y2kiah's A-10C cockpit build

[Gadroc]

I am using screens I bought from Vitrolight when I was going to make an F16 pit. I have three 8" (two for MFCDS and one for ADI/HSI) and a 5" (RWR) all with a vga boards. I will be buying a 3.5" vga screen when I design my CDU as well. They will all hook up via a 5870 eyefinity 6 card. I will probably be going down to a single external 46" tv for the pit for performance reasons.

 

HOP_TRIZZ, be aware that not all LCD screens are the same. The VGA board has to be programmed for that specific screen and there are several different signaling methods. Don't just buy a LCD panel assuming you can "just buy" a controller for it. Do some research first or buy a set.

[HOP_TRIZZ]

HOP_TRIZZ, be aware that not all LCD screens are the same. The VGA board has to be programmed for that specific screen and there are several different signaling methods. Don't just buy a LCD panel assuming you can "just buy" a controller for it. Do some research first or buy a set.

 

So true, i was looking at the monitors and scrolled down the screen for the proper boards, looking for the 8 inch for the mfcd about the same thing as your build, man if you do the cdu with a screen count me in for a purchase. just ordered 100 tactile switches from DK, also a board from phig WILL BE ORDERING a few leo boards soon after the 6, also need to get a ufc two. now the main thing that i'm looking for is a good price on a weller 50/60 watt soldering station, i think i might be doing a little work....hahahaha!:thumbup:

Edited December 24, 2011 by HOP_TRIZZ

[avlolga]

Hi y2kiah's,

 

again thanks for your great work and for sharing - small progress following your side panels and from panel.

 

new home for all my stuff:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1358959&postcount=25

 

right panels console:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1348545&postcount=23

 

front console:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1357984&postcount=24

 

Thanks linden, HOP_TRIZZ, Gadroc i think i will go with multiple screen although it is way expensive thanks.

 

 

Avi

[HOP_TRIZZ]

I reworked the MFCDs according to the spec sheet that was posted a little while back, so it's now accurate to the real dimensions. I had to rework the front panel to fit the changes, so in case you're thinking about cutting the old front panel .dxf that I posted, don't! I will post the complete center section tomorrow.

 

Hay happy holidays bro ! have you reposted the front panel yet/ :thumbup:

[JCook]

I've downloaded y2kiah's .dfx files showing right side and left side cutouts. They're real nice - but something seems to be missing, and forgive me I didn't get an A in highschool shop class, but don't there need to be dimensions to go along with those shapes? How can I take those shapes to a carpenter and ask him to cut them - he's going to want to know the lengths and angles right? or am I missing something?

 

I've also been extremely impressed with the individual panels and hope they will be be released with their dimensions soon.

 

Thanks

[Deadman]

Dxf files are for CNC cutting of the parts so you don't need a carpenter

[JCook]

Okay but the left and right consoles are made from wood correct. I had though my carpenter would just take the plans and make the cuts. Are you saying I give these .dfx files to a CNC shop they plu them into their machine and it makes the cuts? - is it that easy?

[Gadroc]

Yes pretty much. The only thing you have to worry about is making sure your wood thickness is .75 inches and not .703(18mm) so the pockets fit right. Other wise you'll have to make some modifications. I have a version that is setup for 18mm thickness material, which I'll try and get posted up tonight.

 

I would not want to try and hand cut these plans, and you would likely spend more in labor than in a CNC shop (I guess depends on your local market).

[JCook]

I'll show those .dfx file to the CNC shop and see if they have enough info to make the cuts.

 

Has anyone considered using one of the gauge kits from simkits (http://www.simkits.com/products.php?groupid=40) for the analog gauges? I was thinking a custom A10 face could be cutout and placed in the round dial.

 

I found a few more resources for switches:

http://www.digikey.com/?curr=USD

http://www.mouser.com/

http://www.newark.com and

http://www.alliedelec.com/sap

[y2kiah]

JCook just make sure you explain the pieces that make up the throttle mount to the CNC shop. The lines on a dxf don't explain the depth of cut by themselves, so they will get it wrong if left up to them. Take a look at some of my screen shots and it will be clear how the pockets are cut, .5" deep, on those pieces.

