My DG spaceship

[BHawthorne]

Yep, the hardware isn't that expensive. The expense part is the time you invest into a build. Also expect not to get everything right the first or even the second try on many parts. I like building things, so this type of hobby is ideal for me. It's fun coming up with solutions to unique build problems and taking raw building materials and turning them into something. The computer parts of the simpit aren't all that expensive overall. For example I have access to a surplus store where I can get 21" 1920x1440 CRT displays for $5-10 each. I can make a very complex glass cockpit if I wanted to from CRTs on the cheap. Also I buy most of my switches and misc items on eBay. You can do a lot with little expense if you plan it out well. I would only suggest you build a simpit if you have as much fun building it as flying it. This is a hobby that takes a lot of time and patience. If you are ok with that, it can be great fun though.

 

[Talon1]

Damn!!! Thats awsome!!!!:lol:
(This also shows your extremely adicted to orbiter)

 

[tonykattvc]

Now all it needs are xenon plasma-fired uranium quadroxide engines. (yes i made that up!)

THAT THING IS:speakcool:

 

[lockingtoggle]

One more panel.

On the CNC.

Finished

Painted

Labels laser printed

Cutted

The panel with the switches (still need to make the labels for the lighted pushbuttons)

In the DG

Also made the plate for the stick

 

[BHawthorne]

Cool CNC router setup. What are your specs on it?

What type of bits are you using on the plexi? I've only used small center drills for etching so far in my test milling pieces.

 

[alrik]

¿How are you going to insert orbiter in all those screens/displays?

 

[BHawthorne]

¿How are you going to insert orbiter in all those screens/displays?

That's easy. Each MFD gets it's own screen and windows can push as many screens as you have video card ports.

For example, the computer I'm on at the moment has 4 Geforce 8800 PCIe cards and a TH2G for a total of 10 video outs. I use this machine as a folding@home GPU farm.

 

[yagni01]

That's easy. Each MFD gets it's own screen and windows can push as many screens as you have video card ports.

Not to mention TH2G, MaxiVista, and the new remote MFDs on the drawing board. Never enough screen real estate

And when the next gen graphics come out, whoo hoo!

 

[Spicer]

Do you have cupholders for a few beers while playing a game?

 

[lockingtoggle]

Cool CNC router setup. What are your specs on it?
What type of bits are you using on the plexi? I've only used small center drills for etching so far in my test milling pieces.

The router can do 40x50 cm max and that only on soft materials like plexy wood and so on. I use 2.4mm bit, which actualy turned out to be 2mm thats why the work is a bit messy.

Do you have cupholders for a few beers while playing a game?

The plan is to deliver the beer through the oxygen system, with a pipe

 

[Hielor]

Where did you get the buttons that you've got hooked up to the MFDs? I've looked around online briefly and can't seem to find anything similar.

 

[lockingtoggle]

Found them at a local store. Here the ref http://www.velleman.be/ot/en/product/view/?id=14211

 

[BHawthorne]

I didn't initially notice, but I saw in your pics that you do the panels all as one piece of plexi instead of individual panels and backplates. I like that idea. Makes for an easier setup to handle when doing maintenance. With real mil panels like that each one is seperate and has seperate backplate material. I might use your idea to simplify my designs a bit. :speakcool:

I like the idea of just milling one big piece of plexi for the MIP and the left and right aux panels making for only 3 pieces of plexi needed for a typical simpit build. My thought process on my simpit builds have been mostly concerned about duplicating the mil spec instead of thinking easy maintenance. I like your way of doing it better.

 

[Hielor]

Found them at a local store. Here the ref http://www.velleman.be/ot/en/product/view/?id=14211

Annoyingly, those apparently aren't available in the US. In order to get something comparable it looks like I'll have to spend like $4 per switch? Not gonna happen--I think I'll get the small, cheap kind and glue (or whatever) a standard keyboard key (painted black or red) to the top...

 

[James.Denholm]

That's one sweet looking setup! How much did that CNC thingy cost?

Good luck with the wiring and the software side of things, I can't imagine that wiring up all the buttons to do the stuff will be easy.

 

[lockingtoggle]

I didn't initially notice, but I saw in your pics that you do the panels all as one piece of plexi instead of individual panels and backplates.

Yes, that way they look cool and aren't a pain to make and mount. But still you should avoid to make them to big. For the MFDs I had to use an aluminium back plate, and that costs a lot.

Annoyingly, those apparently aren't available in the US. In order to get something comparable it looks like I'll have to spend like $4 per switch? Not gonna happen--I think I'll get the small, cheap kind and glue (or whatever) a standard keyboard key (painted black or red) to the top...

They were 1.5 euro each, if I remember well. Give me a bit of time to check at the store and get the precise price, than you can decide.
One more thing to check is Product ID: 700622-I5 at http://www.conrad-international.com/ and than http://www.jaccovanschaik.net/?page_id=23

That's one sweet looking setup! How much did that CNC thingy cost?

Good luck with the wiring and the software side of things, I can't imagine that wiring up all the buttons to do the stuff will be easy.

The CNC isn't mine, but I think it was around 7k.
Yes the wiring is going to take a lot of patience

 

[HiPotOk1978]

looks like the cockpit seats 2, mind if I come over and take her for a spin when u get done?

 

[James.Denholm]

The CNC isn't mine, but I think it was around 7k.

Do you know if it's insured?

*puts on old-school robber mask*

 

[lockingtoggle]

looks like the cockpit seats 2, mind if I come over and take her for a spin when u get done?

It has two seats and two joysticks. The problem I faced was how to have two joysticks connected on the same functions. If both pilots would move the joysticks in the same time it would be a mess. The only solution I found was this ....

 

[BHawthorne]

Do you know if it's insured?

*puts on old-school robber mask*

Check out www.cnczone.com. Tons of CNC milling help. A lot of home built CNC routers on the cheap there too. Lots cheaper than $7k.