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A340 Throttle quadrant project
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
WOW!! Very nice congrats!!! Amazing craftsmanship!!
Regards,
Roberto
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Gwyn just amazing. I love the real look of them. I will have to try and do a little duplication and see if I can get a set made for my self. Excellent work.
Just one question? Is it acrylic that you used for the parts?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
totalflyer
Gwyn just amazing. I love the real look of them. I will have to try and do a little duplication and see if I can get a set made for my self. Excellent work.
Just one question? Is it acrylic that you used for the parts?
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I use 6mm PVC sheeting called "Trovidur", it's quite easy to machine and work with. It's really quite heavy so the finished parts have a real solid feel about them. I use Loctite 424 to glue parts together, it goes off in seconds and produces a very strong weld. All of these parts were made with a bandsaw, a router, a drill press and a Dremel. (Oh and the lathe for the knobs!) I cut my patterns from 3mm aluminium and then use a laminex trimmer tool in the router to reproduce the shapes, this keeps the top parts of the 12 main lever pieces the same size and shape.
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dodiano
WOW!! Very nice congrats!!! Amazing craftsmanship!!
Regards,
Roberto
Thanks mate, don't tell anyone I'm buying a throttle from you lol!!!!!
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Your the King of throttles Gwyn!
Joe
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Just wondering when you go to connect them how are you going to do it?
Will they be USB or through another form of connection?
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
totalflyer
Just wondering when you go to connect them how are you going to do it?
Will they be USB or through another form of connection?
I supply my throttles with all the potentiometer drives and switches in place with wiring to terminal blocks. Typically I aim for driving the lever pots through about 240 degrees, this gives a smooth span which is easy to calibrate. (I have only ever used FDT Simboards and they have given me 3 years of excellent performance in my sim). The end user can hook my TQ's up to Open Cockpit/BUO386/SimBoards whatever interface they like just using a small screwdriver. I don't really make plug'n'play because the electronics is a it out of my field. Mechanically my TQs are built tough and should provide years of trouble free service. I use PVC, aluminium and stailnless steel in construction, there are no parts that can corrode. The Spitfire flight controls I made for member "Tony Hill" were plug'n'play because I used a hacked Microsoft Sidewinder joystick for interface, we had a good 2 or 3 hours "testing" them, it worked a treat! It's pretty easy to do for single engine sims.
This is the pot drive on my A320TQ design
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...0630TQ0005.JPG
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Really nice,
I'm working on my 727 quad also.
amazing work really like those levers.
Stijn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Amazing Gwyn, fantastic ingenuity!!!!!!!
Thanks for the update :) :) :)
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Thanks guys, great feedback is always encouraging!
The proud owner of this TQ is going to fly to Perth from Thailand to collect it in a few weeks time. This will be another TQ I won't want to part with!
Next on the list is a B747 TQ for another MC member here in Perth. We both have CNC machines and we are teaming up to produce his and a few extra B747 TQs to sell. The plan is to convert my drawings to CAD which I am slowly making progress with and then we will both produce the components for assembly.
My new CNC machine is fantastic to watch in action and I've been practicing quite a bit, the Mach 3 software is awesome. I have purchased "Involute" gear cutting software and can now make gears for the TQ lever/potentiometer drives. This will be simpler than the current cable drive method and will be easier to set up. I can now offer plastic gears made to order, any size and ratio.
Matt - I listened to your MC.org & the A2A podcasts yesterday - great stuff, well done! I haven't received your A340TQ order yet!!!;););)
Cheers, Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
so how much does one of these TQ go for? they look very impressive. Also they are full scaled it seems, can you also make them to a different scale?
best regards
Philip Jensen
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pvjen1
so how much does one of these TQ go for? they look very impressive. Also they are full scaled it seems, can you also make them to a different scale?
best regards
Philip Jensen
Hi Philip,
I specialise in 'custom order', I can build any type of TQ or cockpit component scaled to any size determined by the customer's requirements. I avoid duplicating components already available from other vendors such as the excellent B737 TQ offered by Throttletek. This A340 unit is scaled to fit the customer's already existing centre pedestal which is pretty much full scale in this case. My TQs are priced between AUD$3000 - AUD$3500 dependent on complexity, most take approximately 70 hours to build. My TQs are quite heavy machines weighing approximately 15kgs each and they are built tough to last!
