Hi all,
Been poking around here for a little, reading all the stuff. Nice site - helped some, but I could still use your advice.
I am buying a business that has produced some specs for motion bases for simulators. In the past, they have been using aluminium sections riveted or bolted to create a horizontal platform. This in turn is connected to a series of electrical motors (3+, depending on the type of motion you want to create), which themselves in turn connect to controllers and ultimately a computer to drive the movements. The commonest use for all of this is for flying nuts like me to create their own full-motion simulators for flight simming.
The previous aluminium constructions were not very strong or capable of bearing much in weight. I would like to create a more rigid, strong and ultimately safer version. Although I would like to support weights of up to 300Kg, a more common platform will be fine at 150Kg to 200Kg. The smaller platforms would be of a size of around 1400mm x 1000mm, the larger a fair bit bigger (people like to build Boeing/Aibus cockpits on them!).
My feeling is that some form of welded steel box sections should fit the bill. Although I need something strong to hold the weight, I would like it as light as possible.
So, ultimately, my question is, what materials (steel? what type?) should I use for the construction, and how to join them, i.e. what type of welder and welding?
OK, I know, tall order. I am a realist, and know I have a long way to go, (like learning to weld for a start!) but any feedback would be helpful.
Also, as my local college does not seem to do welding courses, any experts in the Braintree, Essex area who would be willing to show me how to get started for a few sovs, most welcome!
Been poking around here for a little, reading all the stuff. Nice site - helped some, but I could still use your advice.
I am buying a business that has produced some specs for motion bases for simulators. In the past, they have been using aluminium sections riveted or bolted to create a horizontal platform. This in turn is connected to a series of electrical motors (3+, depending on the type of motion you want to create), which themselves in turn connect to controllers and ultimately a computer to drive the movements. The commonest use for all of this is for flying nuts like me to create their own full-motion simulators for flight simming.
The previous aluminium constructions were not very strong or capable of bearing much in weight. I would like to create a more rigid, strong and ultimately safer version. Although I would like to support weights of up to 300Kg, a more common platform will be fine at 150Kg to 200Kg. The smaller platforms would be of a size of around 1400mm x 1000mm, the larger a fair bit bigger (people like to build Boeing/Aibus cockpits on them!).
My feeling is that some form of welded steel box sections should fit the bill. Although I need something strong to hold the weight, I would like it as light as possible.
So, ultimately, my question is, what materials (steel? what type?) should I use for the construction, and how to join them, i.e. what type of welder and welding?
OK, I know, tall order. I am a realist, and know I have a long way to go, (like learning to weld for a start!) but any feedback would be helpful.
Also, as my local college does not seem to do welding courses, any experts in the Braintree, Essex area who would be willing to show me how to get started for a few sovs, most welcome!
