Force Feedback Joystick

Posted by: @sliput

 (I don't see a way to attach photo's to this post, please let me know if I am missing it and I will happily upload a couple).

See Attach Files below your post?

To enlarge an image, right click image and choose Open link in new window.

Posted by: @sliput

I don't see a way to attach photo's to this post, please let me know if I am missing it and I will happily upload a couple

It is also a matter of how many posts you've done to the forum.  2 ain't enough.  I want to think it is 10.

Posted by: @sliput

Hello,

I am trying to build an Arduino based joystick which incorporates force feedback to use with video games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.  I have 3D printed the base of a gimbal joystick with servo motors controlling the x and y axis, to which I have added an analog feedback wire. (I don't see a way to attach photo's to this post, please let me know if I am missing it and I will happily upload a couple).  I built the base of the joystick assuming this would be a relatively easy topic to find programming info on, however almost all info I find is for force feedback steering wheels.  If someone can either help me with the code, or point me to a resource I would be most grateful.

 

Scott

Now that I've actually read the post... 😆 Here are some thoughts...

Forced feedback is not trivial.  And servos... used to restrict someone's hand motions when they REALLY want to do a hard roll maneuver is ONLY going to result in busting every gear in the servo.  You need something that will cause resistance... BUT, will give up when the user says, "I don't give a $#!+ about what YOU want me to do, I want to do THIS!"  I suggest you do it based on stepper motors... they can offer significant "resistance", but when forced to turn against their will, they will not be damaged.

VBR,

Inq

P.S. - Although I am old as the hills, I was an avid user of earlier versions of Flight Simulator and used forced feed-back steering on "Grand Turisimo".  

@sliput If the examples you are finding are wheels, you just need to translate from wheel to joystick. The number of sensors is probably the same, it's just that the labels attached are different. It may be beneficial to search on that kind of wording, or get the specs for both devices and create your own translation, or I would imagine there is an API you might use.

@sliput

A quick google?

https://github.com/YukMingLaw/ArduinoJoystickWithFFBLibrary

@robotbuilder Oh, for some reason I didn't see this one when I googled.  Thanks for the info.

Ok, I see an option to attache files now, I don't think this was there when I first posted.  I have attached a couple picks of the gimbal mechanism, just for reference.  Thanks everyone for the feedback so far.

@sliput I suspect you are new, so make sure you understand how to properly install the library otherwise your next post will be about why nothing works.

https://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v1/tutorials/installing-libraries

You will need to follow the Sketch/Include Library/Add .ZIP library

You get the zip library by clicking the green button on Github, then clicking the last line Download ZIP

@zander thanks for looking out Ron

@sliput I don't know your experience level so thought I would head off another library fuss up in case you are a newbie.