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Documents DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control -- Episode 440
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  • Author Author: tariq.ahmad
  • Date Created: 1 Apr 2020 8:47 PM Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated: 3 Apr 2020 7:24 AM
  • Views 31856 views
  • Likes 15 likes
  • Comments 139 comments

DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control -- Episode 440

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I love to fly in simulators, especially helicopters. But, there is just not an affordable collective control that I have found, so I decided to make one for myself! I am going to build a joystick using an Arduino Micro, with a bunch of buttons for assignable controls and a high quality encoder for the collective axis.

Supplemental Content:

  • Download Code from Github
  • View Model and download 3d Cad files

 

Also you can watch the live Twitch recording about this build: element14 Presents Live Twitch Stream: DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control

Bill of Material:

Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit
BOURNS Absolute Rotary Encoder, 120 rpm, 128 PPR, EAW Series BOURNS 1 Buy Now
ARDUINO Development Board, Arduino Micro, ATmega32U4 MCU, 20 3.3V I/O, 12 Analogue Inputs, ISCP Header ARDUINO 1 Buy Now
ITW SWITCHES Pushbutton Switch, Industrial, 59 Series, 13.6 mm, SPST-NO-DB, Momentary, Square ITW SWITCHES 1 Buy Now
ITW SWITCHES Pushbutton Switch, Industrial, 59 Series, 13.6 mm, SPST-NO-DB, Momentary, Square ITW SWITCHES 1 Buy Now
ITW SWITCHES Pushbutton Switch, Industrial, 59 Series, 13.6 mm, SPST-NO-DB, Momentary, Round ITW SWITCHES 1 Buy Now
ITW SWITCHES Pushbutton Switch, Industrial, 59 Series, 13.6 mm, SPST-NO-DB, Momentary, Round ITW SWITCHES 1 Buy Now
C & K COMPONENTS SWITCH, SPDT, 5A, 120VAC C & K COMPONENTS 3 Buy Now
BOURNS Incremental Rotary Encoder, Pro Audio, Continuous. 24 Detents, 24 Pulses, Quadrature Output BOURNS 1 Buy Now

 

Additional Parts:

 

Product Name

5 Way Momentary Square SMD Tactitle Switch

M3x5x2 Square Nuts

8mm Bore Diameter ball mounted pillow blocks

T6 Seamless Aluminum Round Straight Tubing 16 Gauge 1-3/8" OD

Attachments:
HelicopterCollective_Resources.zip
image
DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control

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Top Comments

  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago +5
    One good project, it's one project that you can modify So I changed my mind, I use now one hall sensor AS5048a with 14-bit resolution ( Best resolution and linerality ) I changed too, the place of friction…
  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to benaim +4
    Pictures coming, better later than never So I used on SS495a, and to have one big range of value for "only" 45° of move, I done one adapter with 2 magnets. With this I have near 0 to 5 Volts on SS495a…
  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to KalebTheMaker +3
    Just received my two Bore Diameter ball So, now I can continue this project Kaleb, Thanks for sending a diagram to all followers I don't need because, I changed somethings, for example angle sensor and…
  • samern
    samern over 5 years ago

    KalebTheMaker I can't seem to get Fusion 360 to give me those files.  The link above gives me the web rendering, but even with a copy of F360 on my machine I can't seem to get to the design.  Can I get some hints on what I am missing here or whether you have the STLs located somewhere else?  Have you given any thought to a twist throttle for your collective?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Samer

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  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to fcaballerog

    The best is to ask your questions here, so everyone benefits image

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  • fcaballerog
    fcaballerog over 5 years ago in reply to benaim

    Buenos días Philippe MousKitos mi nombre es Francisco soy de España Gran Canarias y he visto lo que has montado, quiero montarlo estoy esperando los componentes pero me gustaría hacerte unas preguntas.

     

     

     

     

     

    Muchas gracias

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  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to gamesharkster1

    If you want to make any changes, I think the best way is to put all the STLs in your modeler (for me Blender), and place everything in the 3D world.

     

    Do not try to modify the originals of the STL but create your own, it is also more rewarding.image

     

    Tip: Pay attention to the size of the holes, metric and imperial are different image

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  • gamesharkster1
    gamesharkster1 over 5 years ago

    Good afternoon everyone! I'm attempting my first Diy flight sim built, and I really enjoy the robustness of this design. I'd like to make a few personal tweaks, but I can't seem to figure out how to download the fusion files from the viewer. The .stl files are fine, but a few of them are out of date compared to the fusion model. It also doesn't help that .stl files are notoriously hard to work with for modifying geometry. Can I get some help on this please? Thanks!! Once I make my tweaks I'll be sure to upload my version here!

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  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to KalebTheMaker

    Thanks to you Kaleb to help me to depass my limits  :-)

    I hope that my new post, decide many people to do more, and share mods here  ;-)

     

    Of course, I will send here, if this (your) project change...

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  • KalebTheMaker
    KalebTheMaker over 5 years ago in reply to benaim

    That is awesome! Very well done!

     

    Great example of a second iteration through this project. Thank you for sharing Philippe! And please keep us up to date if you make more changes.

     

    -Kaleb

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  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago

    One good project, it's one project that you can modify  image

     

    So I changed my mind, I use now one hall sensor AS5048a with 14-bit resolution image ( Best resolution and linerality )

     

    I changed too, the place of friction, rotated of 90°,  it's now near of chair , And much less twist on the support image

     

    And for finish, I put all electronic in the tube ( now in carbon ) image

     

    Here some pictures of my new collective and the idea of the new friction image

     

    imageimage

    image

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  • dnl40
    dnl40 over 5 years ago in reply to benaim

    That is awsome Philippe, thanks. I am low on cash for now but in a couple of months I will be beginning to buy parts, (for now i am just doing the pricing). If during the construction phase i get stuck I hope is ok to give you a shout out with a question or two jejejeje. Thanks again!

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  • benaim
    benaim over 5 years ago in reply to mrpomme

    The ( hot) glue is only to fix wires image and the SS495a...

    You can find the code for double magnet below this post.

    If you want my STL of magnets support send me your email

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