Specialist rigging company, Film Riggers, was recently called upon to ensure the safety of Alain Robert, aka the French Spiderman, while he scaled a skyscraper in central Johannesburg to create an advertisement for an international tyre manufacturer.
Film Riggers, a long-time user of automation and mechatronics technology from SEW-Eurodrive, was approached by a production company to execute logistics and safety during filming for the advertisement. The idea was to have Robert climb the building while it was raining, as a metaphor for the extra grip provided by the tyres on display.
Partner Graham Terrell, who established Film Riggers with Alard Hüfner in 2012, explains that Robert had two ropes attached to a harness, controlled by SEW-Eurodrive drives using a custom program based on torque control to belay the climber.
The winches devised by Film Riggers use the Movidrive inverter, including the IPOSplus integrated positioning and sequence control system. The drive inverters have a wide power range, large overload capacity, and a modular design. In addition, they facilitate unrestricted application of AC drives, featuring the most modern digital inverter technology, according to Maxolution Engineer. Dylan Enslin.
For this particular project, Film Riggers used CM112 synchronous servomotors. Two 11 kW drives were used to secure the climber, and a 30 kW drive for the accompanying camera system.
Terrell was given access to the OEM’s electronics workshop to configure a miniature setup of the system, based on a 0,55 kW Movidrive drive inverter. This allowed for more controlled and refined testing, allowing Terrell to ultimately scale up the solution to the specific requirements of the project.
Commenting on the challenges, Hüfner says that Film Riggers had the dual responsibility of winching the camera platform up and down, in addition to securing Robert and ensuring his safety during filming.
“The idea was for the camera to be seen to be almost in pursuit of him, then tilting as it went past and tracking him,” elaborates Terrell. “Due to changes made at the last minute, we had to adjust the programming in order to cater for the new reference points needed for the rigging. While this is a unique application of the Movidrive inverter technology, it is an excellent example of the flexibility and innovation of SEW-Eurodrive in responding to specific customer requirements and offering tailor-made solutions capable of adapting to the latest developments.”
A technological leap with the proportional valve terminal Festo South Africa
Editor's Choice
Festo continually makes bold technological leaps to keep pace with global advancements. Controlled Pneumatics is redefining the boundaries of compressed air technology to meet the demands of today’s most advanced applications.
Read more...PC-based control optimises robotic parts handling on plastics machinery Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
NEO is a cartesian robot developed by INAUTOM Robótica in Portugal for parts removal on plastics machinery. Its aim is to increase system productivity. NAUTOM Robótica has entered into a strategic partnership with Bresimar Automação to increase the working speed of the cartesian robots using advanced control and motion solutions from Beckhoff. The result is a comprehensive, future-proof automation solution for its entire family of cartesian robots.
Read more...Heavy impact, smart control Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Every now and then a project lands on your desk that’s equal parts heavy machinery and fine control - a tantalising mix for any engineer. A client approached Axiom Hydraulics with a project exactly like this.
Read more...Driving fluid power forward
Editor's Choice
The National Fluid Power Association is developing its latest Industrial Technology Roadmap for 2025, showing how hydraulics and pneumatics are changing to meet new industrial demands.
Read more...World’s hottest engine
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Scientists have built the world’s smallest engine. It’s also the world’s hottest. It could provide an unparalleled understanding of the laws of thermodynamics on a small scale, and provide the foundation for a new, efficient way to compute how proteins fold.
Read more...Next-gen planetary gearboxes SEW-EURODRIVE
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Leading the way in planetary gear unit innovation, SEW-EURODRIVE is extending its reach across a growing range of industries, delivering the advantages of this powerful technology through locally engineered solutions that ensure faster lead times.
Read more...Single DDI cable solution simplifies connectivity SEW-EURODRIVE
Shaft power components
Cabling can be one of the most challenging aspects of automation and drive system installations, often leading to delays, faults and inefficiencies. SEW-EURODRIVE offers a solution that simplifies connectivity, its innovative Digital Data Interface technology combined with a single cable system.
Read more...Building skills and sharing knowledge for growth in Africa SEW-EURODRIVE
News & events
As a leading provider of drive and automation solutions across the continent, SEW-EURODRIVE recognises that local insight and on-the-ground capability are critical to delivering effective sustainable results. The company continues to invest in people development and technical training within its network of African subsidiaries and partners, supporting the long-term growth of its customers and the broader industrial ecosystem.
Read more...Reinventing the wheel
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Once a curiosity in the early automotive age, in-wheel motors are now re-emerging with real promise. From electric cars to commercial vehicles and even aircraft, they are on the verge of transforming transportation engineering.
Read more...Redefining motion control with Festo’s vision for seamless and intelligent automation Festo
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The quest for precision, flexibility and efficiency continues to shape the future of industrial automation, and Festo, as a long-standing leader in automation technology, stands firmly at the forefront of this movement, driving innovation and setting the benchmark for excellence.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version