Cyclic/Collective controls?

[july865]

@Viper1970

where are you getting your switches and rotary components?

and also what brand do you consider top-o-line  

[Viper1970]

No, not top-o-line

 

I will use standard buttons and switches available in electronic shops. For the POV's I use some designs I found at Thingiverse and rework them a little bit for my own needs. Things have to be relatively cheap cause I already investet a lot of money in the whole pit project. No used MASON buttons or transducers here .

 

The whole project, my universal pit, should bring an immerson of the type of aircraft you are flying, but it is not meant to be an exact replica with top notch equipment. This would be far beyond my skills and also my budget. I'm quiet happy if those things work like they should.

Edited September 7, 2021 by Viper1970

[mikkebos]

Would you guys plan to share your apache cyclic/collective models to print? Would love to print the models and make it work.

[Wrench]

I've seen a few posts about the number of inputs needed, and even saying one might. Need several Leo Bodnar boards.

Before going that route, look into keyboard matrices. It's a good way to get a lot of inputs on a small number of pins I plan on getting some PCBs made in China with surface mount diodes and simple soldering pads for the wiring.

The math is pretty encouraging, and I think I can get the whole TEDAC on one Arduino, let alone a LB board.

[Viper1970]

On 10/9/2021 at 12:41 AM, mikkebos said:

Would you guys plan to share your apache cyclic/collective models to print? Would love to print the models and make it work.

 

I already shared mine. Some guys have also already printed them respectively just doing the print.

 

So it looks like the models are ok. I haven't printed them yet by myself, cause I want to finish all my other parts first and doing a long print session with all my parts after this.

 

If you want the files also, just PM me. But as said in my homepit thread, they are meant for my own pit and therefore a lot of things have to be adjusted if someone would like to use them in another way. I also don't have the time and desire to make my models compatible to other needs at the moment. I only want to make my own dream of the last 25-30 years come true.

 

I only made the HOTAS/universal cockpit thread to show that many things are possible even if you are not a 3D modeller or an electronic technican. If you have a dream and the aim to fulfill it, many things can be possible. Not perfect and not top notch, but good enough and mostly affordable.

[mbenson]

I just found this topic.  If yall can design the mechanisms, I can design the electronics and write the firmware.  Have it all look like a joystick.  I have several 3d printers, a laser cutter, and a CNC mill.  I also have the equipment to fabricate custom circuit boards.  I usually use arduinos for simple projects, but when the I/O count starts getting really high, I can make custom circuit boards.  The most complicated sim rig I've ever built had 18 analog signals and 192 switches, buttons, and LEDs.

[mbenson]

On 10/8/2021 at 10:14 PM, Wrench said:

I've seen a few posts about the number of inputs needed, and even saying one might. Need several Leo Bodnar boards.

Before going that route, look into keyboard matrices. It's a good way to get a lot of inputs on a small number of pins I plan on getting some PCBs made in China with surface mount diodes and simple soldering pads for the wiring.

The math is pretty encouraging, and I think I can get the whole TEDAC on one Arduino, let alone a LB board.

You can add GPIO extenders to Arduino to get additional I/O.  We designed a circuit board that one can just plug in a Pro-Micro and it will give you 64 digital I/O and 7 analog I/O, with a separate power supply for up to 64 bright LEDs.  We designed it specifically for sim rigs.  I would sell them if I knew there was a market.

[cgjimeneza]

On 10/15/2021 at 2:23 PM, mbenson said:

I just found this topic.  If yall can design the mechanisms, I can design the electronics and write the firmware.  Have it all look like a joystick.  I have several 3d printers, a laser cutter, and a CNC mill.  I also have the equipment to fabricate custom circuit boards.  I usually use arduinos for simple projects, but when the I/O count starts getting really high, I can make custom circuit boards.  The most complicated sim rig I've ever built had 18 analog signals and 192 switches, buttons, and LEDs.

hi... looking in youtube... i found this

maybe a model for Apaches can be done, and instructions even for us non electrical Engrs done... (Im a pure old, very old, fashioned Mech Eng... so i can learn a couple tricks)

[Bedouin]

I am still hoping for VirPil to make a Apache Grip to their collective, i already got the Shark one, and considering the Hawk.. Now that we got the BlackHawk Mod.

[sirrah]

On 1/19/2022 at 9:30 AM, Bedouin said:

I am still hoping for VirPil to make a Apache Grip to their collective, i already got the Shark one, and considering the Hawk.. Now that we got the BlackHawk Mod.

On one hand, it should be a no brainer for Virpil to develop and sell an Apache grip, as a lot of people will be interested very soon.

On the other hand, I also think the rather large Apache grip would require Virpil to add some sort of counterweight to their current collective design. And on top of that, the grip complexity might make it twice as expensive as their standard grips (which again would hold back potential customers...)

 

[Killg0re NL]

Well Viper1970 also did some awesome work, on an AH64 collective. (and Cylic)

Is there anyone capable to modify the STL file's for Virpil Collective mounting?

[Lobinjaevel]

I'm in the process, soon done with the collective, then the cyclic. I will use the curved extensions connector tho. Hopefully Virpil will sell it as spare part, will see what I need for PCBs first before I mail them.

The old Mongoose T50 grip I slaughtered doesn't have a analog stick input, so I will try the Alpha PCB which does. 

[jabbabzh]

I would so much an ah64 collectiv grip ,i hope someone will sell one for virpil collectiv