CAN in car simulation with six axes

Source: CAN Newsletter December 2008

The visitors crowd around a blue race simulator at exhibitions. With the new electric servo technology equipment launched on the market, Bonfiglioli is implementing the virtual conditions of a computer game in real movements using six axes. The driver sits in the cockpit with a view on a monitor and experiences the journey with the appropriate travel sensation. The dynamics and precision of the drive technology provide the direct thrill.
While common simulators rely on hydraulics or linear technology, the North Italian drive specialist in collaboration with the simulator manufacturer XMotion is impressively demonstrating the features of its electric servo technology in an exhibition model. Six servo axes with servo gear motors transmit the commands of the computer program to the modeled vehicle. The six servo converters communicate quasi in real-time with each other via the CAN-based network integrated as standard in the controllers of the Active Cube product family. The motors fitted with resolvers drive spur gears whose play is reduced in comparison with the large series. The implementation of the race simulation is therefore very natural and possible in an efficient way as the “racing drivers” can themselves “experience”.