Building a force feedback chair

[snomhf]

This is something that I've been thinking about for a while and would enjoy some feedback on. (Especially you Bob :) )

Here is the logic of a Logitech ForceFeedback stick. The X & Y motors are very small 12V, very low current affairs that drive gears that move the stick and the X & Y directions.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/FrankenForce/circuitDiagrams/logitechWingmanForce3D.gif

In concept, in order to build a forcefeedback chair, you would simply relocate these motors to mechanical linkage that moves your chair X & Y as they do the stick. That part is not conceptually difficult. The problem obviously is one of power. We're now talking amps, not milliamps. This pushes my electronic knowledge a bit off the scale. I would need a circuit that could passively take the output from these two small motors and input into another circuit that could drive a high-current circuit capable of handling a couple of (say) car starter motors (30-50 amps).

Any ideas on how to build such a circuit?

[snomhf]

Ok, found this link to a pretty cool motion simulator. It appears that he uses a Parallax HB-25 motor controller which appears to turn an electric motor (e.g. car starter; he actually uses auto windshield wiper motor) into a servo. That clears this issue up a little bit for me but since I have something that drives motors already and just need to driver bigger ones, this looks like more than I would need.

Here is the link:
http://ptyxiouxos.net//greekbotics/user_projects/Flight_Simulator/Electronics.htm

[RobMR3]

Ok, found this link to a pretty cool motion simulator. It appears that he uses a Parallax HB-25 motor controller which appears to turn an electric motor (e.g. car starter; he actually uses auto windshield wiper motor) into a servo. That clears this issue up a little bit for me but since I have something that drives motors already and just need to driver bigger ones, this looks like more than I would need.

Here is the link:
http://ptyxiouxos.net//greekbotics/user_projects/Flight_Simulator/Electronics.htm

Now that's a freakin' cool idea. Thanks for the link.

[NowhereMan]

And there's the Intellivibe : http://www.ivibe.com/

Tho it's pretty expensive and the owner looks to be having legal problems.

[Tinker Dave]

As far as small DC motors you might look at a cordless drill motor. They produce very high torque and draw between 5-30 amps. They have the advantage of being cheap,tough,dependable and you have the option of using the cordless drills transmission which mounts to the motor to produce very high levels of torque. You can even use the slip clutch to protect the motor. Dewalt drills are very good for this and you can order any parts on www.dewaltservicenet.com. the motors are in 12,14.4,18,24,and 36 volt dc.
Hope that helps
Tinker