Traction Loss lets you feel the sensation of the rear end of the car drifting.

On the chassis side, the shopping list includes two frames:

Lower frame: the one that will be fixed, and which receives the SRT80 actuator. It’s not exactly a rectangle, as the rear section is longer to accommodate the rails.

Upper frame: the one that pivots. This frame can be the one that holds your seat, or you can install a 4-actuator frame.

Any change in geometry modifies the length of all parts. So, if you deviate from the suggested dimensions, you’ll probably have to adjust the length of some parts. The proposed rail lengths are slightly oversized to allow adjustment to geometries approaching those proposed.

1) Shopping list

The shopping list doesn’t include the brackets.

Rig/frame :

Low frame dimensions: 70cm x 124cm

• 1 x 8040 62cm
• 2 x 8040 120cm
• 1 x 8040 110cm

Top frame dimensions: 70cm x 130cm

• 2 x 8040 62cm
• 2 x 8040 130cm

Rod ends/bearings :

3 x SHF12 (Aliexpress)

3 x FK12 (Aliexpress)

2 x SK12 (Aliexpress)

2 x SK20 (Aliexpress)

2 x KP001 (Aliexpress)

1 x POS22 (male thread-right, M22x1.5) (Aliexpress)

Rails :

2x30cm MGN15H with carriage (Aliexpress)

2x10cm MGN15H with carriage (Aliexpress)

Axles :

1 x 12x150mm (Aliexpress)

1 x custom axle (Aliexpress)

3 x Limit Screw D12 (M10), length40mm (Aliexpress)

Screws:

T nuts :

12 x M6

M3 for rails

2) Driver settings:

1. pn62 = 6
2. pn024 = 100

Wiring :

Here is how to wire the driver to the arduino if you are using the Smart Control Box. If you are using the Competition Control Box, you don’t need to do anything.

Calibration is performed as follows: the motor runs until it reaches the stop.Then it goes to the middle position. Then it will use data coming from simtools or flypt.

4) 3D files

The 3D files are available on the download page.

If you don’t own a 3D printer, you can order them here.

Each file contains a printing instruction in the form rxxixx. The first number is the precision, the second the filling. For example r02i30 means accuracy of 0.2 and filling at 30%. It is also useful to double the thickness of the walls.

The mention “support” indicates that supports are needed…

I also recommend to activate the adhesion to avoid warping (part that comes off the support).

All the parts are in the ideal orientation for printing.

You need to print the parts for the front pivot once, and the parts for the rear pivot twice.

5) Assembly

The post Traction loss rig with SRT80 actuators appeared first on Lebois Racing.

1. Features
2. Shopping list
3. Wiring
4. Code
5. 3D Files

1) Features

The Smart Control Box adds three buttons that can then be used like conventional buttons, and in particular be assigned on FlyPT to the “Connect”, “Increase gain” and “Decrease gain” functions that allows to control the SRT80 actuators.

This page is dedicated for using with FlyPT and Simtools only

The button LEDs are lit when FlyPT is connected.

2) Shopping list

Compared to the basic shopping list, we only need three 12mm buttons. I recommend using the buttons referenced below, which incorporate LEDs that are used to provide feedback: they only light up when FlyPT is connected to the Arduino.

• 3 buttons 12mm with led (3-6V), momentary reset (Aliexpress)
• one Arduino Leonardo (et non uno) (Amazon)

3) Wiring

The three buttons are wired on pins A2, A3 and A4. The LEDs are powered on pin A5.

• Increase Gain – A2
• Decrease Gain – A3
• Connect – A4

As far as the drivers are concerned, there’s nothing to be done.

The buttons have four pins:

One + and one – facing each other (LED function), and two pins for the button function. One of these can be connected to a – :

4) Code

Available here. The FlyPT profile is the same.

5) 3D files

Available here

The post Smart Control Box for the SRT80 actuators with FlyPT appeared first on Lebois Racing.

