Mechanical Gauge for IL-2 ([Probably] The First Ever!)

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hi guys,

 

wanna share with you my rather insignificant achievement. Behold the feat of cardboard engineering! It took me only over a month of pain. ?

 

So if you were ever curious when you actually stall the b*tch, my sophisticated airspeed indicator has finally the answer for you!

 

Disclaimer: If I am not the first one to achieve this, feel free to contact me and I will gladly hand over the award I got from Jason. ?

 

The in-game data are fetched using awesome app IL-2 Dials by Blorg - huge thanks to him for tremendous support during the whole process!

For those who are not familiar with it: IL-2 Dials forum thread

 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2022 by =C=ntS=Jenicek

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hi,

 

Just a quick update in case anyone was astonished by the cardboard miracle before: It got a bit more believable look, however might be adding the labels such as "Stallin' the bitch" manually. Turned out very practical, especially with Fw 190. ?
Will need to learn to use a laser cutter, will be a lot of fun I presume. ?

 

 

Quote

 

[CosmiC10R]

Thats very impressive. Did you 3d print the body? Looks like it.

 

How did you do the mechanicals?

Edited November 29, 2022 by CosmiC10R

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

On 11/29/2022 at 4:32 AM, CosmiC10R said:

Thats very impressive. Did you 3d print the body? Looks like it.

 

How did you do the mechanicals?

Thanks! You are right, that's some PLA 3D print. However, it will need some lovin' with putty and paint.

Regarding mechanics - I tried to make it simple (mainly to avoid 3D printed gearing). Went with a stepper motor with two axes - the gearing is inside (so no funky business needed on my side).

[CosmiC10R]

3 hours ago, =C=ntS=Jenicek said:

Thanks! You are right, that's some PLA 3D print. However, it will need some lovin' with putty and paint.

Regarding mechanics - I tried to make it simple (mainly to avoid 3D printed gearing). Went with a stepper motor with two axes - the gearing is inside (so no funky business needed on my side).

 

Amazing what you guys are able to pull off. Ive got a 3d printer on its way and looking forward to making some flight controls.

Im going to start with some of the authentikit stuff. They would likely be interested in what you have pulled off here.

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hey, another short update:
I am now officially able to use a laser cutter. And I was quite surprised that it wasn't that hard at all! (That's what she said.) Now I am waiting for a print of the dial itself, after that the mechanical aspect of the prototype should be finished.

Edited December 9, 2022 by =C=ntS=Jenicek

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hi,

 

slowly moving forward. Pun intended. ?

 

 

[Flying_Colander]

Well done, Jenicek.

[Lusekofte]

Now find a reliable way to produce them. 
I need a complete set for C 47 thanks. 
 

Amazing job , love it 

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

On 12/13/2022 at 1:25 AM, Lusekofte said:

Now find a reliable way to produce them. 
I need a complete set for C 47 thanks. 
 

Amazing job , love it 

Thanks, guys! ? 

 

Right now, I am working on prototypes of british speedometer and altimeter. Once I deal with small issues with zero referencing and test all the electronics on a breadboard, I will move to designing a PCB. From there to the american gauges you need for your C-47 it is only a matter of different bezel and a dial itself.

 

However, for whole sets of gauges I still have to test a com architecture that I have in mind.

 

And then there will be a challenge in form of artificial horizon to tackle. But that is a song of the future, must not be carried away. ?

[Lusekofte]

3 hours ago, =C=ntS=Jenicek said:

must not be carried away. ?

Oh, I help you get carried away. Hell, I carry you. Good job

[Flying_Colander]

Seconded.

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

So I have finally got the prints of dials. Doesn't look bad with a backlight.

 

[=Karaya69=VikingSail]

Great engineering talent! I understand you read out the telemetry data using the IL-2 Dials app. But what did you use to send the data and use them to drive phyisical servo motors(i assume)=?

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

On 12/22/2022 at 7:20 AM, [4H]VikingSail said:

Great engineering talent! I understand you read out the telemetry data using the IL-2 Dials app. But what did you use to send the data and use them to drive phyisical servo motors(i assume)=?

Thanks! I programmed a simple desktop app that takes the data and send them through a serial port to the microcontroller. No rocket science really.

[paul_leonard]

Perhaps not rocket science, but serious innovation.

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

 Hey, guys! I was lazy during the Christmas holidays but I am back with some more progress. ?

 

The backlight will need more LEDs, it looks a bit shit now. Also I will have to change the way it is fastened together by screws. Right now it does not allow for simple attachment to a panel. Could have thought about it earlier.. ?‍♂️But still.. To me it's like a Christmas tree to a child that has never seen one before. ?

 

Next time I will hopefully show you some simple demo with both altimeter and speedometer reading data from the game. Stay tuned. ?

 

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

And another one... ?

 

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hey guys, I'm back! I may have overdone it a bit with the demo but kinda like the outcome. ?

 

 

[1Sascha]

Holy chit, this is awesome!

 

Just one suggestion for potential improvement: The needle on that cardboard-gauge should've jumped off the dial when you went to ludicrous speed in the K-4. Preferably accompanied by a loud and cartoony "Plonk!" or "Boioioioioioing!" sound-effect... ?

 

 

S.

Edited February 13, 2023 by 1Sascha