Kinesys initially approached Carallon to help realize K2 because: "Their pedigree is second to none" explains Dave Weatherhead The Carallon design team has extensive experience producing specialist entertainment industry hardware and software, including iconic products such as the WholeHog range of digital lighting consoles. The team's track record, combined with their energy and enthusiasm for K2, meant Kinesys knew they'd found the right partner with the right skills.
K2 features several innovative elements. Its ability to work with the actual moving items is central to the programming philosophy. Any item (prop, scenery, lighting truss etc), be it flown, tracked or revolved can be dealt with in terms of its own movement - rather than the movement of the devices that support it.
This flexibility hugely simplifies the communication between designer and programmer. A request like "tilt another five degrees" is programmed logically and practically as exactly that - rather than the more clumsy 'this winch up, this winch down, etc' as is so often the case.
In order to accomplish this radical method of operation, K2 provides 3D viewers so that the movement of pieces can be monitored and programmed from any angle. The operator can move around anywhere and on any plane within their 3D world, flying their viewpoint camera in and around the objects as needed. Programming of motion is equally straightforward with a graphical 3D interface providing intuitive and easy to use controls.
K2 can control any device, from the humble chain hoist to the most sophisticated variable-speed winches. It will also operate existing Kinesys equipment for full backwards compatibility. Easy importing of 3D worlds and moving objects is possible via industry standard CAD packages. Motion effects, collision detection systems and many other powerful features are sure to make K2 the system of choice for motion control applications.
K2 will be demonstrated at a number of events over the summer stretching designers' imaginations and making plenty of waves throughout the automation industry.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