[Gadroc]

JCook just make sure you explain the pieces that make up the throttle mount to the CNC shop. The lines on a dxf don't explain the depth of cut by themselves, so they will get it wrong if left up to them. Take a look at some of my screen shots and it will be clear how the pockets are cut, .5" deep, on those pieces.

 

Y2kiah, that is something I meant to bring up as well. The DXF are messed up on those. You don't have a full outline of the actual part, you have outlines of the pockets and of the non-pocket parts. Also the pocket cuts need to be extended to account for radius of the milling tool so you don't end up with little bits in the corner. So you need one polygon of the full outline and then separate polygons for the pockets and the pocket polygons should extend by 1/4" outside the profile cut.

[JCook]

Thanks y2kiah. Your work is absolutely awesome - THANK YOU so much for sharing with the community. I am an absolute beginner on this stuff but with your help and the help of others on this forum I'm going to build this pit.

 

So those dfx files are all the CNC shop will need (with the depth of cut explanation)? It just seems funny to me to see a diagram without dimenstions and angles - it must be CNC magic :-)

 

I've seen alot of your 3-D panel pictures (radio, oxygen, lighting, etc) and know you've mentioned several times you'll release info once you're done. Are these panel diagrams / dimensions going to be released anytime soon? Will they also be CNC? I've lined up some local resources for making these once I can get dimenstions.

 

The panels are a bit confusing there appear to be several layers which include an acrylic lighting layer (how does that work?) a back piece and the front piece with laser eched lettering. No idea how any of that works - a step-by-step guide on this would be really helpful. Happy to buy any of these detailed instructions if you decide to sell them - I know you've put alot of work into this.

 

What did you this of my simkits gauge idea from my recent post?

 

John

[y2kiah]

Y2kiah, that is something I meant to bring up as well. The DXF are messed up on those. You don't have a full outline of the actual part, you have outlines of the pockets and of the non-pocket parts. Also the pocket cuts need to be extended to account for radius of the milling tool so you don't end up with little bits in the corner. So you need one polygon of the full outline and then separate polygons for the pockets and the pocket polygons should extend by 1/4" outside the profile cut.

 

Ok I'll make sure to fix them. The export script from sketchup is very basic, I thought there might be some cleanup needed, thanks.

[y2kiah]

Thanks y2kiah. Your work is absolutely awesome - THANK YOU so much for sharing with the community. I am an absolute beginner on this stuff but with your help and the help of others on this forum I'm going to build this pit.

 

So those dfx files are all the CNC shop will need (with the depth of cut explanation)? It just seems funny to me to see a diagram without dimenstions and angles - it must be CNC magic :-)

 

I've seen alot of your 3-D panel pictures (radio, oxygen, lighting, etc) and know you've mentioned several times you'll release info once you're done. Are these panel diagrams / dimensions going to be released anytime soon? Will they also be CNC? I've lined up some local resources for making these once I can get dimenstions.

 

The panels are a bit confusing there appear to be several layers which include an acrylic lighting layer (how does that work?) a back piece and the front piece with laser eched lettering. No idea how any of that works - a step-by-step guide on this would be really helpful. Happy to buy any of these detailed instructions if you decide to sell them - I know you've put alot of work into this.

 

What did you this of my simkits gauge idea from my recent post?

 

John

 

Thanks! As Gadroc already said, these plans are not meant for hand cutting and I wouldn't recommend it. I had CNC cutting in mind from the very beginning, if I was going to design plans for hand cutting they would have turned out very different. I don't plan to release my panel files, but reactorone has released some in this thread.

[Deadman]

At $220.00 a gauge you will be better off getting Mikes books first http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/

 

I'll show those .dfx file to the CNC shop and see if they have enough info to make the cuts.

 

Has anyone considered using one of the gauge kits from simkits (http://www.simkits.com/products.php?groupid=40) for the analog gauges? I was thinking a custom A10 face could be cutout and placed in the round dial.