1) Shopping list

• 4 x upgrade kit for OpenSFX actuators (Aliexpress)
• 16 x DIN912 M6x110mm
• 16 x DIN912 M6x70mm
• 16 x DIN7991 M3x20
• 4 x grub screw M6x12

2) 3D files

The 3D files are available on Thingiverse.

You will also find a step file which will allow you to integrate the cylinders in your CAD.

Each file contains a printing instruction in the form xx-xx. The first number is the precision, the second the filling. For example 02-30 means accuracy of 0.2 and filling at 30%. It is also useful to double the thickness of the walls.

The mention “support” indicates that supports are needed…

I also recommend to activate the adhesion to avoid warping (part that comes off the support).

I recommend using the Cura slicer.

All the parts are in the ideal orientation for printing.

3) Assembly

The assembly is the same as the SRT80.

The post Upgrade kit for OpenSFX Actuators appeared first on Lebois Racing.

For each step, there is a dedicated channel on the Discord to help you (go to SRT80 ENGLISH after choosing the language in verify-first.

Summary :

1. How to start
2. How it works
3. Shopping list
4. Control Box
5. Wiring
6. Driver settings
7. Arduino Code
8. Simhub
9. FlyPT configuration
10. Simtools configuration
11. 3D files
12. Assembly
13. FAQ

1) How to start

All the necessary documentation is available on this page. If you have any questions, the FAQ is there to answer them, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, take a look at the Discord to find the whole community!

The SRT80s are very similar to the OpenSFX100 in their operation. The opensfx.com site is a source of additional information.

To succeed in this project, it is necessary to test your work at each step: the motors alone, the mechanism alone, then the two sets, then the whole on your simulator.

I reiterate the warning: Voltages, torques and speeds are important. Take all necessary precautions. I am not responsible for any problem.

2) How it works

The SRT80 actuators are based on a ball screw with a ball nut on it. The ball nut moves up or down as the screw turns. The screw is attached to the shaft of a motor called a “servo motor”. The servo motor is controlled by a driver. The driver receives instructions from the arduino which tells it how many degrees to turn (pulse), and in which direction (dir).

It is the FlyPT software that retrieves the data from the game, and sends it to the Arduino.

The servo drivers are activated by the Arduino board. Once activated, the drivers emit a very slight aïgu noise, noise covered by the general operation of the simulator.

3) Shopping list

The shopping list is available here. The kit proposed by Industry&CNC is proposed in economic delivery for Europe (delivery by train, indicated by “seller’s shipping method”). This shipping method takes about one month (do not take into account the Aliexpress estimate). Please note that the tracking number provided by Industry&CNC will only be functional at the end of the transport.

Moreover, do not hesitate to contact me if the rates or the shipping costs are aberrant. We tried to offer the best rates on all means of delivery, but there may remain some errors related to the system.

The shopping list is separated in two parts: the first one indicating what is included in the kit, and the second one what is not, and must be ordered separately.

It gives the details of the parts needed to manufacture a cylinder. Industry&Cnc offers a discount on most of the items when you buy 4 of them.

“What is the difference between the A and C drivers?” Unlike C drivers, A drivers emit a high-pitched noise when they are active. This high-pitched noise is covered by the operation of the simulator.

4) Control Box

The control box which houses the arduino is available in several versions:

Standard Control Box	Smart Control Box (Patreon exclusivity)	Competition Control Box
4 actuators	4 actuators + TractionLoss 3 buttons Feeback LED : connection, error.	4 actuators + TractionLoss 3 buttons Feeback LED : connection, error. Plug & Play Emi Shielding
Complete documentation	Complete documentation	Complete documentation

5) Wiring

Caution : Voltages, torques and speeds are important. Take all necessary precautions. I am not responsible for any problem.

a) Driver and motor power supply

It is difficult to make a mistake in the wiring of the motor. This part is detailed on page 8 and 13 of the drivers manual.

b) Wiring between Arduino and driver

We reuse the pulse/dir connectors on the DB25 socket of each driver. On the arduino side we use a 5 pins GX12 connector.

