electro-mechanical plate to restrict joy movement(4way,8way). Can it be done?

[lordtodd75]

I have an ultrastik 360 and I love it to death. The only problem I have is that I dont have a physical limiter for 4 way, 8 way movement. I feel like I really need this, especially for the old 4 way(donkey kong and pac man I have a really hard time with). It can't be too hard to make a plate that limits movement and can switch from 4 way to 8 way to open via an electrical motor. There is no reason I can see that this couldnt also be automatic like the maps for my ultra stik. Am I missing something here, it is so obvious, so I have to think this has at least been tried. anyone?

[javeryh]

It's a neat idea but I'm pretty sure it would take a nerd of the highest order to figure it out.  I'd love to see it though!   

[SavannahLion]

It can't be too hard to make a plate that limits movement and can switch from 4 way to 8 way to open via an electrical motor.

I was thinking the same thing myself. As much as I like GGG"s OMNI-Stik, I don't like how that tiny tab sticks out. Plus I have to remember which direction is which and which games require which mode. If we had a motorized version, then it would become a software based solution automating the whole process. Add a color status light indicator, red for changing, blue for 8-way, green for 4-way (or whatever colors one chooses). Base the whole thing on 5v, use a LED board controller from either GGG or Ultimarc to control directionality. Or add a USB controller right on the joystick itself if we feel we need status feedback from the joystick (eg, whether it should be in 8-way mode, but it's stuck on 4-way mode). All the components are there, except for the joystick.

With an electrical motor, a whole new restrictor plate would be needed, likely involving worm gears to overcome the torque needed in a worst case scenario (someone holding the joystick on a diagonal during the change). Basically make the restrictor plate one big gear and place a worm gear on the motor. Maybe those 12v power window motors might be small enough and powerful enough to do the job? I'm not really an engineer type person so I'm sure there are much better solutions.

With a solenoid, you still have to overcome the torque limitations, but I think the restrictor plate can be made a little looser to allow adjustment. I think a solenoid design might be easier to construct using existing switchable joysticks. One solenoid to do the switching and another to lock the plate into place.


I have a few more ideas, but they're a little bit more exotic.

[whammoed]

I've tossed that idea around in my head many times before.  Its part of my "perfect joystick" that I envision in my mind.  Engineering it is the difficult bit or I would have one built already.  ( it would also have a balltop trigger stick...think cocktail tron   )

[ahofle]

Hell, IMO it doesn't even have to have a motor.  I agree about not having the tab sticking out though or the very large mounting plate footprint.  It would be nice to be able to pull up on the joystick to put it into a 'restrictor switching' mode and then twist it left of right to put the restrictor plate in the correct mode.

[koz319]

It would be nice to be able to pull up on the joystick to put it into a 'restrictor switching' mode and then twist it left of right to put the restrictor plate in the correct mode.

I thought Ultimarc makes a joystick that does this - I've never used it, but I thought it existed?

[SavannahLion]

It would be nice to be able to pull up on the joystick to put it into a 'restrictor switching' mode and then twist it left of right to put the restrictor plate in the correct mode.

I thought Ultimarc makes a joystick that does this - I've never used it, but I thought it existed?

Indeed it does. ahofle ought to know about it already.

This idea takes it to the next step.

[ahofle]

Indeed it does. ahofle ought to know about it already.

This idea takes it to the next step.

You're right I should. 

Why don't we see this feature in more joysticks (like the U360 for instance, which would make it pretty much perfect)?  Is it only possible with the magnetic centering in the magstick?

[Encryptor]

I don't know the torque specs on this. More using it as a demonstration. This motor is used to drive the cutter blade in a receipt printer. It looks like something that could be mounted to the side/bottom of a joystick to turn a restrictor plate.  Just a thought.

Encryptor

[NickG]

Yeah..those are teeth there on the circumference of those restrictor plates, right?  So one could perhaps order the set of restrictor plates and mount the circular restrictor to a stepper motor or a motor with a limit switch, then use the circular restrictor plate to turn the 4/8 way restrictor plate to position!  well that was my plan until I saw the previous post.  Those look like a better option because you may be able to fit two of them in a panel easier to get better rotation and less wear.  (since the in-use restrictor is on 4-screws instead of an axle)    Would that even be necessary; how easy are these to turn?