GameCab Flight Yoke Version 2 design

[Gamecab]

Hi All,

I want to get an opinion from all here about a prototype that I have designed for the new GameCab Flight Yoke (This would be a version 2 model).  My plan is to produce a new flight yoke that will be mountable to a plate which is 6.5"x6.5" (Standard 3" Trackball plate size).  What will be gone is the Ugly base (Bottom wood and metal base) that is present in the existing Version 1 Yoke.  The Benefit of the new design will be that the Yoke will fit in any existing trackball cutout.  The Yokes control head (Grips and control Hub) will also have amble clearence from the new mounting plate.  
The yoke itself will also have the ability to be mounted to a base if someone desires to do so.  I will not be designing a base for the yoke but I do think that the mounting base that 1UP had designed for his SW Yoke would be a perfect fit http://www.1uparcade.com/projects-yokebase.html.
I have also made a few minor design changes to the Yokes control hub and have also replaced the spring system of the unit itself.  As for an interface to connect it to your PC, the Yoke will also be USB only.

Due to the new design of the yoke, I expect the construction time to me very minimal per unit.  This should allow me to produce more units per weekend then what was being done with the version 1 Yoke.

I should have a picture of the prototype by Sunday evening. (it needs a good painting before picture day)

So now here is your chance, what suggestions or comments do you have that can better help me in the design of the unit.  I plan to start production as soon as July 24th and "Expect" to have the units ready for sale shortly after.

Thanks
Charlie

[Xiaou2]

  Hard to make suggestions without seeing the pics of the unit - inside and out.

  One thing that you did not mention - is if the handles are angled like the arcade.

  You mention changes to the springs... but you do not show what type of springs, nor the way they are mounted.   Poor spring choice, and poor placements/mounting can be dissasterous.  

[Lilwolf]

One thing you might consider.

The base is very handy for some.  You might want to sell a precut kit for enought to really make it worth your while... For people who really really do not want to deal with it...  Like $60 for the kit.  You should be able to make a base for that and some money... and keep the majority of customers buying them.

One way to remove the annoying orders it to increase the price to the point where they aren't that annoying any more

And pictures!

[Tailgunner]

Pics of the version 1 yoke can be seen here: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=20273

Tough call on the base issue. Atari yokes don't come with one either, and I think most people here would have the tools/materials needed to make one should their installation require a base. Even if you don't plan to sell them, you'd be wise to make a base that fits your new yoke and put up a simple dimensioned drawing of it on the yoke page.

Can't comment on the new spring system yet, except to say that the best feel comes from torsion springs. Glad to see you'll be offering a USB solution, though I'd still offer a gameport version as well.

Biggest thing I'd say you need to watch is overall quality control. Spend the extra time needed to deburr all the rough edges. Hit all the drilled holes with a countersink. Watch how the wiring is routed so it's not being pinched or chafing on sharp edges. Your basic design is pretty sound, there's just a handful of niggling things that need improvement.

[Gamecab]

Hey Again,

I am going to give the angled handels a try and see how they hold up.  If they come out good then I'll make a jig for drilling out those portions of the unit.

One thing I though of this afternoon was to make the height of the yoke adjustable.  This is now possible through the use of an alen key.  It was a simple Mod and someone will find it useful.

I decided to replace the existing spring system with a bungie chord system.  I like the results and think that the new tension is very close to torsion springs.  I have a roadblaster steering wheel and the feel is very very close.  What is gone is the noise from the #76 springs that I was using as well as the 1/4 inch looseness in the dead center (I noticed it).

I don't want to go to crazy with detailed pictures of the yoke because the use of parts will change on the production models.  I plan on having some of the parts machined (Pot harness, Metal base, and a few others).  Once the machined parts are installed I will take final pictures and post them on the GameCab site.

Anyway, Here are the Pictures - You may remember the Control head from the very first GameCab Yoke produced, I keep it around for testing and modifications (Yes, it still works after 10 months of serious abuse).
http://www.gamecab.com/yokeimg.htm
Thanks
Charlie

[Minwah]

Looks nice so far...

I'd be interested to see angled handles too

[Lilwolf]

Looks AMAZING!  I would like to see the angled handles also!

[Gamecab]

Minor Update since yesterday -
1.  I'm going to Make the Angled handles a reality.  It's going to take a little extra work tooling out a jig but i'm sure I can make it happen by the end of this weekend.  I'll add that pic to the Gamecab site when it's finished.

2.  USB and Gameport is "Very" possible but it will have to be an Either/Or deal upon purchase.

3.  The first of the machined parts are due to arrive in 21 Days!!.  I decided to machine a potentiometer holder that would also protect the gears from getting damaged as well.  Someone posted a link on this board about an online machine shop, I followed the link, downloaded the software and converted my garage brew designs into a few CAD drawings.  I then submitted them for pricing and the price was great (For a purchase over 30).  So I bought them!!.  If the results of the Potentiometer holder are good then I am also going to submit my designs for a new control hub that has that nice curved look of the SW yoke.  Keep your fingers crossed (I know I am).  If all goes well I should have the units ready for mass production within 35-50 days (I still have that Day Job thing going on M-F).  

The only thing left is to come up with a catchy name for the new Yoke.  Any Ideas?

Thanks
Charlie

[Xiaou2]

 Sounds good...

  However... I wonder if streamlined, the project might cost if done entirely thru the machine shop online?

 One note of concern I suspect might be the use of bungee for springs.   Im not certain of thier life expectancy for one... but more importantly... after so much use,  the bands may stretch to the point of causing slack.   If this isnt easy for others to remount, center perfectly, and create the perfect tention... it could be a big downfall to an otherwise decent design.

[Lilwolf]

StarWars and Yoke and EmpireStrikesBack.

EmpireYokeWars?

StarStrikesYoke?

WarYokeBack?

Add in Home or BuildYourOwn

YourOwnBackYoke?  <--scratch that one

[ChadTower]

Bungee cords dry out and lose elasticity over time.  They probably wouldn't over stretch and slacken but I could definitely see them drying up and crumbling.

[Lilwolf]

But they are also amazingly easy to replace...

I don't have an original starwars controller but a hydra controller... The one thing that bugs me is the center spot... ie, being in the center without any springs... then moving to a springed area isn't very smooth.

If the bungy fixed this I would be happy... Especially if it was easy to replace..

[ChadTower]

We don't know that they are actually easy to replace yet.  If you have to completely dismantle the thing to replace them, that's not so easy.