Regards, Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
WOW!! Simply amazing craftmanship
Congrats on the good work :D
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
I cut out these pieces for the switch guard on the cnc mill last night and glued it together. I just need to make the trim wheels and the top cover plates and it's ready for painting.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...A340TQ_023.jpg
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
LOOKS SOOOOOO GOOOOD Gwyn :) :) :) :) What a teaser :) :) :) :)
More, more, more.......
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
I'm so pleased to have completed the trim wheels today, they are always a bit awkward to machine up. They are made from three pieces of 12mm and one piece of 6mm PVC glued together then machined, the new lathe made it a lot easier than the old smaller lathe. The reduction gear drive is for turning the trim indicators that I haven't made yet, they are going to be a bit tricky as they are located on the outside of the wheels - nasty business, sacre bleur!!! I think this TQ will be ready in a week then I'll be making a few B747TQs before returning to work on my own sim in mid February, I'm looking forward to that big time!
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...ium/TQ_004.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...ium/TQ_002.JPG
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
I am sooooooooooo drooling...................
:)
Are there going to be detents on this unit?
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Matt Olieman
I am sooooooooooo drooling...................
:)
Are there going to be detents on this unit?
Hi Matt,
The detents are already installed!
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...A340TQ_018.jpg
The flat plate contains 5/16" ball bearings with springs behind them. The four stainless bolts apply load to the springs and there are three notches in each lever for CLB, FLX & TOGA. It works great and much better than I had hoped for.
In this pic you can see the notches on the back of the levers.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d.../A340TQ_11.jpg
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Gwyn you always amaze me the way you build sim parts, this is fantastic, nice work Gwyn :) :) :)
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
More progress, it's getting close to finished!
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...A340TQ_026.JPG
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...A340TQ_027.JPG
This is the trim drive gear train, I still have to decrease the final drive ratio to 1:1 because I made an error and the indicator turns too slowly. I will mount a potentiometer on the trim indicator wheel to transmit trim commands to FS. There is also a reduction gear drive on the near side wheel so a motor can be fitted to drive the trim wheels.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/d...A340TQ_028.JPG
This pic is of progress on Christmas Day, the owner is flying to Perth from Thailand to collect it in mid February, he will be staying with me and I'll be able to show him my 737 sim.
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
I'm beyond words..... WOW!!!!
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Matt Olieman
I'm beyond words..... WOW!!!!
Thanks Matt,
I could always hand over your TQ unit at the next Leylstad convention hehe!! I start CAD lessons next week and progress should soar from then on. The CNC machine is absolutely wonderful and really cutting down the effort on the quads.
On this quad, my customer has asked for independent microswitches on the CLB, FLX & TOGA positions so that's the next challenge but this quad should be ready in a week. I will make a video of it for Youtube as I have just bought video compression software. This quad will be difficult to part with, it is by far my best work so far and I'm really proud of it.
I am planning to go to the UK in 2010 and want to go when Leylstad is happening so I can pop over the channel take a look and meet some people as you have done. Europe is a very expensive trip from here but I think the throttle business should cover it, (R & D!)
More pics soon...
Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
That's about as good as it gets! I am really amazed with this work.
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Absolutely beautiful :) :) :) Fantastic Gwyn!!!!!
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
That is truely some amazing work Absolutely fantastic.
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Hi Gwyn,
Nice throttle there truly pro. I'm thinking of converting a a320 throttle into a A330 throttle. And you are making the A340 one and the 330 and 340 have similar levers. So now I wonder if it is okay to like copy your lever design? And if you might have any scale/measure drawings of them?
