Mars’ cockpit

[Mars Attacks]

This is how combines with my desk (writing table) :

 

[Mars Attacks]

9 months ago I did a mod to my 911GT3RS wheel.
The problem was that the gear paddles on the wheel have gone far to loose and changing gears by mistake became too often.
So I add a small spring in the place (there is already formed a suited place) I show in the next slide show.

http://img190.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=porsche911gt3rsmodpic1.jpg

The problem solved and works better and more pleasant comparing even to the original ones!

The all operation isn't such an easy thing to do (because mainly of the dismantling of the wheel) so I don't suggest it for those who don't have the skills to do it.

(Maybe Fanatec would like to add this mod, it's easy and don't cost almost anything)

 

[ReptartMC]

Really loving your design man. I just finished my first attempt at a cockpit. This definitely gives me some ideas for improvement.

 

[Mars Attacks]

I was so thrilled when I first saw the PVC cockpits so I decided to build one (although I allready have a good one).
For now, my idea is still in draft but I hope to accomplish it in the coming months!
The cockpit will be fully adjustable (that's why looks so complicated) for all parameters: height, distance, angle, for the pedals the wheel, screen and chair.
Have a look to the sketches...
(Don't pay attention to the colors I apply to this model. I just wanted to visually separate some parts of the cockpit)

 

[the_greeze]

Looks interesting 👍 Although I used steel for mine, I quite like the PVC pipe approach. I think it offers a lot in terms of design and ease-of use (not a lot of specialist tools required and it's 'clean' too)

Can I ask what CAD program you run?

 

[Mars Attacks]

Looks interesting 👍 Although I used steel for mine, I quite like the PVC pipe approach. I think it offers a lot in terms of design and ease-of use (not a lot of specialist tools required and it's 'clean' too)

Can I ask what CAD program you run?

Thanks, I run the sketchUp (Google). It's a freeware!

 

[the_greeze]

That's what I suspected 👍 I'll send you a PM

 

[occasionalracer]

Really nice design Mars, as well as your previous design which I never saw before. Seems your PVC cockpit is definitely oriented towards Formula racing, or did you choose to do it for comfort reasons? The one thing I would do with an "all in one" rig like yours, is separate the monitor stand entirely from the cockpit. You will always have wobble and vibration travel right to monitor support, which is something that would bother me at least. You could easily build PVC stand that nicely sits on the ground, yet doesn't effect the overall footprint. Good if you want to mount some type of tactile unit to your seat as well down the road too.

 

[Mars Attacks]

Really nice design Mars, as well as your previous design which I never saw before. Seems your PVC cockpit is definitely oriented towards Formula racing, or did you choose to do it for comfort reasons? The one thing I would do with an "all in one" rig like yours, is separate the monitor stand entirely from the cockpit.

Hello occasionalracer! You make me really happy with your praise words.
I was oriented to the Formula racing because of the design, which always leads to impressive results (look at Playseat Redbull Racing F1) plus the fact that I was looking for a more comfortable seating position which will relief the tiredness and pain I get to my knees (and waist) during a prolonged period of driving.

About the monitor stand: you are right. It is unavoidable having some wobble when attaching the monitor to the cockpit. I just hope it wont be so annoying (because I prefer the compact design), other ways the separate monitor stand is the easy and secure solution.
I had a similar design, (you can see it below) which is capable to hold bigger monitors, but not a solid solution too...

By the way, the design looks more attractive if not encumbered by the possibility of inverting the pedals (minus also the monitor and console stand)

When I grow up I wanna be a....

 

[JogoAsobi]

I really like the way the rear of the seat has been lowered. Now I think a few strategically placed pivots on the 80/20 rig I am currently planning would allow adjustment between quasi-F1 style seating and normal upright seating positions.

I think pivots for the seat base and for the pedals would do the trick. Very nice sketches! Thank you for this.

 

[lemansfanatic]

I really like the way the rear of the seat has been lowered. Now I think a few strategically placed pivots on the 80/20 rig I am currently planning would allow adjustment between quasi-F1 style seating and normal upright seating positions.

I think pivots for the seat base and for the pedals would do the trick. Very nice sketches! Thank you for this.

I was thinking of implementing the exact same thing in my next build. A pivot at the front of the seat would allow the rear of the seat to angle flat or reclined for different types of racing.

 

[JogoAsobi]

I think the pedal angle would have to be adjustable via pivot too, and the wheel height and forward/back position adjustable too. I really lucked out, there is a fab shop I discovered near my place that is an 80/20 distributor, they have most of the stuff on site. Have you ever seen the linear bearings they have? Price is not that bad either.

Anyway back on topic, great stuff, thanks again for the graphics Mars Attacks!
I have been exposed to so many good ideas across this forum!

 

[Mars Attacks]

Hello JogoAsobi (I'm waiting also the CSW )!

I' m very glad you liked my graphics!

