How to DIY 6DOF Motion Platform
Follow Shenzhen UNI Technology Co.,Ltd to learn how to DIY 6DOF Stewart motion platform. It is necessary to build a 6-axis motion platform for professional or amateur drivers.
Components of 6DOF Motion System
The 6DOF motion system comsists of motion platform, electric actuators, motor drive system,controller etc..
Among them, the bottom motion platform links to the ground while the top platform supporting the payload.
As for simulator actuators, you choose suitable model based on your needs.
I know many of you will be curious on “How much payload do I need for UNI 6DOF motion system platform?”
Well, that’s depends on your requirements. But single load of actuator value aren’t payload divided by six. This is easy to understand. If platform tilts to one side, then the gravity center are uneven. Single load of actutor are not able to suppot heavy payload. It will reduce the lift of ball screw as well. Also, cockpit, monitor weight need to be taken into consideration.
Normally, motor&drive will come along together with actuators kit. DC/AC servo motor are most popular. Motor drive will actuate the electric actuator after receiving signals from control system. You can control the position&speed accurately and easily. However,DC system are of cheaper price for sure. Besides, power supply are required. As a result, please make sure the power of supply are twice of motor power.
The computer control system is programmed to control the stroke and speed of the electric linear actuators to realize the multi-degree of freedom movement of the motion platform in three-dimensional space. Specifically, the motion platform is free to change position as forward/backward (surge), up/down (heave), left/right (sway) translation in three perpendicular axes, combined with changes in orientation through rotation about three perpendicular axes, often termed yaw (normal axis), pitch (transverse axis), and roll (longitudinal axis).
If you don’t have any experience of making the control system, our engineer team can help. UNI Tech controller integrates any software that can export telemetry data in any protocol. Our controller can compatible with softwares like Real engine, unity etc. Plug and play solution covers 100% customer needs wordwide.
A brief description of the major Components
1）Motion Platform
The upper platform connects to the simulated mechanism such as the cockpit, driving seat or flight cabinet,etc.
As for the mounting joints, universal joints are most common as it allows for up to 35 degree rotation. The upper articulated joint connects the top platform to the piston rod of the electric actuators. Meanwhile, the lower articulated joint connects the fixed bottom base to the actuators rear cover.
The stroke,speed and payload of the platform can be customized based on customers’ requirements.
The bottom platform is mounted to the floor for fixating propose. What’s more, the connecting joints are available for bigger degree of rotation. For example, 6DOF motion system platform with rotatory joints on both ends up to 360 degree of rotation.
2）The hardware of computer control system
The motion control unit: applying the servo control unit which involves motor driver as the motion signal receiver to realize the start and pause of the whole motion platform.
Moreover, it receives the control signal sent by host computer, controls the motion of electric cylinders, monitors the servo motor driver and the motion of the whole control system, processes the malfunction as well as safety protection.
The signal process unit: to process all sensors’ signal that related to the whole motion platform system, testing signal and the digital I/O signal as well as driving of the servo driver. For now, we use a whole set of the control system, we can provide if required.
3）The control software
As for the the motion control computer software, there are motion control software and logic control software included, which can be controlled by simply connecting to a computer. Our software includes: 1. receiving datas from games; 2. Motion cueing; 3.Motion cueing feedbacks to motion platform.
For those who intends to build an DIY 6DOF Motion Platform or entertaining multi-degree of freedom platform, the game player’s action can be captured by a purchased game software. What’s more, the action signal will be sent to the controller connected to the electric actuators to make the driver actuates the electric cylinders for extension and retraction, which can realize an immersive simulation experience.
