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FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY


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to this application, all igus bearings and chains are lubrication-free, dry running motion products, perfect for motorsport simulation. igus has worked with Greaves 3D Engineering


on the project for around two years. Commenting on the technical partnerships,


On cOurse fOr espOrts racing


The University of Northampton played host to a recent press event in which Greaves 3D Engineering introduced its racing simulator, a ‘super-realistic’ device featuring igus bearings,


linear rails, drives and e-chains. Rachael Morling was in pole position to find out more


A


cross the world, the esports industry is growing at a rapid rate. Used by gamers and professionals alike, these electronic


sports are not only proving highly popular as a form of recreational activity, but they are creating a wealth of job opportunities across a range of disciplines. The result is that Universities have now started offering degrees in esports. One such example is the University of


Northampton (UON). Aiming to become an esport hub in the future, UON is now providing an esports BSc (Hons) degree which places significant interest on practical hands-on application. Working with industry organisations, this aims to get students to develop the skills and knowledge they can transfer back into industry. During the course, students learn aspects of digital gaming development including user experience, marketing, broadcasting, media and esports coaching. The UON was therefore the ideal place for Greaves 3D Engineering to introduce its ‘super-realistic racing simulator’ to the market. After all, the University is deploying the simulator on its esports course.


a realistic drive


Designed to pull the driver into the race as “if they were actually there”, the simulator feels as though you’re actually driving a racing car, with life-like feedback mechanisms in the wheel, pedals and seat to give the driver a ‘haptic- like’ feel of the car and the track. Meanwhile an ultra-widescreen, triple monitor setup, pulls forward to wrap the track around the driver’s field of vision, providing a realistic view of the


1 DESIGN SOLUTIONS OCTOBER 2022 4


race track and a real sense of movement. Feedback devices all over the rig can simulate


the seat and steering wheel position of every class of racing, from entry-level karting to Formula One, so the driving position and handling is matched identically to that race class. Lean the seat position right back and down and you’re in an F1 car; go upright and bring the pedal box into range and it’s a Touring or rally car. Every element of the simulator can be adjusted, and highly responsive feedback is at the heart of the machine. Components like the steering wheel and the servo-motor fitted to it, which provides the feedback, are the best in class. So how did Greaves manage to develop such a realistic-feeling simulator?


cOmpOnents In order to enable the multi-positional movements, Greaves turned to igus. Rob Dumayne, director of bearing technology at igus UK, explained: “igus is involved with almost every mechanism in the racing simulator. There are 45 separate igus products helping with the rig’s movement: the electronic seat in front and aft movements, the seat pivot, and all the screen swivel and vertical movements, use igus bearings and chains. A fully adjustable pedal box, where the pedals give the driver feedback as well, is equipped with igus self-lubricating bearings. Heights are adjusted using igus drylin W linear rails.” igus also designed and built a special control


box to control the seat movement, featuring the igus D1 stepper motor control. Of further benefit


David Meenan, technical consultant at Greaves 3D Engineering, said: “The Greaves 3D simulator has been developed with a wealth of knowledge from our design team, drawing experience from various disciplines in motorsport from karting to sports cars up to Formula 1. We have selected top tier components from the front runners in the sim market, including the Precision Sim Engineering – LM Pro Steering wheel along with their bespoke dash. We coupled this with a Leo Bodnar steering system, a pairing that gives the ultimate racing car feel. “We utilise the HPP simulation race car spec


pedal box with a bespoke sim racing hydraulic brake system, that provides a realistic brake pedal feel which is critical to tuning the feel on the simulator to match that of real race cars. Precision Sim Engineering, Leo Bodnar and Packhorse flight cases have joined us alongside igus to make this exciting project with UON a roaring success.”


a mOdular sOlutiOn


The simulator is modular and portable – it can be unpacked and re-packed safely with minimal training and is designed to fold away and stow in a customised flight case with integrated ramp for transportation. It can then be reassembled and connected in minutes. It is available to both buy and lease, with


traditional customers including race teams and motorsport consultants. Now, however, esport companies, software designers and universities add to a widening market. In fact race teams are using the Greaves


simulator at live track events, as drivers can practice the course and fine-tune race settings digitally before heading out to the car for real. This can save teams costs in fuel and reduces the risk of accident or damage in testing. And, it lets the drivers sharpen their skills while waiting for bad weather to clear. “The esports market has been growing for a


number of years and Greaves 3D Engineering saw an opportunity for a more modular transportable solution to assist with the growing demands of this market,” concluded Jacob Greaves, director, Greaves 3D Engineering.


igus www.igus.co.uk


Feature


Feedback mechanisms in the wheel, pedals and seat give the driver a ‘haptic- like’ feel


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