SLIDEKAMERA BULL HEAD Remote Controlled Head User Manual

SLIDEKAMERA BULL HEAD Remote Controlled Head

pdf version of the manual available for download: www.slidekamera.com

Before you start your work with the Slidekamera BULL HEAD remote-controlled head we strongly recommend reading the manual carefully. Please note that using the head in a manner inconsistent with the manual can cause damage or malfunction that the manufacturer is not responsible for.

Slidekamera ®
High Engineering Technology CNC s.c. Sebastian Pawelec Karol Mikulski Glina 45 82-522 Sadlinki VAT Identification Number: 581-188-33-32

• tel./fax (+48) 58 710 41 04
• e-mail: biuro@slidekamera.com
• www.slidekamera.com

Technical specification

Elements of the head

Set includes

1. BULLHEAD remote-controlled head
2. AION 2D controller
3. steering cable: 5 meters
4. 1/4” camera head screw
5. 3/8” camera head screw
6. AC adapter
7. transport case with foam insert
8. user manual

Construction

Thanks to the use of worm gears and steering, that maintain steady speed regardless of the load, the head does not require precise balancing. Compact and cased construction ensures long and problem-free operation. The mounting bracket [1] moves up and down, allowing to set the accessories in the rotation axis of the head. Four adjustable clamping levers [2] facilitate rigid mounting of the mounting bracket. Accessories are mounted on the mounting bracket with the use of 1/4” lub 3/8” screws.

BULLHEAD is equipped with a TRIGGER socket to connect our device with a photo camera using a proper shutter release cable, thus allowing for interval shots synchronized with a slow movement of the head.

1. IN socket – to connect a controller or SLIDE LINK wireless adapter
2. OUT socket – control output for another Slidekamera device (connect to its IN socket)
3. Power socket
4. TRIGGER – Shutter release cable socket

Driving motor markings

LINK| A green light indicates, that the controller cable is properly connected.
---|---
When the orange light flashes slowly the user is informed, that the driving motor is

Rx is powered but is not receiving any command from the controller.

When the orange light starts flashing rapidly this indicates that the driving motor received

a command from the controller.

FAULT| The flashing light indicates an existing error.

Power supply

BULLHEAD can be powered by many 10-17V DC power sources (min. 40W power output), such as:

• AC power adapter (included in the set)
• external battery – Slidekamera AF-7 power pack
• battery with a D-tap connector (e.g. V-lock battery)

Mounting

A 3/8” hole in the head base allows you to mount it on other devices equipped with 3/8” screws, such as sliders, cranes, and tripods.

PLEASE NOTE
Do not tighten up the BULLHEAD by holding its housing, as it may damage the motor gear! There are holes in the base of the head, that are used to tighten up the device. Insert an appropriate tool (such as a screwdriver or hex key) into the hole and use it to tighten the mounting screw.

To mount the BULLHEAD faster and easier, use an additional quick-release plate [1], that secures the head and helps to mount the unit correctly.

Connections

BULLHEAD can be controlled by a wide range of devices (AION controllers, SLIDE LINK wireless adapter, etc.) and work with other elements of the motion control system, such as slider motors. Many devices can be connected to one controller and the order of the devices is not important. Connecting BULL HEAD to the controller and other devices:

• connect controller (e.g. AION 2D, SLIDE LINK) to the first device of your choice, to its IN socket using the steering cable
• further device (if there is any) connect by connecting its IN socket with the OUT socket of the previous device
• connect power supply to devices, that require an external power source for their motors (heads, sliders, etc.)
• controlling devices may include their batteries or be powered by steering cable

Examples of connecting BULL HEAD with other devices:

AION 2D controller

Joystick and the knobs are located on the front panel of the controller. Electric connector sockets and the power switch are located on the top wall of the controller housing.

Front panel

1. joystick 5 5

2. MEM keys

3. INVERT keys

4. DAMPING knobs

5. SPEED knobs
   The top wall of the housing:

6. power switch

7. steering output socket

Working with BULLHEAD and AION 2D

The set includes an AION 2D wired controller. You can control the BULLHEAD wirelessly with an additional Wi-Fi adapter SLIDE LINK and mobile app on your tablet with an Android or iOS operating system.