Schematic :

For info: pin 13 of the Arduino is also a mass thanks to the code.

6) Drivers settings

The drivers, similar to AASD, have 200 parameters, fortunately you don’t need to change them all.

They are detailed on page 38 of the manual. This video shows how to modify the parameters.

I highly recommend testing the motor operation via flypt with the engine disassembled!

7) Arduino Code

At this stage, you have your motors wired to the Arduino, without the reste of the mechanical parts. You can flash the Arduino code that is specific to your Control Box (how to flash a code).

We will be able to test the connection between the arduino and the software you are using (Flypt or Simtools). Once the connection has been verified and the motors tested, you can move on to assembling the mechanics.

8) Simhub

The module is currently in beta, so proceed with caution.

1. activate the Motion plugin by clicking on add/remove features, then activate the motion plugin:

2. Install the presets like explained on this page.

3. Enable the effects as follow, then click on “Output settings” :

4. Click on “Add new controller”, then select “SRT80 Competition control box”. If this option is not present, step 2 has been performed incorrectly.

5. Select the correct USB port for the Competition Control Box.

6.Click on “Edit axis assignments” and fill in :

7. You can now click on “Enable Motion”, and the simulator is ready. Depending on the options you have chosen, the simulator may only be active in-game.

9) FlyPT Configuration

All the electronics are ready: Arduino flashed and connected to the drivers, configured drivers, and connected motors, without the mechanical part.

You can now load the dedicated FlyPT profile.

To load the FlyPT profile, launch FlyPt (v3.4.2), right click>file>open and select the profile.

To finalize the installation, click on the “Output::serial” tile, then on “update ports” and in the “port” list select the arduino port. Then click on ” connect “. The motors are all supposed to turn in the same direction smoothly and then stop: this is the simulator that starts from the bottom position to the middle position. Now click on disconnect, and the motors perform the same movement in the other direction: the simulator moves from the middle position to the bottom position. If everything went well, you can continue. Otherwise, see you on the Discord.
Now in the main menu, click on the tile of the simulation of your choice, then click on connect, and check if the motors are reacting to the games inputs.

The FlyPT website contains documentation that you should read if you want to take advantage of it : each game need a specific configuration

Once you have your actuators working and your installation is running smoothly, I also recommend watching this video to understand how to use the filters.

10) Simtools Configuration

Here is the configuration for Simtools V3

And here is the assignment of the axes:

You can launch the game and check if the behavior is as follows:

1) All motors rotate in the same direction at start-up (the simulator moves from the bottom position to the middle position)

2) In game, the engines seem to follow the movements of the car

3) When you leave the game, the actuators perform the opposite movement of 1), the simulator goes from the middle position to the bottom position.

If the behavior is ok, continue with the assembly

11) 3D files

The 3D files are available on the download page.

If you don’t own a 3D printer, you can order them here.

You will also find a step file which will allow you to integrate the actuators in your CAD.

Each file contains a printing instruction in the form xx-xx. The first number is the precision, the second the filling. For example 02-30 means accuracy of 0.2 and filling at 30%. It is also useful to double the thickness of the walls.

The mention “support” indicates that supports are needed…

I also recommend to activate the adhesion to avoid warping (part that comes off the support).

All the parts are in the ideal orientation for printing.

The box containing the Arduino is available separately here.

12) Assembly

13) FAQ

My electrical installation is in 110V, what to do (ex : Canada)

A priori the servos are designed to work with 220v. You can buy a 110v>220v converter (Amazon), or set the drivers to accept 110V, at your own risk of course.

Can I use this actuator in Push-Pull mode?

Yes, just screw in a 22mm ball joint like a POS22.

Why don’t I see any information about the emergency stop button?

Basically there are two failures that can occur: either the motor starts to turn endlessly in one direction, or in the other. In one case, the slider comes to a stop on the linear bearing support, and blocks the motor: no dramatic consequences. In the other case, the slider can break the linear bearing support, then come out of the rod. This is less funny. The problem is that the motor is so fast that you probably won’t have time to cut… That’s why I don’t usually include it in my setups.

