How to build a 6 DOF steward motion platform simulator

1：The Composition of Simulator System
The simulator system is composed of Stewart multi-degree of freedom motion platform, computer control system, motor drive system, etc.. The bottom platform is fixed on the ground and the top platform is for supporting the load.

The computer control system is programmed to control the stroke and speed of the electric linear actuators to realize the multi-degree of freedom movement of the motion platform in three-dimensional space. Specifically, the motion platform is free to change position as forward/backward (surge), up/down (heave), left/right (sway) translation in three perpendicular axes, combined with changes in orientation through rotation about three perpendicular axes, often termed yaw (normal axis), pitch (transverse axis), and roll (longitudinal axis).

A brief description of the major composition:
1）Motion Platform
The upper platform connects to the simulated mechanism such as the cockpit, driving seat or flight cabinet,etc.
As for the mounting accessories, universal joint are most commonly used as it allows for up to 30 degree rotation. The upper articulated universal joint connects the top platform to the piston rod of the electric cylinders and the lower articulated universal joint connects the fixed bottom base to the cylinder housing. The stroke,speed and the whole load capacity of the platform can be customized based on customers’ requirements.

The bottom platform is mounted to the floor for fixating propose.

2）The hardware of computer control system
The motion control unit: Applying the servo control unit which involves motor driver as the motion signal receiver to realize the start and pause of the whole motion platform.

Moreover, it receives the control signal sent by host computer, controls the motion of electric cylinders, monitors the servo motor driver and the motion of the whole control system, processes the malfunction as well as safety protection.

The signal process unit: to process all sensors’ signal that related to the whole motion platform system, testing signal and the digital I/O signal as well as driving of the servo driver.

Here we use a whole set of the control system,which we can provide if customers require.

3）The control software

As for the the motion control computer software, there are motion control software and logic control software included, which can be controlled by simply connecting to a computer.

For those who intends to build an entertaining multi-degree of freedom platform, the game player’s action can be captured by a purchased game software . What’s more, the action signal will be sent to the controller connected to the electric cylinder to make the driver actuates the electric cylinders for extension and retraction, which can realize vivid simulation.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_freedom