Basic functions of the AION 2D controller

Live mode

• accurate and intuitive control thanks to a precise joystick
• smooth change of maximum speed (1-100% of the motor’s top speed)
• precise control of soft start/stop (from 0.1 to 5 seconds)
• the quick reverse of the movement direction of any axis (by one click)
• greater precision of control thanks to the ability to change joystick characteristics (LIN <-> LOG)
• separate disable for every axis

record/playback:

• 3 banks of non-volatile memory for motion recording and playing back
• playback always starts from the same point (exactly where the recording has begun)
• smooth control over the playback speed (by SPEED knob of the X axis)
• ability to loop playback

calibration and settings:

• easy and fast calibration (setting the range of the movement) of every axis
• the memory of user settings (reverse of the movement direction of any axis, joystick characteristics) and saved trajectories

Controlling the motion
The precision and ergonomics of the controlling device are provided by an analog joystick. The deflection of the stick dynamically changes the speed of the head’s rotation. There are two modes to choose from: LIN (joystick’s position translates linearly to the speed of the rotation) and LOG (this mode gives more precise control at low rotation speed). SPEED knobs allows to change the top speed of a particular axis. Turning the knob clockwise increases the speed, which corresponds to the extreme position of the joystick. Turning the knob counter-clockwise lowers the speed and eventually turns the axis off (INVERT key backlight will turn off). RAMP knobs allow to change soft start and stop of a particular axis. Turning the knob clockwise will increase the time of fluid acceleration. Smooth deceleration occurs when the joystick returns to the center (neutral) position.

PLEASE NOTE: If the joystick is pushed rapidly in the opposite direction, the head will stop immediately (without smooth deceleration) and will start to rotate in the opposite direction.

INVERT switches allow to:

• change the direction of a particular axis (with one click)
• change the joystick’s characteristics (LIN<->LOG) of a particular axis – by holding the key (>0.7s). The backlight color indicates chosen characteristics (LIN – green, LOG – red).

Record and playback
AION 2D controller has 3 banks of non-volatile memory (recorded motion is saved even if the controller is turned off and the power supply is disconnected). In every bank, there can be recorded one trajectory. The maximum duration of the recording is 200s for MEM 1 and 100s for MEM 2 and MEM 3.

Record
To start recording, hold the chosen MEM key (the backlight of the button will start flashing). Use the controller as normal. The motion will be recorded. You can use SPEED and DAMPING knobs the same way, as in Live mode. To stop recording, press the MEM key. The recording will stop automatically when it reaches the time limit.

Playback
To play back the recorded movement trajectory press the corresponding MEM key (the backlight of the button will turn on). To stop playing back press the MEM key once again. During playing back you can adjust the speed of the motion with the SPEED knob of the X-axis. To enable LOOP mode (playing back in the loop) start playback by pressing the MEM key twice (“double-click”).

Going to the start position
Playback always starts from the same position, from which the record has been started. The head has to reach this point before playing back the recorded trajectory. During this motion, the INVERT key is flashing. By using DAMPING knobs before playing back, you can ease reaching the starting point and reduce unwanted vibrations. Speed and acceleration of the head’s return to the start position can be controlled by SPEED and DAMP knobs.

Calibration

AION 2D has a calibration feature – memory of extreme positions, that will never be exceeded. This prevents breaking off cables or damaging the camera. Each axis is calibrated separately. To calibrate a particular axis, press and hold (>5s) its INVERT button. The Backlight of the INVERT button will start flashing red and green, at the same time backlight of the MEM 1 button will start flashing. Go to the first extreme position of the axis, that is being calibrated and press MEM 1 to save it. The Backlight of the MEM 1 button will turn off, the MEM 3 button will start flashing. Set the head in the second extreme position and press the MEM 3 to save it. The calibration of the first axis is finished. If necessary, repeat the above steps for the second axis. BULLHEAD will store calibration in its memory, even if the power supply is disconnected. If the working conditions haven’t been changed, the head is ready to work immediately after turning it on.

Maintenance and operation

BULLHEAD remote-controlled head does not need any additional service or lubrication of the components. Maintenance procedures are reduced to keeping the equipment clean.

Terms of warranty

All Slidekamera products are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for 12 months from the date of sale. The warranty covers production faults and material defects, which result in the product malfunctioning. The warranty covers the repair, or, if the repair proves impossible, the replacement of the product with a new one. However, the cost of repair of the product cannot overrun the catalog value of the product. The warranty does not cover damage and/or product defects resulting from improper usage, as well as not following product maintenance specifications.

The warranty excludes:

• unauthorized attempts to repair or modify
• mechanical damage caused during transport and operation of such features as scratches, dents, pits, dirt, etc.
• flooding, moisture

To obtain warranty service the purchaser should deliver the damaged product together with a proof of purchase or proof of payment (invoice, cash register receipt). The product will be accepted for warranty service on the condition, that it is delivered with a correctly filled-in complaint form and properly protected during transport. The complaint form is available for download at: www.slidekamera.com After the warranty period is exceeded any spare parts can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or at any selected points of sale.

PLEASE NOTE
Any package sent at the expense of HET-CNC s.c., 80-175 Gdańsk, ul. Kartuska 386 will not be received.

References

• Slidekamera® - Motion Control Sliders & Specialty Gear for Filmmakers - [slider, remote head, camera jib, multi-axis wireless controllers, camera rigs accessories]

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