 

I found a few more resources for switches:

http://www.digikey.com/?curr=USD

http://www.mouser.com/

http://www.newark.com and

http://www.alliedelec.com/sap

[JCook]

Your drawings look like you're impelmenting a custom rudder system. I hadn't considered that for my pit. I just purchased the Saitek Combat rudder system - would that fit under the console in your plans. Not sure of the width of the Saitek - haven't even unboxed it yet - too busy reading these forums. :)

[y2kiah]

The maximum distance between outsides of the pedals is 20.75" minus some clearance. The minimum distance between insides of the pedals is 7 inches, plus some clearance.

The ideal distance between pedal centers I have figured to be 14 inches.

I ripped the electronics out of my old CH pedals and will hook them up to the diy pedals.

 

Any commercial pedals including Saiteks mounted over the center of the base would most likely require a modification to my plans, at the very least to reduce the depth of the center pedestal. OR you could sink the base into the floor of the pit, and try to make it work that way. You always have the option to completely remove the center pedestal or make it a flat piece with no depth and structure to it, and figure out another way to mount the main instrument panel. There is absolutely no way I can design plans to work for 100% of the people that may want to build it. Part of the builder's responsibility is to hack it to fit their own needs and requirements and chosen hardware. Some guys have already pointed out that 3/4" plywood is actually under .71 thickness, while MDF is .75. So right there, I have a major gap in my design based on the material you would choose to build from. Some people prefer MDF, others prefer birch or oak plywood. Because of this, I basically need to have 2 versions of the pit to get a good tight fit between pieces.

[JCook]

No problem. If sinking the Saitek Combat pedals into the floor will work I'll do that - otherwise I can go with a custom rudder system. I plan on using your full plans with the birch (if that is the highest quality), I like the nose extension - only thing I won't implement is the swingout panels.

 

PM'd you earlier this morning regarding the panels - when you get a chance to talk about that stuff let me know. No hurry - wasn't sure if you'd seen that PM.

 

Keep up the great work.

 

John

[JCook]

y2kiah - I assume you're not using the TM MFDs in your pit - probably the TM MFDs are smaller than the A10s actual MFDs?

 

I have the TM MFDs do you know if their size is better suited for an F16's MFD size?

[y2kiah]

y2kiah - I assume you're not using the TM MFDs in your pit - probably the TM MFDs are smaller than the A10s actual MFDs?

 

I have the TM MFDs do you know if their size is better suited for an F16's MFD size?

 

Correct, my MFCD's are designed based on the specs of the real A-10 units. Screen size is just under 5x5, bigger than the 4x4 F-16 screens. The TM MFDs will look small but will fit fine, just mod the panel for a smaller cutout.

5x5-amlcd.pdf

[JCook]

I will use the TM MFDs initially but as I learn more and gain some experience with the electronics I'll go to the larger sized custom MFDs. Not sure which small monitor to use for MFDs but I think there are more options with the larger MFD format. I seem to recall the TM MFDs didn't cover the whole viewing area of the small monitors.

 

The AMLCD 5" looks great - wonder how easily the would interface to DCS A10. Any idea on the cost?

Edited January 5, 2012 by JCook

[y2kiah]

Any idea on the cost?

If I had to guess, $20K per unit? More?

Of course we're talking about replicas here...

8.4" 4:3 screen to get full coverage of a 5x5 area. For your TM's, I think 7" is the common size to use. Go for the bigger screens if you plan to upgrade later, you can always cover up the outer area.

[JCook]

Good idea. Do you have a preference yet on the 7" monitor you'll get - assuming you're going that route?

 

Those AMLCD units look great but the real world avionics are expensive - I'm a pilot also and I know nothing about aviation is inexpensive.

[y2kiah]

I'm going to build replicas of the AMLCDs, so I'll be getting 8.4" screens. I was suggesting 7" for the TM's you already have. Check vitrolight on ebay for screens, I've had good luck with them, quick shipping from China.

[Kuky]

7" widescreen monitor will not cover whole TM MFD's area, if you can get 7" in 4:3 then they will but I have not seen any that are 4:3 and all were wide screen format... in which case 8" 4:3 screen is the minimum you'll have to go for