Why an Arduino Uno instead of the Leonardo used on the OpenSFX? 

Because the Uno is cheaper, easier to find, and also because it has a USB type A connector that is more resistant than the micro USB of the Leonardo. Moreover, the computing power is the same.

Is the SRT80 compatible with Thanos controller ? 

Yes.

How can I prevent my chassis from jumping when making big movements?

The actuators are powerful enough to make the chassis jump. You need to limit the speed of the actuators or secure them to the floor.

FlyPT or Simtools?

I personally use FlyPT and prefer it because its presentation is more logical (although confusing at first), and it’s much easier to see what’s going on. Furthermore, it is much more practical to share a FlyPT setting than Simtools. That said, Simtools is more popular, its Simtools community established, support is responsive, and software development is very supported. In both cases your experience will be excellent.

2-actuators configuration?

The 2-actuators configuration allows you to obtain a high-quality 2DOF simulator, and to limit the expense before adding the 2 other actuators. To do this, you’ll need a pivot positioned at the center of gravity. A shock-absorbing foot will do the trick nicely. The two actuators are positioned at the front. M1 is the right front, M2 the left. You can then use this specific FlyPT profile.

3-actuators configuration?

The 3-actuators configuration is not recommended: it does indeed produce a 3DOF, as with 4 actuators. But the triangular positioning of the actuators makes the chassis unstable and prevents you from taking full advantage of the actuators’ power. It also means that the “middle actuator” has to be positioned quite a long way in front or behind, which reduces angular travel.

The post SRT80 actuators appeared first on Lebois Racing.

SRT80 actuators are powerful enough to give the simulator an inertia that allows it to lift off the ground. This generates a significant shock when it falls back down: bad for the actuators, bad for the precision of the movement, bad for the neighborhood.

In addition, the lower frame on which the actuators are mounted filters vibrations so that they don’t reach the ground.

How ?

Fixing the actuators of a motion simulator is far from easy. There are two problems:

The first is to find a ball joint that allows the actuator to pivot. The ball joint must support the entire load of the chassis and have no play… Not an easy task.
The second problem is to allow the actuator to move sideways. And yes, when the chassis tilts, the distance between the cylinder feet changes slightly.

The compromise I opted for was to use elastomer shock-absorbing feet: they’re flexible enough to allow rotation and lateral movement. This solution is economical and easy to install, but has two drawbacks: firstly, the elastomer forces the cylinder back into the vertical position, which increases bearing fatigue. Secondly, the flexibility of elastomers reduces the precision of the chassis.

On my chassis, I chose to attach the moving part to an 8040 profile frame, on which I install as many components as possible for ballasting.

This solution is only possible because SRT80s are designed as Push-Pull actuators.

Shopping list :

The shopping list is given for 4 actuators:

• 4 shock absorber 40x25mm M10x27 male male (Aliexpress)
• 4 M10 nuts (Aliexpress)
• M8 screw (depend on what your are securing the actuator).

3D files :

The 3D file is available here.

The post Securing SRT80 actuators to the floor appeared first on Lebois Racing.

Want to support this project ? https://www.paypal.me/leboisVR?locale.x=en

Summary :

1. Presentation
2. Caracteristics
3. Shopping list

For info: I do not sell ANY PEDALS OR PRINTED PARTS. That would be trading, and I am not, and do not wish to be a trader. I don’t do black either. No need to ask. However, I am looking for a company that could produce plastic parts for those who do not own 3D printers. If you know of any…

1) Presentation

The SRT100 actuator is simlar to the OpenSFX100 actuator, of which it shares an important part of the components. The main difference lies in the motors used : stepper motors for the SRT100, servo motors for the OpenSFX (more powerfull, but also more expensive).

The motor is fixed to the ballscrew, The ball screw nut is linked to a 30mm wide shaft.

