Single Axis Controller

The Single Axis Controller brings absolute control with an intuitive, easy to use user interface to any motion system for live performance, film and television.

System Components

The Single Axis Controller comprises two main components: an operator console and an axis supervisor co-located with the actuator — the actuator could be a winch, a brushless DC motor, a hydraulic valve, etc. The operator console provides an intuitive graphical interface to set up dynamic parameters, jog, record and playback profiles. A remote control box allows operation up close to the action. A remote trigger box allows triggers events to be synchronized with actuator positions.

Operator Console

The Single Access Controller houses a touch screen app in conjunction with a physical UI.

An operator uses a ‘jog set’ to set up position limits and dynamic rules. A jog set may be defined as bidirectional or unidirectional. Each direction has independent parameters for velocity, accel/decel, jerk-time, stop-at-limit decel rate and jerk-time. Each direction may further define multiple ‘jog zones’ where different dynamic parameters apply over different position ranges within that jog set.

By using multiple jog sets, the operator can quickly switch between different contexts, such as moving between the ‘ones’ and load positions, or performing the move. Multiple jog sets may also be linked, which allows a sequence of moves separated by cues/triggers, or flow seamlessly from one to the next.

The Single Axis Controller can make recordings — profiles for playback or to browse with the paddle throttling the frame rate.

The Single Axis Controller also includes a UI to create trigger events, e.g. to fire a squib. Pulse and Latch type triggers may be output to multiple trigger channels. The triggers are available whether jogging or in playback mode. While jogging, a trigger may be assigned to passing a specified position, in a specified direction. In playback, a trigger may be assigned to an index/position in the profile. Go to our Trigger Box product page for more details.

Axis Supervisor

The axis supervisor (ASup) provides a standard interface for the controller to the actuator driver. Each actuator type requires a specific implementation. Examples of ASup’s implemented to date are for winches, hydraulic and pneumatic valves, and brushless DC motors.