Everybody knows the good old "Baloo pedals" (I must say thanks to Ala11_Baloo !).
I decided to give it a try using 2mm steel plate for pedals and their support (laser cut), 3mm steel plate for the base and 20mm square steel "tube" for the frame, ball bearings and hall sensors plus one of Leo Bodnar's board. I was also inspired (once again) by JFA's excellent work ( http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2647885/1.html ).
Some pictures: (it's work in progress, assembly is only for some "dry fit" testing)







Now I've come to a dead end, because I can't figure what centering mechanism I have to use... nothing is worse than indecision.
I see three ways to solve my problem :

1. Good old russian style.Simplicity at it's best. Easiest to manufacture, but I suspect that it will give a poor centering feel.

(picture found in suchoy forum, I belive is one of vkb projects)

2. Original Baloo style (and JFA): easy enough to manufacture, but I suspect some kind of "dead zone" induced in the center position..Also I've heard JFA complaining somewhere...
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2647885/2.html

3. MMaister (lovely setup!) and Baur style (using a cam) Probably the best solution, but I have no clue how to design the cam profile...
http://avia-sim.ru/forum/files/f17_236.jpg
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3499412/2.html

Any help/feedback/(and criticism) will be highly appreciated.

I don't have any ideas for a self-centering design/changes....but I just want to say that this is an impressive piece of kit! Great fabrication on the pedals and the construction of the "Baloo Pedals" looks just as good. Thanks for sharing.
Derek

Cool. I was looking at the Baur cam design. I'd be interested to see how you adapt the mechanism to your design. Please keep us informed.

Excellent work! What did it cost you to have the pedal blanks laser cut?

g.

Volans,

You did some great job here. I would deffinitely go with the CAM solution. It gives you total freedom to adjust the loads to your taste.

Thanks for your ideas.
4 pedals and four bases were 48 euros.
I think I will go with the cam solution, right now I'm in no man's land: I can manufacture the cam mechanism but I can't design it....at least in this moment.
But I will make it.

The cam can be as simple as a section of a circle with the pivot offset from the center or as complex as a shape that gives you different specific return-to-center forces through the arc of the deflection. If you plan on flying helicopters I'd suggest you to avoid having a well defined center detent. It's unrealistic, and makes fine adjustment near the center practically impossible. If the idler is on a pivoting assembly you have to conside that the centering spring will be stretched by a different amount for the same left and right deflection, so you have to compensate this in the cam shape. If the idler is moving linearly then the cam can be symmetrical, and possibly a little easier to deal with, but this means more friction and wear in the idler assembly. In my wooden pedals I have a cam cut out of perspex (but a cutting board would be better) mounted on linear bearings and pressed against the aluminium axis that runs between the pedals. There's no roller, and this causes some wear, but seems to work fine so far.

Volans,

Nice work. Another "inspiration" for center mechanics:

http://avia-sim.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=724&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

Sokol1

Very nice build.

When I built mine I used the Baloo self centering style, but have not felt any dead zone. That said, I might opt for the cam style Baur centering method instead, it looks like a fun project in itself. I did something similar when I made a custom H-shifter for racing sims.

Good luck and I look forward to further updates!

David

Almost complete my 'MK I' Baloo style pedals. Main axe is ok (hall sensor= no need for gearing....priceless!). Still no toe brakes (yet).
Center mechanism is (slightly modified) original Baloo style: metallic arms with ball bearings. Unfortunately my skills are mediocre at best so centering mechanism is not (yet) perfect.
I've failed to use a cam, since I wasn't able to design a proper profile,so my (almost empirical) attempts were unsuccessful.
'The thing' is mounted on a 3mm steel plate, then attached to a high density plywood base.
Some pictures:








Three more to go!! (plenty of time until I'll reach 90 years old...)



The next generation quality control: 'what is THIS?'

Wow Volans, that is just plain impressive. Nicely done!

Excellent work! I saw the sippy-cup and knew you had to have a little helper close by.
Thanks for posting the final product, it's something to be proud of.
Derek

Congrats! It looks really good! You definitely have the skills!

Only one comment. As I can see, the spring becomes bended when the pedal is deflected. Well it is not a good thing. Maybe you should reshape the spring arm to avoid it.

Cheers
MM

Great looking work! Probably the last pedals you ever need
I replaced baloos centering mechanism with simple rubberbands. Not pretty but works better than anything i've tried.
Are you going to make any cover for hallsensor?

I'm glad you liked. Even if my project it's not even close to your work....
VO101MMaister: picture was taken before installing a motion limiter, now the spring is not bending anymore....you hawk eye!!
JFA2, your work was my main inspiration source, both for joystick and for pedals. I've always wanted to see some actualized photos of your pedals. How exactly did you used rubber band for centering. Replacing the spring??
Hall sensor and electronics board is now safely covered with a thin aluminium plate.