2) Caracteristics

The SRT100 travel is around 150mm. Each actuator supports more than 75kg. Beyond that, the speed will be reduced. The Arduino board controls 3, 4 or 4 actuators, thought the FlyPT mover software (free).

SRT100 or SRT150 ? It depends on the type of race you are in and the angles you want to reach. Personally, I have much more angle on my simulator than most simulators I see. For this reason, I prefer the SRT150. But to exploit this travel, you need more speed and therefore more power. This is a good setup if you use 4 actuators. For your information, the further apart the actuators are, the less travel you will have.

3) Shopping list

The full and detailled and updated shopping list is available here.

Electronic :

1. Arduino Uno (Amazon, Aliexpress)
2. Cables 3cores 22awg (outer diameter is 4mm). Each driver is linked to the Arduino by 3 wires (pulse, direction, ground).  So you can use 3 wires for each driver, or a 12 leads cable coming from the Arduino, that you then split in four groups of 3 wires (for 4 actuators). It is interesting if the Arduino is far from the drivers.
3. Power supply 72V 20A (Aliexpress)

MECHANICS :

1. Mechanical kit for SRT100/150 actuators : Industry&CNC, partner of Lebois Racing, offer a complete kit for the SRT100 and SRT150 actuators, that includes : SFU1610 300mm or 350mm ballscrew, FK12 bearing, 300x30mm or 350×30 shaft, LMEK30UU linear bearing, 40x30mm 14mm-10mm shaft coupler. Each actuator requires one set. The price is good, and each component has been tested.
2. 1 extrusion 100100 250mm ou 300mm Kinetics. It is the only compatible model.
3. Reduction sleeve RH10/M8, self-tapping

Motors :

Nema 34 motor, 12Nm, closed loop and a HBS86H (Ebay)

Screws (one set per actuator):

• 8 x M8 x 50 (Amazon, Aliexpress) :  To fix the linear bearing support and the fixed bearing support to the Kinetics extrusion.
• 4 x M6 x 90 (Vis Express, Aliexpress) :  To fix the motor to the Kinetic extrusion
• 4 x M6 x 25 (Aliexpress) : To fix the linear bearing
• 4 x M4 x 25 (Aliexpress) : To fix the fixed bearing
• 6 x M5 x 20 (Aliexpress) : To fix the slider

The post SRT100 actuators appeared first on Lebois Racing.

If you have three actuators instead of four, you just have to not wire the fourth motor. The “direction” signal indicates in which way the motor will turn. So we need two wires between each driver and the Arduino :

Each Pulse- and Dir- pins are linked to the Arduino ground.

Each driver is linked to the power supply by two wires. AC1 goes to +, and AC2 goes to -.

WARNING THE DRIVER SWITCHES MUST BE POSITIONNED AS FOLLOWED (for driver v3):

The motors are wired to the drivers by 4 wires :

Position encoders allow to detect the position of the motors, that is used to correct the position if needed. Each encoder is wired by 6 wires :

Here is the full wiring schematic. Once again, the most important thing is to correctly set the driver’s switches. If not set properly, the actuator could get damaged by exceeding the maximum travel.

Once the wiring is done, you can link the Arduino to FlyPT and check if is works without the motor mounted on the actuators.

The post SRT100 actuators : Wiring appeared first on Lebois Racing.

Industry&CNC’s Aluminum Profiles

Industry&CNC offers profiles similar to the Kinetic. Available in raw aluminum, they are sold already threaded in M14, all you have to do is install the inserts available here (choose M8). The slider is slightly different, and available for download here.

Industry&Cnc mechanical kit

The mechanical parts kit is compatible with both actuators. In particular, the manufacturer offers both 100mm and 150mm versions.

Linear bearing mount

Mounting the linear bearing upside down gives 1 cm of travel. It is compatible with OpenSFX100 actuators without any other physical modification. Available here. Don’t forget to add the supports !

https://opensfx.com/

The post OpenSFX actuators appeared first on Lebois Racing.