This is a remake of Mabo's FFB Joystick for 3D printing, with several enhancements from the protomaker's version as well.
Changes from Mambo's design:
- The gimbal is redesigned to minimize support material and optimize mating surfaces for fitment.
- 72 Tooth pulley used for 6:1 gear ratio
- Shell adjusted for 3D printing
Changes from Protomaker's design:
- Heat-set threaded inserts are used anywhere where a screw is used to fasten two printed parts.
- Single pot similar to Rhino
- No top panel cover
- Fan grate incorporated into case
- XT60 connector for power supply
This design is nearly zero original work from me. All critical dimensions and ratios came from the original designers. I just cleaned up some CAD work and injected some of my preferences for 3D printing. Original authors are listed below:
- walmis - Electronics, firmware, and original base design.
- mabo - Expanded base design, including full gimbal.
- protomaker - Modification for 3D printing and refinements
- I want to create a two-part stick adapter that uses metal tubing to allow people to select their own stick length. (Similar to the official VPRhino design by walmis)
- No throw limiters (I don't use one so didn't add it). Base has 22 degrees in all directions the same as the Rhino.
- Boot clamp has not been tested yet. Design changes may be necessary.
- CAD Still has a control board mount for under the gimbal, but there is not enough space to connect power wires in that location.
- Stick connector is designed for Thrustmaster replacement parts; I would like to create a version that will work for the MD-50PL100. The stick connector from protomaker and mabo should be compatible, but I have not tested this.
- Optimize for screw types. There are a few places where we could eliminate screw variations (ex: bearing retainers vs case screws).
- Internal bearing retainer nuts are a pain, especially once motors are installed. Switch them to a captive nut.
Both STEP and Fusion 360 files can be found in the CAD directory.
All STLs are in print orientation and should be able to be directly inserted and arranged in your slicer. I printed all my parts in polymaker PLA Pro with a .2mm layer height using voron part specs (4 walls and 45% grid infill). Adapt as necessary to your printer and filament.
| File | Qty | Support | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| gimbal_arm_x2 | 2 | Build Plate Only | Gimbal Arms |
| gimbal_pillow_x4 | 4 | Build Plate Only | Gimbal Pillow Blocks |
| gimbal_core | 1 | Build Plate Only | Gimbal Core Joint |
| gimbal_stick | 1 | Build Plate Only | Gimbal Stick Connector |
| ext_bearing_retainer_x3 | 3 | None | Exterior Bearing Retainers |
| int_bearing_retainer_x8 | 8 | None | Interior Bearing Retainers |
| control_mount_retainer | 1 | None | Control Mount / Bearing retainer |
| case_rear | 1 | None | Rear Case Plate (Roll Drive) |
| case_right | 1 | None | Right Case Plate (Pitch Drive) |
| case_mid | 1 | None | Mid Case Plate (Roll Bearing / Control Mount) |
| case_front | 1 | None | Front Case Plate (Fan) |
| case_left | 1 | None | Left Case Plate (Pitch Bearing) |
| case_top | 1 | None | Case Top Plate |
| case_bottom | 1 | None | Bottom Case Plate |
| pulley_gimbal | 1 | 72 Tooth Gimbal Pulley | |
| pulley_motor | None | 12 Tooth Motor Pulley (Optional if you don't want to buy metal pulley) | |
| jig_center_x2 | 2 | Centering Jig for initial assembly and calibration | |
| boot_clamp_lower | 1 | Lower Boot Clamp | |
| boot_clamp_upper | 1 | Upper Boot Clamp | |
| boot_clamp_ring | 1 | Boot Clamp Ring for Stick Connector |
Where possible, all hardware has a McMaster Part # to help indicate correct specifications. When I didn't already have the parts in stock from old projects, I linked my actual source for them in the description.
| Qty | McMaster | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4668K271 | 6808-2RS Bearings | Large Pulley Bearings |
| 8 | 5972k277 | 6802-2RS Bearings | Gimbal Bearings |
| 2 | 57155k579 | F625ZZ Bearings | Stick Adatper Bearings |
| 20 | 94459A150 | M4 Threaded Inserts | Gimbal Screws |
| 10 | 92095A192 | M4 x 12 Button Head Screw | Pulley Screws |
| 4 | 91100A313 | 19mm Washer | Gimbal Washers |
| 12 | 91292A122 | M4 x 25 Socket Head Screw | Large Pulleys |
| 3 | 98689A114 | M5 Washer (Stock) | Gimbal Core Joint / Stick Adatper |
| 2 | 90591A260 | M5 Nut (Stock) | Gimbal Core Joint / Stick Adatper |
| 1 | 91290A199 | M5 x 60 Socket Head Screw (Stock) | Gimbal Core Joint |
| 52 | 94459A130 | M3 Threaded Inserts | Case, USB Bracket, Control Board Mount, Stick Connector |
| 44 | 91263A825 | M3 x 12 Flat Head Screw | Case Screws, add two more if using printed motor pulleys |
| 2 | 92095A183 | M3 x 12 Button Head Screw (Stock) | USB Bracket Screws |
| 12 | 92095A119 | M3 x 15 Button Head Screw (Stock) | Pulley Bearing Retainer Screws |
| 12 | 90591A250 | M3 Nut (Stock) | Pulley Bearing Retainer Nuts |
| 4 | 92095A177 | M3 x 5 Button Head Screws (Stock) | Control Board Screws |
| 8 | M6 x 15 Slim Socket Head Screw | Motor Mounts | |
| 2 | M2.5 x 10 Flat Head Screw (Stock) | Power Connector Mount | |
| 2 | M3 x 6 Grub Screw | Motor Pulley Screw for 3D Printed Pulley | |
| 2 | 5M-12T-16W Pulley | Motor Pulley - 3D printed version is optional as well | |
| 1 | 465mm long HTD 5M-15W Belt | Pitch Belt | |
| 1 | 415mm long HTD 5M-15W Belt | Roll Belt | |
| 1 | 5 Pin Mini Din Connector (Stock) | Stick connector - I used replacement parts from Thrustmaster for a Warthog stick that I bought a long time ago. | |
| 1 | 80mm Case Fan | Parts designed to use standard PC fan screws which are included with this fan. | |
| 1 | E-Stop Switch | ||
| 1 | 10k Type B Linear Potentiometer | ||
| 1 | XT60E-M Connector |
Since this is a very close derivative of protmakers work his assembly guide should be enough to figure out how to build using these parts.