{"id":134,"date":"2023-10-15T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T14:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/?page_id=134"},"modified":"2023-10-17T11:41:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T11:41:33","slug":"desktop-cpg-dash-design","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/the-apache-pit-project\/main-menu\/the-build\/the-interior\/desktop-cpg-dash-design\/","title":{"rendered":"desktop CPG dash &#8211; design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Whilst still planning &amp; designing the full tandem AH-64D simpit,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-38-300x213.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-38-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-38-768x545.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-38.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I was sadly denying myself any flight time at all, so I decided to build an interim platform for short term use, whilst I also designed &amp; fabricated all the flight panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the complexity of the TEDAC grips, I was pondering the viability of 2x (L&amp;R) off the shelf grips that might prove a more readily accessible alternative to those who wanted the manual dexterity but were not in a position to manufacture their own grips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-39-300x219.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-39-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-39-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-39.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I threw around some ideas &amp; settled on the concept above that allowed for grips to be mounted from below in order to use existing connections &amp; mounting points. The crude system indicated the basic layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had previously purchased a gladiator stick &amp; a LH kosima SCG grip with the intention of making a\u2019collective\u2019 again using off the shelf components, but attention to detail bit me &amp; I was unable to action it as intended &amp; got caught up trying to design a replacement gimbal with a single axis travel etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-40-300x196.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-40-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-40-768x502.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-40.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The plan was to mount the collective to the rear of a throttle so as to provide use of both fixed wing &amp; rotary wing alternatives to sim pilots. Other projects &amp; real life continued to interfere with this though &amp; it was constantly put on the back-burner. Eventually I acquired a K-51 collective, so my requirement for this item decreased in priority significantly. Recently I saw posts where someone had done exactly what i was intending, though they utilised a base that had a metal gimbal which allowed for an axis to be locked out, which is perfect, no reinvention necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To continue on with the full tandem pit was a test in futility, so to soothe my flying habit, I needed to come up with a solution that would allow me to fly as well as take advantage of each panel as they were created &amp; mount them to prevent them from becoming damaged within the catastrophe that is my workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The criteria was pretty simple<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>it needed to be wide enough to accomodate the 2x MFDs &amp; TEDAC mounting points (1:1 scale wasn\u2019t important)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>it needed to provide a stow point for the keyboard when not required, but still allow for easy access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the grips needed to mount from the bottom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>there needed to be adequate dash real estate to accomodate other CPG panels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the needed to be enough rigidity to support the monitor as it would consume the monitor stand normal space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly I had to establish the primary dimensions of height width &amp; depth to ensure it would fit in the allocated desk space as well as accomodate all required panels. The finishing touches of top shelf &amp; front trim would come once this was done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-41-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-41-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-41-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-41.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>the intial concept resulted in the following, very little changed from the initial concept to the final revision other than a few dimensions of the TADS \u2018stem\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"146\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-42-300x146.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-42-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-42-768x374.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-42.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>the monitor shelf didn\u2019t need to be the full length of the dash so it was made only wide enough to accommodate a standard keyboard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"162\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-43-300x162.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-43-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-43-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-43.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The rear of the keyboard recess has a vertical brace that locks in the monitor stand verticals, these also support the dash angle<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dash dimensions were tweeked a little to ensure all panels could be positioned without over crowding, again 1:1 wasn\u2019t a concern in this instance, only functionality<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-44-300x168.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-44-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-44-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-44.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By utilising the joystick grips I also required the joystick base in order to get the button functionality, so after removing the gimbals from each &amp; investigating the small PCBs within the base, I managed to map out safe areas to cut the bases into sections that would allow me to also use the majority of buttons\/switches on each base, nice. Reducing these as much as possible &amp; getting the angle right to provide optimum placement\/accessibility whilst holding the grips. A little excess was allowed on the base panels so that I could drill new mounting holes if existing mounting holes\/bosses, were not obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-45-300x154.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-45-300x154.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-45-768x393.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-45.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I actually modelled the bases on the wrong sides, so the following images are incorrect, the gladiator base should be on the LH grip (oops)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-49-300x269.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-49-300x269.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-49-768x688.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-49.png 883w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>the 1st (LH) gladiator I acquired was the original gladiator (std not pro) along with the SCG &amp; I didnt realise the grip did not seperate from the basetilise all the grip buttons so capitalising on the base encoders &amp; buttons, it was also butchered to be placed hidden behind the TADS LH grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-10\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-46-300x269.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-46-300x269.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-46-768x688.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-46.png 883w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>the 2nd (RH) gladiator I acquired was when the new variants were release &amp; the standard versions were reduced, so the base is different. Still require the components in the joystick base to utilise all the grip buttons so capitalising on the base encoders &amp; buttons, it was also butchered to be placed hidden behind the TADS LH grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized wp-duotone-unset-11\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-48.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-145\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>rather than creating a throttle quadrant I have decided to retain the warthog throttle &amp; utilise it &amp; its buttons to compliment the ah64 simpit, it can also double as a fixed wing throttle should I ever turn to the dark side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/the-apache-pit-project\/main-menu\/the-build\/the-interior\/desktop-cpg-dash-build\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/the-apache-pit-project\/main-menu\/the-build\/the-interior\/desktop-cpg-dash-build\/\">go to the CPG dash build<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whilst still planning &amp; designing the full tandem AH-64D simpit, I was sadly denying myself any flight time at all, so I decided to build an interim platform for short term use, whilst I also designed &amp; fabricated all the flight panels. Given the complexity of the TEDAC grips, I was pondering the viability of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":47,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-134","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":362,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/134\/revisions\/362"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}