SimCENTER Hungary

CR-401 Driving Simulator Specifications
04/2011, rev 1.0*

Description
Base CR (CR = continuous rotation) platform.
The CR-401 has continuous yaw (360 degrees plus). The computers are on board, and there is no need for the control mast.

The 401 driving simulator provides four-axis motion: pitch, roll, yaw, and heave. The roll axis is located approximately at shoulder level in the driver’s plane of symmetry. The pitch axis is located perpendicular to the rider’s plane of symmetry but 10 cm (4 in) forward of the rider’s shoulders. The yaw axis is vertical and lies in the rider’s symmetry plane approximately 51 cm (20 in) forward of the rider’s shoulders (with seat in its furthest-back position).

The platform includes the seat, interlocked seat belt, interlocked doors, display screen and projector. Controls included are force feedback steering, brake, paddle shifters and throttle.

Electrical
(The 401 is equipped with an isolation transformer and may be used with the non-polarized outlets found in many parts of the world.)

**A thermal circuit breaker is necessary in the branch circuit supplying the machine because of high peak currents.

Safety Circuit
The 401 is equipped with a safety relay with guided, self checking contacts, software monitoring contacts, and a separate reset. It meets ANSI B11.19, EN418 and EN954-1 standards. Redundant power relays with monitor contacts prevent operation if contact welding occurs.

A rider accessible emergency stop switch is provided, as well as provision for a remote E-stop switch. If the machine is E-stopped it must be re-homed before operation can be resumed. In the emergency stop state all power is removed from the motors.

The seat belt and door both have interlocks that place the machine in a pause mode. Pause mode brings the servo motors to a controlled stop, applies the motor brakes, and disables the servo amplifiers. Operation can be resumed by simply removing the condition that caused the pause mode and pressing the green pause button located on the left-hand side of the steering column.

Working Envelope
The working envelope is for the simulator only. Space is also required for an operator’s console. We suggest the area needed for a small office desk for planning purposes. This area should be adjacent to the simulator to minimize cable lengths. The console is not provided as part of the base 401 package.

Safety Barrier
A safety barrier is needed around the machine. The 401 can move suddenly, and severely injure someone who is within the working envelope. A waist high fence located at least 4 feet away from the working envelope is strongly suggested. Alternatively, a barrier that is 244 cm (8 feet) high and does not have any openings that would allow hands or arms to pass through can be located within a few inches of the working envelope. Entry into the protected area should be through an interlocked door.
• A safety barrier is not supplied, and is the responsibility of the owner / operator! •

Construction

Struts
Strut tubes are case hardened steel guided by 4140 steel rollers that are fitted with sealed needle bearings. The strut tube is driven by an oversized ball screw whose large pitch and consequent slow rotation gives it a very long life. The servo motors are three-phase brushless permanent magnet motors fitted with a spring actuated brake and differential output incremental encoder. The motor drives the screw with a toothed belt.

Frame
The frame is a weldment fabricated from low-carbon steel and is finished with a textured polyester powder coating. Removable panels are attached with hardened thread forming screws. All aluminum parts are clear anodized or polyester powder coated.

Electrical
Electrical components are mounted in a subframe fabricated from Galvalume (55% Al-Zn coated sheet steel). This steel is corrosion resistant and allows excellent and reliable ground connections. All fan openings are covered with metal screens and the power connection is via a standard filtered and switched power entry module. A 25 ampere single pole thermal circuit breaker protects the circuit in case it is connected to an unfused power source.

Moving Group
The moving group consists of two major components, a yoke assembly that surrounds the rider on three sides and a spine that is formed from a three inch diameter tube which extends from the seat to the pedal attachment points. The yoke and spine are connected together with six rods, each of which has its ends threaded and fitted with Teflon lined spherical rod ends. This construction allows easy entrance and exit by the rider, but is light weight and stiff, reducing vibration to the lowest possible levels, as well as reducing inertia.

Projection Screen
The screen is a powder coated aluminum sheet surrounded by a steel frame. A neutral gray screen color was chosen to enhance contrast with brighter ambient light. The projection screen frame is held rigidly in place by a system of triangular braces. The steering assembly is attached to the projection screen frame.

Floor
It is recommended that the 401 AFE be mounted on a hard (not carpeted) floor. It can be bolted or mounted with adhesive.

Controls, Sound System & Display

Pedals
All three pedals are based on a rolling flexure design that provides a rising spring rate to approximate more accurately the feel of real pedals. The flexure drives a cermet element potentiometer via a small diameter aircraft cable that is arranged so that the side loads on the potentiometer shaft are canceled. The voltage signals generated by the potentiometer are passed through an active filter before being input to the Immersion Corporation digital processing board. The filtering removes most of the potentiometer wiper noise and other interference generated by the servo amplifiers.

Steering
The steering utilizes a large Permanent Magnet (brush) motor that is connected to the steering wheel with a 2:1 ratio. The result is substantial torque feedback. Unlike low cost game wheels that use a small motor and a large gear ratio, this steering wheel is robust and has a low reflected inertia, resulting in a more natural feel. The base steering wheel is 10.5 inches in diameter, has a smooth leather rim and two buttons. An optional six button wheel is available.

Sound System
The sound system is a Logitech Z-5500 five-way system that is integrated into the simulator. The screen is flanked by two speakers with one speaker located in the center top of the screen. Two speakers are located at shoulder height, just behind the rider. The subwoofer is housed in the base just below the rider. The remote control is plugged into the connection panel of the 401 that is located on the left rear of the machine base.

Video Display
The Optoma HD20 DLP projection display is improved over projectors in previous 301s, having substantially less screen-door effect.

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Brightness: 1700 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Lamp: 230W

Control and Game Computers
Because most customers prefer to purchase their own computer(s), they are not supplied as part of the driving simulator. The simulator is controlled by a Force Dynamics application running its own PC which receives input from the game computer on the same network. This application is unique for each game and game release. In situations where a separate operator (in addition to the rider) is not necessary, it is possible to run the control application on the game computer. Call us for details.




*The 401-AFE provides for rider safety only. Spectator safety is the responsibility of the owner/operator. See section above on Safety Barrier.

Force Dynamics CR-401 pictures

Force Dynamics CR-401 videos

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