..? So next time they pick up an old photocopier from the street, maybe they can set it aside for a week. So that you get to take it apart and geet your much needed parts before they crush it..!

 

 

..... I don't mean sound all "Green and Angry" guys. But it's a fact that since 5 years ago, I noticed a change in our local landfill site. And now It's actually a fitting site for my sunday walk..! I'm not kidding..! It looks more lake a park than it does a landfill..!

And you can't complain with that..! hehe:music_whistling:

[Avilator]

Just to add to the fun:

The FIRST robotics team at my school (I'm a member) was cleaning out their shop at the beginning of the year. They had a bunch of muffin fans that they were getting rid of. End result? A backpack full of fans of different sizes and a cooling system for my simpit for free.:thumbup:

[Feed]

I am absolutely in awe of what you've done there, Triggerhappy. Fantastic work, and inspiring.

[Triggerhappy69]

Just to add to the fun:

The FIRST robotics team at my school (I'm a member) was cleaning out their shop at the beginning of the year. They had a bunch of muffin fans that they were getting rid of. End result? A backpack full of fans of different sizes and a cooling system for my simpit for free.:thumbup:

 

See..? One mans trash really is another mans gold..! Good job..!

 

I am absolutely in awe of what you've done there, Triggerhappy. Fantastic work, and inspiring.

 

Thank you..! I did some final rework of the trigger mechanism today..

 

Here's a video of its basic functions: