PRG Scenic Technologies provided automation, control systems, scenery and lighting for the six automated display windows, each themed around 'It's Christmas in the City'. The holiday windows recently earned the platinum award (first place) in the 2005 DDI winning windows contest, given out by Design and Display Ideas magazine. "Winning the DDI Award is like winning the Oscar for best picture in our industry," remarks Paul Olszewski, Macy's director of windows, who hired PRG Scenic Technologies for the project. "It's the first time Macy's has won the award, and to win the top award is just amazing."
Creating the magic in the windows was no easy task. Macy's hired Michael Allen Designs to help realise the artistic vision and due to the complexity of the automation, to locate a company with specialised engineering capabilities. "Normally with other automated windows, it's just figures moving back and forth; I don't think most companies would be able to produce the complex automation that came from PRG Scenic Technologies," Olszewski says.
"The mechanics and structures barely fit within the physical structure of the windows. It was challenging to package in the tight spaces and also to work with much smaller scale components than on our typical projects," explains Jim Kempf, PRG Scenic Technology's mechanical designer.
The automation in each window is controlled by identical, but separate control packages, custom created by PRG Scenic Technologies. "A control package consists of a small programmable logic controller, up to six indexing AC Servo drives with matching AC servo motors. The drives have positioning capabilities which allow the storage and activation of multiple position profiles," says John Hennessey, PRG Scenic Technologies control engineer.
Reliability of the mechanical and control systems was critical. Although the windows are only on display for a limited time, the pop-up books in each window will open and close about 500 times a day from 7am to 11pm. "Each part moves at least 24,000 times over the run. It was challenging to design components that would not fatigue or wear out over time with minimal or no maintenance," describes Kempf. The Christmas windows will be on display until 3 January.
(Chris Henry)