Thanks/ Tim
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scandinavian-A330
Hi Gwyn,
Nice throttle there truly pro. I'm thinking of converting a a320 throttle into a A330 throttle. And you are making the A340 one and the 330 and 340 have similar levers. So now I wonder if it is okay to like copy your lever design? And if you might have any scale/measure drawings of them?
Thanks/ Tim
Hi Tim, if you contact me via my website I will be able to email some drawings to you!
Cheers Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Ah thank you very much Gwyn. I Emailed you yesterday. Hope we can work something out.
/ Tim
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Gwyn,
I am building my throttle quad and I am interested in how you are controling the tension on the arms. It looks like you are using one rod going throw all the levers at the pivot point. Correct? What keeps the tension on the levers but at the same time allow independent movement of each lever? It appears to me looking at the pictures that if I were to move only one then there is potential for others to move.
You stated that you are looking for a 240 degree movement of the pot? What, if it matters, is a good range for a pot?
Did you start making your own gears with the CNC?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Jake
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
flyinjake
Gwyn,
I am building my throttle quad and I am interested in how you are controling the tension on the arms. It looks like you are using one rod going throw all the levers at the pivot point. Correct? What keeps the tension on the levers but at the same time allow independent movement of each lever? It appears to me looking at the pictures that if I were to move only one then there is potential for others to move.
You stated that you are looking for a 240 degree movement of the pot? What, if it matters, is a good range for a pot?
Did you start making your own gears with the CNC?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Jake
Hi Jake,
All my TQs have a single axle for the levers to swing on. To move one lever takes less force than two obviously therefore the other levers stay in place if an engine is adjusted independently. The detent mechanisms provided sufficient drag so the levers are not loose. My future Boeing quads will all use the drive train of the DC auto throttle motors to provide movement resistance, this works really well, thank you Mr Sissons for this tip!!
Rotary pots generally rotate about 300 degrees, if possible it is always best to use all of the available travel. The pot will provide a much more stable span of signal and calibration will be easier.
I make my own gears and I can supply them to any size and ratio no problem!
Cheers Gwyn
www.aerosimsolutions.com.au
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Hello!
How the reverse levers locking in the up position?
Best regards, Grant.
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grant
Hello!
How the reverse levers locking in the up position?
Best regards, Grant.
Hi Grant, it's been a long time since I built that TQ but if I think I made them spring loaded, they have to be held up. To make them stay up by themselves would be easier - the 4mm csk hd bolt that is the pivot axle for the reverser could be tightened to provide enough friction to grip the lever.
Cheers Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Westozy
Hi Grant, it's been a long time since I built that TQ but if I think I made them spring loaded, they have to be held up. To make them stay up by themselves would be easier - the 4mm csk hd bolt that is the pivot axle for the reverser could be tightened to provide enough friction to grip the lever.
Cheers Gwyn
Confirm they are spring loaded.
Using mostly only 2 of the 4 these days.
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Hi Erhard, How are you? I trust the TQ is still performing well?? My 737 is in quite an advanced state and I think it will be running in about 6 months time. I sold the rental property this week (the house you stayed in) so there will be plenty of funds available soon to acquire the last pieces. When it is finished I will re open Aerosim Solutions on a much bigger scale!
Cheers Gwyn
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Re: A340 Throttle quadrant project
Hi Gwyn,
we are fine thanks for asking. Retired since one year now and still not bored.
The TQ is still working fine, apart from occasional calbration issues. As I said, I am mostly using 2 throttles. One of the good things about an Airbus pit, you can use it for anything from A318 to A340-600.
I will have to find an excuse then to come to Perth when the pit is up and and running...
Mine is not making a lot of progress but I am flying almost every day. The only real thing I have done is put in 3 55" LED's with which I am absolutely happy. Now running wideview with FSGRW and weather is working beatuifully too. I never got it to synchronize with AS2012.
Give our regards to Leonie...
Pranom & Erhard
