How to make a loop for linear actuator in Kerbal Space Program, Breaking Ground

kerbal-space-program

I'd like to make a digger or a dumper truck in Kerbal Space Program using the breaking ground robotics parts. I can, of course just use powered hinges, which works, but isn't how tall diggers and dumper trucks work. I want to use a passive hinge and a linear actuator to power it, but this requires making a closed triangle, with passive hinges on all 3 corners. Is there a way to connect a part to existing structure at both ends?

Best Answer

Yes, there is a part in KSP that lets you connect other parts in a closed loop directly in the SPH / VAB: the EAS-4 Strut Connector.

Here's a quick example of a simple crane powered by a linear piston actuator, with the struts that close the triangle highlighted by the red circle:

The three hinges at the corners of the triangle are unpowered, and were adjusted to approximately close the triangle before their power was turned off. Two sides of the triangle are made out of I-beams, while the third side contains the piston. The hinge at the top of the piston is attached to a small "cubic octagonal strut", which is attached to the I-beam that acts as the lifting arm using the EAS-4 strut connectors.

(It would probably be possible to connect the lifting arm directly to the hinge with the strut connectors, but then you'd have to be careful to make sure the connectors attach to the right part of the hinge and there might be some glitches. Putting the cubic octagonal strut in between makes the attachment easier. I generally try to avoid attaching strut connectors directly to non-rigid parts just out of caution.)

I've tested this crane, and it indeed works:

Here's the .craft file, if you'd like to test and examine it yourself.

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You can do this with Action Groups.

This youtube tutorial provides a good example of how to do exactly what you want:

In short, once you have the solar panels added to your ship:

Click on the "Action Groups" icon at the top of the screen. It's the blue button that looks like two gears.
Select "Custom1" or whichever number you would like the action to bind to.
Click on the solar panels you would like to extend/retract when the key is pressed.
Then select "Toggle Panels" (or "Extend Panels"/"Retract Panels", if you only want this action to work in one direction.)

Now when your ship is launched, you can use whichever number key you bound this action group to to toggle your solar panels.

Do plugins for Kerbal Space Program work on unix

With very few exceptions, KSP mods are either parts only (and thus consist only of configuration files) or include plugins written in C# (which work on both Linux and Windows). MechJeb and Protractor specifically I can confidently say work on Linux because I'm using both right now.

All mods - parts or plugins - should be installed to the GameData directory. For example, if KSP were installed in ~/Games/KSP, with MechJeb installed you should have a directory structure that looks something like this:

~/Games/KSP/
  ...other KSP directories...
  GameData/
    Squad/
      ...base game files...
    MechJeb2/
      Parts/
        ...MJ part configurations...
      Plugins/
        ...MJ plugin DLL and PluginData files...

Bear in mind that with MechJeb you need to install a MechJeb part on your rocket to see any UI changes. Furthermore, if you're playing in career mode, you'll need to unlock it in the tech tree before it appears.

Best Answer

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