Great idea! gonna steal it for my build
Been wondering how to label 36 buttons without making the panel huge...
Community Event / Creation DIY Controller and Throttle
- Thread starter Cataclysm72
- Start date
Great idea! gonna steal it for my build
Been wondering how to label 36 buttons without making the panel huge...
Little progress today, but not completely nonexistent!
First, I assembled the 2nd control pad and connected the wiring to the keypad. 12 signal wires and one ground. As I was suddenly out of tie wraps i had to find another way. So I went on google and found a few nice sites on Cable Lacing. Oldschool stuff, but very interesting. I really like it! (The angle looks odd because I took the photo upside down)
Second job today was to add trigger to the throttle stick, a copy from the one I did on the X/Y stick. I had a free pin on the IO expander and all the .STL files for the 3D-printer were still on the SD-card. Couldn't be easier! So now I have a trigger on both sticks. I haven't decided on what to use it for, but it would be either boost or secondary fire. Well see what feels logical.
First, I assembled the 2nd control pad and connected the wiring to the keypad. 12 signal wires and one ground. As I was suddenly out of tie wraps i had to find another way. So I went on google and found a few nice sites on Cable Lacing. Oldschool stuff, but very interesting. I really like it! (The angle looks odd because I took the photo upside down)
Second job today was to add trigger to the throttle stick, a copy from the one I did on the X/Y stick. I had a free pin on the IO expander and all the .STL files for the 3D-printer were still on the SD-card. Couldn't be easier! So now I have a trigger on both sticks. I haven't decided on what to use it for, but it would be either boost or secondary fire. Well see what feels logical.
Made up my mind on the armrest design. I see this as a huge step forward.
Below is the left-hand side (seen from the pilot's view), the orange bit will be leather. I will be working out the details later (like how to mount/hide screws and support beams). For example, do I need to cut the parts out of acryl or must I resort to MDF. I'd rather not take the last option because I hate sawing.
Below is the left-hand side (seen from the pilot's view), the orange bit will be leather. I will be working out the details later (like how to mount/hide screws and support beams). For example, do I need to cut the parts out of acryl or must I resort to MDF. I'd rather not take the last option because I hate sawing.
Dude, with your controllers, that will look seriously cool!
And as I imagine it, it seems very ergonomical and comfy too
For what its worth, My advice would be to make the main bulk from MDF, and if you dont fancy painting it you could always apply vinyl or similar, TIOO did it on his HOTAS for his C-pod build and gives a really nice finish!
Then do aluminium for the front faceplate where the controls are. Will require some fine work to get right but I think it would be worth it when you feel the cold touch of it!
And as I imagine it, it seems very ergonomical and comfy too
For what its worth, My advice would be to make the main bulk from MDF, and if you dont fancy painting it you could always apply vinyl or similar, TIOO did it on his HOTAS for his C-pod build and gives a really nice finish!
Then do aluminium for the front faceplate where the controls are. Will require some fine work to get right but I think it would be worth it when you feel the cold touch of it!
Thanks dude! As you may know, acryl is mighty cheap and I've got access to a lasercutter. As long as i am making the right measurements i'll be doing most of the work out of acrylic sheets. 3D print the mounting/angle brackets and add the lights in the same way as I'm doing the switch panels.Dude, with your controllers, that will look seriously cool!
And as I imagine it, it seems very ergonomical and comfy too
For what its worth, My advice would be to make the main bulk from MDF, and if you dont fancy painting it you could always apply vinyl or similar, TIOO did it on his HOTAS for his C-pod build and gives a really nice finish!
Then do aluminium for the front faceplate where the controls are. Will require some fine work to get right but I think it would be worth it when you feel the cold touch of it!
I am very much intrigued by your suggestion on using aluminium for the panels, but aluminium has a few drawback, one of the being opaque which would kill all the lights and secondly the laser cutter i have access to isn't able to cut aluminium so that would be a big no go (unfortunately).
However, the bits holding the armrest in the air (the column so to speak) is a perfect candidate for MDF as it is too big for the cutter, and very easy to construct. I do love a bit of rattle-can spraying. The MDF sheets should be perfect for a grounding and a few top coats.
Aah yeah, forgot about the lasercut panels!
But still, the area around the actual throttle handle isnt supposed to have any buttons (unless ive missed something). That is basically just a square with holes in it. You could definitly do it in aluminium with basic tools and get a nice finish! Or do it in metal sheet and get it powdercoated in suitable color!
Im just rambling after getting the warthog hotas, being all metal the handle just feels so nice!
While you are absolutely right, there is a limit to the amount of new skills that should be put into a project. Because i've got the design and the interface pretty much worked out right now, i think i'll just move forward and build the damn thing.
Update: started cutting parts, but as i ran low on material i stopped so i can finish another day with plenty of time in case something goes wrong. I hate having to redo everything because the stuff i used was no longer available. And i want everything done with the same stuff. Do at least i got some side panels done. I want to try to finish all the cuttings by the weekend, looks feasible right now.
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I spent most of my day at the hackerspace, cutting panels with the laser cutter. This morning i went shopping for panels and food; then it was off to the space. On the picture you see all the panels that should make up the housing for the left and right consoles. The columns i mentioned before will be made from MDF.
Tomorrow will be 3D-printing and assembly time!
Tomorrow will be 3D-printing and assembly time!
Cat, any idea what the wattage of the laser is that is used to cut the plastic? They look so neat
It should be a 30watt laser, but the mirrors are very dirty and i run it at 60%, speed '2' if that even means anything. It has little problem making a clear cut through 3mm sheeting i used. For the 6mm bits i bring the speed back to 1.2 setting.Cat, any idea what the wattage of the laser is that is used to cut the plastic? They look so neat
Speed 1, 2 etc will be equivalent of my feedrate, mm/sec I imagine, slower speed for the thicker material. I've long had a hankering to fit a laser module to my CNC machine, I was thinking 60-80 watts would be enough for MDF and acrylic and my machine design would lend itself to a dual router/laser setup. Interesting, see what I mean about you inspiring people?
If there comes a kitavailable for my 3d printer to add a 40w laser, i'd probably buy it. But it only has a 200x200mm plate i doubt it'll be worth it.
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upside down pics, ready for tomorrow (it s almost 10pm, time to call it a day
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upside down pics, ready for tomorrow (it s almost 10pm, time to call it a day
Thank you for the compliments, lol they just keep comingHi Cat,
You're making great progress mate! Steaming along!
I'm really loving the simplistic (
Good luck with the panel build! You must be on the home stretch now?!
Yes, i am very much on a home stretch now (at least for the controls and the consoles) and I think this is coming to a closure within a week or so!! The decision to stop worrying and just carry on proved a good strategy. After all, if I were to make a bad choice i could simply start over since no money or customer is part of it. I am making loads of pictures, don't worry.
In the back of my mind i'm still trying to figure out how to mount the button pads and switch panels below the screens; Yet I'm confident that a solution will pop up in my mind one of these days.
Righthand console almost assembled. 3D printer is chewing out the last few bits. Coffee break well deservered (and required)
Leather check
Leather check
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Mate, your custom job just gets better and better; have to admit though, I think the right-hand console looks better pre-leather...but I fly a DBS so I kinda like nuts-and-bolts...and blutack
You may want to stock up on tissues, when that leather sits on the console neatly glued and next to the joystick, you need some to catch the drewl coming out of you mouth, haha.Mate, your custom job just gets better and better; have to admit though, I think the right-hand console looks better pre-leather...but I fly a DBS so I kinda like nuts-and-bolts...and blutack
(thanks, Jacob)
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