New project - MSFS C++ USB interface

[Ioannis]

Well, you are not alone! Happened to all!

Ioannis

[Demon]

So I have a need to override a pushbutton (from ON to OFF) and came up with this concept; a solenoid piggyback on a pushbutton switch with a 3D printed cap held by a strand of wire.




The system works, except the switch needs about 330 grams of force (according to specs, and my digital scale). The 5V solenoids are nowhere near strong enough, and this 12V variety comes up short. It struggles, but doesn't get the job done.

I sure could use ideas. It needs about 5mm travel to complete the stroke, and must not interfere with normal switch operations.

[amgen]

Hall effect switch with small magnet or if there is magnetic field around solenoid coil that the hall effect device can sense

[Demon]

One of the suppliers that had quoted me for that switch with the red shaft has a model with 100gf to operate. The model I am testing now uses 330gf.

It would be easier to use that switch cause I already have the circuit board tested, as well as a batch of white and yellow caps.

I just have to test to see if my solenoids can operate it properly (I have a stronger 12V batch coming in).

[Demon]

Hall effect switch with small magnet or if there is magnetic field around solenoid coil that the hall effect device can sense

I've never used those types of switches before. Do you have a link?

I need a latching pushbutton switch to simulate these controls. They have to remain down when pressed ON, and pop out when pressed again OFF.

[Ioannis]

Maybe you can use a small stepper motor with linear motion like the ones on the CD head mechanism?

Like this one https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...Cquery_from%3A

Ioannis

[Demon]

Maybe you can use a small stepper motor with linear motion like the ones on the CD head mechanism? ...

That's always an option, but it's a slower mechanism.

And I still have the issue of having sufficient torque to activate the switch. The motor has a stroke length, but no mention of force.

The manufacturer of the pushbutton switch with the red shaft has come back with a price of $0.044 USD for a 100gf model; that is very affordable and essentially the same price I paid for the 330gf model.

[amgen]

not sure if I am understanding what you need, but if you need an indicator that the mechanism is in one position or another then a hall effect switch is just a simple 'proximity sensor'..... when the small magnet moves within range of the IC, that 'trips' the transistor to on until the magnet moves away..... one manufacturer, Allegro

[URL="https://www.allegromicro.com/en/Insights-and-Innovations/Technical-Documents/Hall-Effect-Sensor-IC-Publications/Hall-Effect-IC-Applications-Guide" [/URL]

[Ioannis]

The design is based on a classic switch (On/Off) but if I understand correctly, in special cases, the push button should be in a specific state and user is not allowed to change that.

Ioannis

[Demon]

not sure if I am understanding what you need, but if you need an indicator that the mechanism is in one position or another then a hall effect switch is just a simple 'proximity sensor'...

I need to override the switch position in software. MSFS will disable one of those leftmost yellow switches under a certain circumstance.

My first idea was to use momentary switches, and have an LED indicate ON or OFF. But I'd really like to override the switches physically from software.

And that's why I'm looking at that solenoid design; I can operate the button manually without disruption from the solenoid, and activating the solenoid for a short burst can turn ON or OFF the switch.

One of my main goals with this product is to simulate as much as possible the visual switches in MSFS - within budgetary reason.

[Ioannis]

My first idea was to use momentary switches, and have an LED indicate ON or OFF. But I'd really like to override the switches physically from software.

This is great but why cannot you do it? I think it is cheaper, no mechanics (that can fail), easier to build and only you have to disable it by software. Even if user pushes the button, nothing will happen.

Ioannis

[Demon]

One thing that stopped me from having a metal enclosure was making clean cuts.

But now, we have affordable plasma cutting machines.

https://a.co/d/61WYUUd


I'd still need a 3-axis CNC base to get repeatable cuts.

I could get all the faceplate holes, as well as all the cuts to fold a sheet of metal.

I'd also need a folding tool, but that would be nothing at that point.