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Old December 22nd, 2007, 05:25 PM
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derekleffew derekleffew is offline
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Default Re: Kabuki Drop - dangerous?

Link? to the DMX Kabuki Drop? Dropping 20 pounds of china silk, (or for Van, tricot) spread out across 40'-60' isn't particularly dangerous, but accidental triggers can and do (seldom) happen with any automated system.

The problem with using DMX-512A (or any variant) is its inherent lack of error-checking. The receiving device is "dumb" and will do whatever it is told. There's a thread on "the other board" right now about whether or not adding a "deadman switch" is an appropriate safety device. All quality dangerous devices that use DMX or Midi, or MSC, will include a PLC to monitor for safety, often including a deadman, and only if all safety devices are secure, will execute what the DMX or other external trigger tells it to do.

As far as controlling everything with DMX, check out this, this, and that. Whether or not ACN is appropriate for controlling dangerous devices has yet to be addressed, as far as I know (or can remember).
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