Highlighted at PLASA 07 are two newly launched hoist control products - Smart 8 and Sentinel - along with other innovations including Kinesys' K2 control software.
The Smart 8 expands on Kinesys' existing Power 8 product and offers full positioning facilities built into a standard hoist controller. Smart 8 allows fixed speed encoded hoists to be programmed and controlled from a single unit, offering cost savings over the traditional approach of a combination of separate motor controllers and a position controller. Additionally, flexibility is maximised as the Smart 8 can be located near the motors it is controlling and doesn't need to be operated from a central location.
The Smart 8 comes in low voltage and direct control versions and accepts both traditional pulse encoders and the more precise incremental encoders. Cues can be programmed directly into the Smart 8 using its large graphical LCD display and jog wheel interface, or can be downloaded from Kinesys' K2 or Vector software packages. Once programmed, cues can be triggered either from the controller, from another connected unit or via DMX.
Sentinel is a range of fully BGV C1 compliant controllers designed to work with CM Lodestar BGV C1 chain hoists. The Sentinel range has been developed from the ground up to be fully compliant with the BGV C1 specification for chain hoists. The unit is designed for use with the BGV C1 compliant variants of CM Lodestar motors which offer users a wide variety of lifting weights and speeds.
Central to the stand will be K2, Kinesys' 3D motion control programming and playback system. This programme offers versatility to show programmers/designers, allowing complex cues to be programmed and played back visually on screen - for instant feedback.
(Jim Evans)
