Thursday, October 24, 2019

6DOF platform from PT-ACTUATOR


Here is a quick presentation of a 6DOF platform that can be used for race of flight simulation. You can always use your own recessed frame instead of the one provided but the thing about the existing frame is that is very light and modular for easy shipping in a crate. These new actuators offer huge motion range and speed (800mm/s) and combined with these heavy duty universal joint can support even a full size Cessna cockpit.




Motion controller: AMC-AASD15A

Actuator specifications:
-Foldback
-600mm stroke
-800mm/s speed
-Ball screw 2525, lead pitch 25mm/rev
-Motor 2.5kw

6DOF platform dynamic load specs: 400kg+


The metal structure comes in pieces that you can assemble together for easy shipping via smaller size crate.



For more information check out the PT-ACTUATOR website:
http://www.pt-actuator.com/


Thanos
San Diego, California
USA, 2019

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

AMC-AASD15A servo controller development - Completed?

Join the Thanos Discord channel Conversations now!! https://discord.gg/bx4PxYR



AMC-AASD15A and 150mm stroke actuator


After a few months of developing and beta testing the AMC-AASD15A servo controller is now the most safe and comprehensive motion controller for servomotors using direct  Step/DIR control method. At this point it not only support the AASD-15A (and AASD-20A) servo drives, but also Syntron HS servo drives and Dorna M1 Servo drives with custom wiring for 44pin cables.

It features great safety features like, automatic home calibration on power up or hot-plug data cable connection, or Platform Check to constantly check the state of each actuator for failures from over-current or over-torque and if any of the actuators fail and gets disabled, will safely park the rest active actuators to home position to prevent motion with less actuators until the issue is resolved. Additionally there are inputs to hook up emergency stop switch, manual park/standby button and force offline switch to pause the motion without interrupting the simulation game.

While the AMC-AASD15A is plug and play regarding the wiring, you may need to adjust a few parameters in the LCD user menu regarding the actuator model. The control panel has a few controls to allow navigation of the user menu, as well to manually test the motion of the actuators without motion software connection:




The latest firmware v2.07 allows use of actuators of any stroke length, and calculates and sets the model of the servo internally using a few simple parameters by the user that can be set differently for each actuator if needed:
*Leadscrew size (4mm/rev, 5mm/rev, 10mm/rev and 25mm/rev supported)
*Belt Ratio (1:1, 1:1.5 , 1:2 ratios suported)
*Inline or Foldback motor actuator mount methods
*Actuator Stroke

The max actuator stroke calculation depends on the Leadscrew size used and the belt ratio (if belt is used, usually only on Foldback type actuators). See a chart of the possible combinations and their effect on the max available stroke length that the AMC-AASD15A controller can handle.


LeadscrewRatioMax Stroke
4mm/rev1:1580mm
4mm/rev1:1.5390mm
4mm/rev1:2290mm
5mm/rev1:1640mm
5mm/rev1:1.5430mm
5mm/rev1:2320mm
10mm/rev1:11290mm
10mm/rev1:1.5860mm
10mm/rev1:2640mm
25mm/rev1:12500mm
25mm/rev1:1.51660mm
25mm/rev1:21250mm

If you are looking for custom size actuators, you could inquiry on PT-ACTUATOR, they do custom actuators except the listed stroke sizes on their website.



AMC-AASD15A menu walkthrough - Firmware 2.06



All the recent firmware update history as well additional information can be seen here:
https://github.com/tronicgr/AMC-AASD15A-Firmware



Apart from that, the AMC-AASD15A servo controller now supports 7 servos by adding an extra DB25 connector on the side. Easy to replicate PCB was created and available to order from OSHPark. You can now order that allows easy attachment of the BD25 connector without wiring, just a 2.54mm header (male and female): https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/pSGlJpx4

The 3D printed enclosure was updated to accommodate for this extra servo port as well.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3648091


3D printed enclosure with Servo7-aux DB25 




Regarding the motion software support, Simtools 2.4 release has now included a "AMC" interface plugin that includes the AMC-AASD15A in the supported devices allowing to use 7 axis. Also there is available a AMC config tool to access and modify the parameters in the AMC-AASD15A that you can download here:
https://github.com/tronicgr/AMC-AASD15A-Firmware/tree/master/Simtools_interface_plugin



There is an expensive playlist on YouTube with all videos regarding the AMC-AASD15A, that includes tutorials and many demonstrations on actual motion platforms:



If you are interested in the AMC-AASD15A Servomotor Motion controller please visit:
And feel free to join my Discord for latest news, or ask questions!



Thanks



Thanos
San Diego, California
USA, 2019