SiM PiT PROJECT

This blog is dedicated to my custom Mech Sim-Pit build that is based on the Mech units in the video game concept I am working on.

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Update

The sim-pit has been thrown on the back burner for a bit while I finish my  Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games. Then it may get a little more attention but its going to have to wait for now.

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Viper Pits - An excellent site for pit makers.

Anyone that is building or designing any type of sim-pit should definitely stop by http://www.viperpits.org they have a large user group that are extremely knowledgeable about all things simulator related.

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STAGE TWO - The Mock Up

The second part of this project will be to use cardboard to mock up the dimensions and general shapes of the cockpit so i can begin making the actual structure part of the pit out of more permanent and durable materials. The main things that I have been using while working on this section has been a black marker, cardboard, hot glue, a ruler and a tape measure. Making a mock up first allows me to experiment with my design while keeping costs low and making it easy to alter the design as I refine my ideas.

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PLANNED SiM-PiT FEATURES

Here is a quick list of some of the features that I have planned to include in my simpit.

RFID Swipe Card (Swipe to log in to computer)

Wii Nun-chuck control input.

Custom Throttle unit with scroll wheel, buttons and PS2 thumb-stick.

Custom Anti-torque pedals.

Custom Handbrake system.

Custom Steering wheel / Flight yolk system.

Custom Illuminated Button, Switch and Dial input panels.

Custom Number Pad with Accept and Cancel/Back buttons.

Custom keyboard for one hand.

Custom Joysticks x2.

Fully enclosed cockpit area. (Hydraulically opened and closed)

Ambient LED lights with different 'modes'. (normal, emergency & damaged)

Key lock isolation on main power button.

Transducer system.

7" MFD Screen 1 - Regular LCD.

7" MFD Screen 2 - Touch Screen LCD.

Intercom system to talk to person inside simpit.

Ventilation & Exhaust system to keep sim-pit occupant cool.

And there are probably some ideas I have forgotten to list but they will get their attention later on when the build shifts in their direction.

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STAGE ONE - COMPLETED!

With help from my mate Adrian the core system for my pit is together and running (as a desktop system) which was my goal for the end of step one. From here in the build gets much more complicated and difficult but I will do my best to be clear about what it is that I'm doing, as well as how and why. As well as post photos and diagrams to help others with their projects.

- Apex Predator.

(My old PC getting a clean out)  - BELOW

(Adrian working away bringing BRUTiS-CMD to life) - BELOW

(The pile of new parts that will become my main system) - BELOW

(A must have... A monster of a graphics card!) - BELOW

(The systems body - Thermaltake Chaser A21 Chassis) - BELOW

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STAGE ONE - Building up the main system.

The first stage of my sim-pit build was to build a better system to serve as the main workhorse in my sim-pit setup. So far these parts represent the guts of the pits main system...

PROCESSOR - AMD FX-6300 6 Core Black Edition Pro

GRAPHICS - Sapphire Radeon R9 270x Dual-X OC 2GB

RAM - Kingston HyperX 8GB*

HARD DRIVE - Western Digital Green 1TB 

MOTHERBOARD -  ASRock 990FX Extreme3

DISK DRIVE - Samsung SH-224DB DVDRW

POWER SUPPLY - Thermaltake Litepower 700W Black Edition

* I plan on adding another 8GB of RAM to the rig but so far I have been too lazy to return to my computer parts supplier.

- Apex Predator.

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iNTRODUCTiON

BRUTiS is the call sign of a Mech operated by one of the main characters in the video game concept that I have been developing. When it came time for me to update my computer I decided to build my own custom Mech sim-pit with a number of various features. On this blog I will be posting update photos and videos of my pit in progress and other things sim-pit related.

- Apex Predator.