I'm making an Airbus sidestick replica. The hardest part is to mimic the feeling and the centering mechanism which sends the stick slowly and smoothly back to its neutral position, just like your joystick. In my case, I will be using those oil dampers used in RC carts, as they are small, adjustable and they include the spring
Have you considered using an induction based brake instead of oil dampeners in the dampening of the joystick? With some engineering, you could even control something like that in software, deactivating the dampening when moving away from center or towards center in a controlled way and strengthening the dampening when moving towards center faster than a given threshold.
Nice work there! however, I have to say that the F/A-18 throttle has a small detent in the afterburner that you can pass with a little extra push and not with the fingerlifts. The fingerlift detent is for the engines cutoffs only
I just used the hall sensor that is already at work in the Thrustmaster stick base. It senses deflection on a 2D field (X/Y) with just one sensor and one magnet.
I don't have the time currently to make a separate video of the MPCD but there are some pics and a bit of explanation on this page: bergisons.simpit.info/f18_mpcd. The case is CNC cut ABS, painted and then and engraved. I found the monitor on eBay for 50 €, it's a Orion RTV10 Security 10.4" LCD.
Hey man, that is a really awesome job you have done with modifying the existing warthog HOTAS to fit your F-18 simpit (which looks baller as well, by the way!). I really like the HOTAS 'stock' as well, but one thing that has always bothered me about it is that the included slew controller is pretty crap. Do you think it possible to replace it with a different control nub? The 3D printed solution that is out there is nice, but does not really address the crappiness of the hall sensor in the slew controller itself and thus does not fix the overall issue with controlability.
Hi Bergison, great work on the stick and throttle. It’s nice to see and hear about your ideas through the development. How do you like the pivot axis for roll being placed a good amount above the pitch axis? Does this help separate the axes? I guess diagonal stick movement would be slightly different from the ordinary gimbal joystick that most of us are used to. I obviously don’t know the reason why the original F-18 center stick was designed this way. I guess strength of the assembly would impact the design. Also, do your setup have greater centering force in the pitch axis than the roll axis? Thanks for sharing
Thanks Havard! I don't know the reasons for the original F-18 design either. However, the axes positions feel alright, one doesn't notice considerable differences to traditional stick movements after some time. I have equal centering force for both axes.
Thanks for your reply. I can imagine it won't make too big a difference. Looking at several other cockpit pictures I realize that most fighter planes have a similar design, pre fly-by-wire. The Sepecat Jaguar, as an example, seem to have a very short throw on the roll motion, almost like a column yoke.
I'm making an Airbus sidestick replica. The hardest part is to mimic the feeling and the centering mechanism which sends the stick slowly and smoothly back to its neutral position, just like your joystick. In my case, I will be using those oil dampers used in RC carts, as they are small, adjustable and they include the spring
That's AMAZING! You are one talented engineer! More videos please!
Have you considered using an induction based brake instead of oil dampeners in the dampening of the joystick?
With some engineering, you could even control something like that in software, deactivating the dampening when moving away from center or towards center in a controlled way and strengthening the dampening when moving towards center faster than a given threshold.
when a man decide to do somethimg, he relly did...congrats
Awesome work out there Bergison... I'm so impressed with the quality of your work...
Way to go mate
- Mickey
Insane build. Cant believe this is 5 years ago.
Great! You are set for the upcoming DCS F18!
Holy shit...you are an real good engineer
Thanks for your nice comments guys! I'm happy you like my work!
Fantastic work as always. Thanks for sharing.
Wow serious stuff you crafted !! WTG it s amazing
Nicely done! Very nice setup, joystick *and* your workshop! )
Nice work there!
however, I have to say that the F/A-18 throttle has a small detent in the afterburner that you can pass with a little extra push and not with the fingerlifts. The fingerlift detent is for the engines cutoffs only
Awesome.
what a great overview- feeling inspired!
How does the stick work with a single Hall sensor?
I just used the hall sensor that is already at work in the Thrustmaster stick base. It senses deflection on a 2D field (X/Y) with just one sensor and one magnet.
OK, dude this is like Amusement Park level scary...how much fun did you have making this? And the balls to turn a 400USD product into that.
Can you make a video about how you made the center MFD? :) Which display? Did you print the case & buttons?
I don't have the time currently to make a separate video of the MPCD but there are some pics and a bit of explanation on this page: bergisons.simpit.info/f18_mpcd. The case is CNC cut ABS, painted and then and engraved. I found the monitor on eBay for 50 €, it's a Orion RTV10 Security 10.4" LCD.
Holy shit, NICE JOB!!! Now I understand how you did it.... Nice CNC machine, btw.
Well done man, excellent stuff !
Impressive work
Hey man, that is a really awesome job you have done with modifying the existing warthog HOTAS to fit your F-18 simpit (which looks baller as well, by the way!). I really like the HOTAS 'stock' as well, but one thing that has always bothered me about it is that the included slew controller is pretty crap. Do you think it possible to replace it with a different control nub? The 3D printed solution that is out there is nice, but does not really address the crappiness of the hall sensor in the slew controller itself and thus does not fix the overall issue with controlability.
Thanks for your comment Nanne118! I have not had any issues with the slew controller so far, so I haven't (yet) tried to replace it.
Excellent. Very helpful thank you.
Very nice
Hi Bergison, great work on the stick and throttle.
It’s nice to see and hear about your ideas through the development.
How do you like the pivot axis for roll being placed a good amount above the pitch axis?
Does this help separate the axes? I guess diagonal stick movement would be slightly different from the ordinary gimbal joystick that most of us are used to.
I obviously don’t know the reason why the original F-18 center stick was designed this way. I guess strength of the assembly would impact the design.
Also, do your setup have greater centering force in the pitch axis than the roll axis?
Thanks for sharing
Thanks Havard! I don't know the reasons for the original F-18 design either. However, the axes positions feel alright, one doesn't notice considerable differences to traditional stick movements after some time. I have equal centering force for both axes.
Thanks for your reply. I can imagine it won't make too big a difference. Looking at several other cockpit pictures I realize that most fighter planes have a similar design, pre fly-by-wire. The Sepecat Jaguar, as an example, seem to have a very short throw on the roll motion, almost like a column yoke.
Would you consider building any equipment for people?
Hi John, it depends on what you're after. Contact me via email please: bergison@simpit.info Thx!
Wow dude!, Just wow
Super!)
Nice work, but I'm going to bet this guy is not married, or if he is then he doesn't see his wife all that often.
Or maybe there are two simpits and they both flight a mission ;) Let's push the envelope!
Terrible audio
And irritating annoying unnecessary background music 🙄
I HATED this video