Build this Joystick!

Now available:
 Sheet metal parts

Introduction. The instruction includes 2 variants of the joystick; with and without display. The version without display is of course
cheaper and more easy to build. There are also options on the appearance, the top sheet metal plate is available in three variants.
A detailed description of mechanics, electrics, function and programming will be found further down.

Here is first a brief description:


This is a joystick based on accelerometers. The principle is to use the earth gravity field to monitor the position of the hand controls.
To cancel out the effect of tilting the whole box a third accelerometer is attached to the box. The signal from this is subtracted from the
accelerometers attached to the controls.

Film. Here is a film sequence showing some action with the joystick!

Data is gathered by the use of two 8 channel ad converters. The process is controlled with means of the Parallax propeller
microprocessor.

Here is an inside view, the control seen from below. One card is dismounted. The two accelerometers hung on controls are
seen (small cards with print X,Y,Z on them).

Rubber bands are used to position the control sticks in neutral position. They are held by 2 free standing columns and a
sheet metal part.

Another view. The parallax card with the microprocessor is seen in the center (blue color). The card is mounted
on a plate at some distance from the top panel. Batteries for driving the display are seen at left and right.


Bill of materials. The last column indicates if the item is needed for the simple version.

Item

Make

Info

Designation

Amount

Ca price

Simple

Box

Hammond HD

107X167X65mm

1594EBK

1

13$

*

Accelerometer

Polulo/Memsic

Break out board

MMA7260QT

3

13$

*

AD-converter

Microchip

8 channel

MCP3208-CI/P

2

6.50$

*

IC holder

16 pin DIL

2

*

Protoboard

Parallax

#32212

1

25$

*

Display

Parallax

4 X 20 characters

#27979

1

Extension cable

Parallax

3 part

805-00012

5 or 8

3$

5 p.c.

Resistor

180 Ohm

1

*

Resistor

2.2k

2

*

Resistor

10k

2

*

Resistor

22k X 8 SIL package

2

0.50$

Resistor

22k

2

LED

Typical 10-30mA

1

1$

*

Diode

Low voltage drop typical 1V switch diode

1

0.30$

Capacitor

0.1uF

2

0.50$

*

Wire

Typical jump wire kit

*

Battery holder

3 X AAA batteries

1

1.50$

*

Battery holder

2 X AA batteries

2

1.50$

Switch

Taiway

On-off-on

1-3

5$

1 p.c.

Switch

Taiway

On-off-on 2 pole.

1

5$

Switch

Taiway

(On)-off-(on)

5

5$

Connector

4 wire

1

XXX

*

Ball joint

ASKUBAL

22mm

G 10

2

11$

*


This is totally about 190$ for the full version. Out of this price the two ball joints represents more than 22$. If you want to try to
reduce this look around and you may find something else with the same function, maybe some surplus material from other area
(car stock, mc etc).

The box is very nice being a heavy duty type so it has nice thick walls. But it actually is a little to small. You have to be very careful
to get everything into it. So a somewhat bigger box would be beautiful. The best had been the same type of box but bigger.
However this is the biggest model of that type. I have made a sheet metal kit that will fit in the box. Of course the kit can also be
used for a bigger box.

Detailed descriptions:

                               

      Electrics                  Mechanics              Function and code.

 

The device has been tested several times with the submarine in a lake. It performs pretty well and gives good control of the submarine.

I wish You good luck building this joystick!

Johan

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