As I understand you are going to build a cockpit for your self, so I'll show you some details from my design, which maybe are going to help you about the adjustability of your construction.

Here is the material on which I've based my design:
(I've marked the part that will help me with the seat angle)

Here you can see all the main possible adjustments (which are based on a simple modification I did to the T connector, so the tube can slide inside) :

And here are the changes with the seat lifted:

And some details:

 

[Mars Attacks]

Another foldable idea:

see more photo here

 

[Mars Attacks]

So finally I started the construction of my new cockpit. It is a PVC cockpit reinforced at key points by wood. It's a very complex construction (it took me months to develop it) endowed to cover the full range of driving positions (normal to F1).
The wheel, pedals, gear shifter are able to move independently forward-backwards, up and down plus the possibility for angle changing for the wheel, seat and pedals set.
I'm having a small problem (for the moment) with my photo camera, I hope soon I'm going to show you soon some photos from the construction process!

For the moment here are some photos from the 3D model of the cockpit:

My intention was to build something orange - in pair to my GT3RS, but having in mind that is very possible to upgrade to an ClubSport Wheel, I preferred to use white instead of orange.
Here are the full up and down positions. Of course all the in between positions are possible! You can see here how it works.
(Unfortunately I have a big impediment because of the language but I promise many photos to follow)

 

[Mars Attacks]

You can watch here a slide show of some photo I took yesterday, showing the process till now.

I started with the top of the cockpit, which is essentially the system that manages the settings of the steering wheel (back and forth, up and down, angle).
I quote here some explanatory images of the 3D model to better understand what the slide show shows (last photos are about the system that supports the pedals) :

Wheel System:

Pedals System:

 

[Mars Attacks]

Finally, my PVC cockpit is completed (there are still some details that I need to solve)!
Soon I will place the steering wheel and pedals, and I will begin the settings to find the (my) perfect driving position!
(More pictures and conclusions after the adjustments and tests)

 

[Timppaq]

👍

It's not easy to design a fully adjustable rig (and I mean fully!), but you managed to do it

Good job 👍

 

[Mars Attacks]

👍

It's not easy to design a fully adjustable rig (and I mean fully!), but you managed to do it

Good job 👍

Thank you Timppaq.
Definitely It's not easy to design a fully adjustable rig and even more complicated becomes when you try to combine it with the good looking factor.

 

[michaeln]

Hi there Mars Attacks,
You used SketchUp software to design your cock pit in pvc . How did you make the elbows and pipe did you make them yourshelf or are they in the programs? If you made them can you please send me the files for them? Thanks Michael

 

[left888]

Looking good Mars. </thumbsup>

 

[Mars Attacks]

Looking good Mars. </thumbsup>

Thank you left888! Here are some photos from a new model I'm working on:

 

[Mars Attacks]

Hi there Mars Attacks,
You used SketchUp software to design your cock pit in pvc . How did you make the elbows and pipe did you make them yourshelf or are they in the programs? If you made them can you please send me the files for them? Thanks Michael

Hello michaeln,

check your emails! I have sent you a (fully capable) model to experiment with...

 

[Clarkalel]

Oh man those design looks sick, i would like to try making one of those. Currently working on Sloweddy's plans on a pvc wheel mount.

 

[Mars Attacks]

Oh man those design looks sick, i would like to try making one of those. Currently working on Sloweddy's plans on a pvc wheel mount.

Thanks!
It looks incredible, but it's fully functional! The only problem I'm dealing with, are some (many) squeaks, due to friction between moving parts. Some PVC fittings have been modified in such a way so they can slide in defined orbits to change the shape of the cockpit and the riding position - from the normal to F1 position.
I plan to make a video (when I'll manage to tame the animation of SketchUp), showing the transformations of the cockpit.

Sloweddy's pvc wheel mount looks quite satisfactory and easy to build, in case it fits you (the driving position).

Anyway, before applying glue to the PVC parts it would be wise to try to figure how well you fit in your construction. The best way is to build and test your model, first, in a 3D program. If you use SketchUp I could send you my dummy driver (+ the seat + wheel + pedals) to serve you in your measurements. He is 1.85m tall.

Good luck with your project:tup:!

(You can find SketchUp models of PVC fittings here and here)

 

[Mars Attacks]

Here is an 3D animation of my polymorphic PVC cockpit. (Unfortunately animation capabilities of SketchUp won't allow me to show smooth transitions between the 3 driving positions. I found a solution in a plug-in (proper animation) but for the moment my PC isn't capable to play the animation)

 

[Yuri256]

Here is an 3D animation of my polymorphic PVC cockpit. (Unfortunately animation capabilities of SketchUp won't allow me to show smooth transitions between the 3 driving positions. I found a solution in a plug-in (proper animation) but for the moment my PC isn't capable to play the animation)

Hi, have any measures? Width, height, depth?

If you have an assembly plan with measurements of the tubes would be great.

Nice job with the cockpit.