aniron's attempt

[aniron]

Hello Delta community.

Being somewhat unsatisfied with the translation controls currently available to me in Star Citizen and Kerbal Space Program, I have decided to attempt this build.
Current plan is to make it into a Dzus panel formfactor, similar to the Thrustmaster Warthog throttle, and mountable to the simpit I hope to build one day.
I'll need it to replicate the essential functions from the Warthog Throttle as I use it in Arena Commander, mainly the Mic and airbrake switches, so I'll have to modify a handle as well.

I'll upload some pictures of my prototypes and designs as I go along. I'll be using my Ormerod2 printer, currently fitted only for PLA, but will have at least the essential components in aluminium.

Has there been a consensus on the use of contained hall effect "potentiometers" like the one below as opposed to custom boards mounting an Allegro or ams component?
I'd think the below would be less sensitive to dust etc, and easier to properly mount and center. Am I overlooking something important here?
http://www.digikey.se/product-detail/en ... ND/2620661
(there are 180° and 360° versions, I assume the 180° would be best.)

[aniron]

Ordered some actobotics parts, springs and electronics today.

Haven't made much progress on the base plate mods, except modelling a barebones Dzus system faceplate in openscad.
Will try to upload some pictures of my 3d prints and design files tonight.

Do you feel it would be unwise to cram a bit more switches and controls into the handle?
Something similar to the F35 throttle below?

[aniron]

Received springs from Sodemann (http://www.fjadrar.se) closely matching specs provided by Zdayton (torsion) and SC-Maik (z-centering).
Also received hall potentiometers and a few hat and toggle switches from Digi-key.

Just waiting for the actobotics stuff at this point, and improving my 3d printer's ability to produce fine detail and bridges.
Going on vacation next week, so there won't be any progress until I'm back.

[aniron]

Actobotics parts from Servocity was waiting for me when I came home.

Now I need to print prototype lower arms and baseplate, but that will need to wait until I'm back from my trip.

[aniron]

Now that I have all the parts, here's some progress:


Prototype lower assembly and upper plate assembly:
Not properly fitted since I haven't gotten hold of the proper (imperial) hex key yet.


One of several failed attempts at printing the base plate due to corners lifting:



Current baseplate design, with "mouse ears" added to mitigate warping/lifting at corners:
Ideally, I would like to fit the entire assembly within the square footprint while keeping one pivot axis parallel to the plate's shortest axis.



WIP on ultimate assembly:,

[Ghostpilot]

How come you don't use the hexagonal shaped base plate?
What will the square shaped second floor be for?

[aniron]

How come you don't use the hexagonal shaped base plate?
What will the square shaped second floor be for?

My ultimate goal is a simpit based on the plans for A10-C Warthog simpits available online. The rectangular shape is to be able to mount it in place of a side panel, near the regular Warthog throttle.

The second floor will have openings to accommodate the motion of the throttle arms, and be flush with the Warthog throttle and other panels.

Here's an image of the concept:

[Ghostpilot]

Holy sh*t. That's a lot of gadgets on one and the same place at the same time.
Is that a concept picture of how a sim pit can look like or is it yours?

[Ghostpilot]

Holy sh*t. That's a lot of gadgets in one and the same place at the same time.
Is that a concept picture of how a sim pit can look like or is it yours?

[aniron]

It's not mine.

It's a fully functional A10-C simpit built for DCS, see tacnoworld.fr for details.
It's what made me drool enough to decide to embark on projects like this one.

It is the target I'm aiming towards, only tailored for space sims. I will likely not come anywhere near it in complexity.