[simpits-tech] F-16 Force Transducer Side Stick - Update....

[Matt Bailey]

Now this is very cool. I was wondering if this was practical for a PC
joystick device. You know, not just for F-16s but I think for other
planes this could be a lot more realistic. It would be easy to make a
lot of force required to move the controls, as opposed to typical
joysticks that have a fair amount of travel but not much resistance. How
difficult would it be for someone to buy the transducers and fit them to
an existing joystick?

	-Matt Bailey

Marv De Beque wrote:
> 
> As all of you may already know, I have been working on a genuine force
> transducer for the F-16.  Viper drivers have some good news coming.  ;-)
> 
> Today was a significant milestone in that project.  I got the first lab
> prototype transducer working.  I am still running experiments, but it looks
> quite promising.  Repeatability is approaching less than 2.5% with no signal
> conditioning.
> 
> What does this mean?  Well it proves concept that the force sensors I am
> using will measure pressure applied to a grip and resolve down 10 bits or 1
> out of 4096.
> 
> That translates into extremely accurate sensors for our application.
> 
> The transducer will allow a true no movement F-16 style joystick with the
> exact dimensions of the real side stick.
> 
> The first physical prototype will be completed later next week when my
> Cougar arrives.  Yes, Cougar.  The Cougar will be the first grip that I will
> offer direct support for.  So all you Cougar owners can adapt your grip to
> my base.
> 
> The side stick body will have the exact dimensions as the real thing.  You
> could bolt this up to a real F-16 and it would fit!  This means that you
> Viper drivers can have the same authentic look and feel as the real thing
> without sacrificing precious side console space or making extensions to your
> Cougar's shaft.  If you have seen my gauges you can imagine the way the base
> will look and feel.  No compromise to excellence here!
> 
> Speaking of feel, the base will require the same force applied to the grip
> as the real thing.  That is, 25 lbs. pull or push will give you full stick
> in each direction (front back).  10 lbs side to side will yield max roll.
> 
> The grip will have virtually zero movement.  Remember, the transducer
> measures actual force, not movement like a standard joystick.  This means
> that there are zero moving parts to wear out (like pots).
> 
> Hopefully, next week I can post some pictures.  I have a real F-16 grip and
> base that I can sit next to it and you'll agree that they are identical. ;-)
> 
> The base will be aluminum and carbon fiber composite.  It will have some
> weight to it.  You can mount it with the same mounting screws the real one
> has or you can use a large threaded hole in the bottom of the base (1/2-20
> threads) to bolt it to whatever.  I would recommend a sturdy platform since
> this side stick can handle LOTS of force.  You will want to mount it well.
> 
> More information as I progress.
> 
> Marv