Simchair MKIII basic 6 axis controller (outdated) by hc625ma

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

This one is no longer supported.
Use an I2C version:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2919692
This is a Simchair MKIII 6 axis controller enclosure. The controller itself is an Arduino UNO (the one with atmega 16u2 on USB, e.g. original one or its exact clone) with a protoshield v 5 on top of it. A frame adaptor holds 4 8p8c sockets that are glued to it. The software for it is included (UnoJoy_10bit_3_axes_v1.1.zip). It allows up to 6 axes to be connected. It does not support buttons (i will design a separate button controller with a wireless interface to support interchangeable wireless collective heads, cyclic grips, overhead panels etc after I will be done with mark III cyclic and pedals)
You can also find the firmware on GitHub: https://github.com/hc625ma/simchair
You will need:
Arduino UNO (https://goo.gl/2dhz99) x 1pcs (note that atmega 16u2 on USB is a MUST)
Arduino UNO Proto shield (https://goo.gl/kwKGgi) x 1pcs
8p8c sockets (https://goo.gl/i9XNi8) x4pcs
M3x50mm screws x4pcs
M3 nuts x 6pcs
some wires to solder sockets to the shield
This is intended to be used with IKEA GUNDE chair and Simchair MKIII frame, which is currently in development but can be used as a standalone joystick controller.
--UPDATE 11.02.2018
Uploaded updated firmware. Now we have 3 filtered 10 bit (1024 points instead of 255 for 8 bit) axes for cyclic and pedals!
Filtering levels are adjustable. It is done in both 328p and 16u2 code to prevent not only ADC and sensor noise but also the noise spikes developing from incorrect reads. Also, baud rate has been increased to 250000 (was 38400 before). Controls in the sim now look rock steady, no jittering can be seen at all. No need in the previous version anymore, so I have deleted it.
--UPDATE 14.02.2018
Firmware update. Added calibration for cyclic, to counter for printing settings/assembly differences, that can lead to displacement of centers of axes.
How to use UnoJoy software:
Upload the "simchair.ino" sketch to your Arduino with an Arduino IDE.
Install Atmel FLIP.
Turn your Arduino into DFU mode.
Your board should come up as an atmega16u2.
Run "Turn into a joystick.bat"
Replug your board and it will show up as a joystick.
Note that ALL analog inputs MUST be either connected to potentiometers or grounded. You can use dummy RJ45 plugs for that (just wire pins 2 to 6 together).
Ethernet cable connections:
White-orange: +5v
Orange: Ground
White-Green: Collective axis
Blue: Throttle 1 axis
White-Blue: Throttle 2 axis
Use the T-568B standard wire order for all your connections (see picture below).
Analog inputs should be connected as follows to match the text on the cover of enclosure:
Sockets from the right (pedals) to the left (cyclic):
pin 1 is always 5v
pin 2 is always GND
Socket 1 (pedals), pin 3 to analog input 5
Socket 2 (collective): pin 3 to analog input 3
pin 4 to analog input 2
pin 5 to analog input 4
Socket 3 (cyclic): pin 3 to analog input 1
pin 4 to analog input 0
Socket 4 (spare)
--- UPDATE 19.05.2018
A better design is available which is a major improvement. Check it out:https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2919692