DMX motors/ chainhoists

[legacy]

Anyone know if there are DMX controlled Winches/ chain hoists. I am in the design stages of three Projector rigs that will require up and down movement. These units will be total units with 3000 lumen projectors and 12 x 9 rear projection. I will need to lower them and raise them by programing.. there will be a total of three units..... I can do it several ways but having a DMX controlled hoist would be lots easier.. thanks

[Footer]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... NO THEY DO NOT EXIST NOR SHALL THEY EVER EXIST. DMX is the worst motion controller ever. There is no redundancy or checksum, therefore there is no feedback or real control. DMX works great for lights, not good for show control. What you can do is get a motor controller that takes DMX cues and through a dead man switch the motors will move, i.e. if the switch is not pressed they will not move. Thats the safest way to do it. Think about it, do you really want to be pageing through cues and have the US truss move?

[JSFox]

Since DMX lacks error handling and positive acknowledgement capabilities I'd think you'd have a difficult time finding anyone making any systems for controlling motors with it due to potential dangerous outcomes. There are a number of companies that make motor control and animation systems for this type of thing though but you'll need a specific person controlling it (and watching everything for safety).

[avkid]

The closest DMX should ever get to motors is the control light that tells the operator when to go.
DMX should not be used for:
Rigging control
Pyro
DMX is for lighting!

[avkid]

http://www.jrclancy.com/

[What Rigger?]

DMX bad.

On the other hand, AMX good! Real good!

[jmabray]

Originally Posted by What Rigger?

DMX bad.
On the other hand, AMX good! Real good!

Please clarify. I am assuming that you are talking about AMX, the automation company. Not AMX the old Strand Lighting Control signal....

DMX may be bad, but AMX is very very very very very very bad.

Jeff

[stantonsound]

DMX is bad, I think that we have established this. (Bad for motor controls, etc...) I agree.

Now, how can this be accomplished? There are several problems with just putting them on a fly system, or on chain motors. Neither is good for fine movements. You can get something in the ballpark, but that is it. Getting something that is exactly in place every time, that is difficult.

Take a look at the Apollo Right Arm. A projector can easily be mounted to one of these. You can at least move the projector, but it is porbably not what you are looking for.

[legacy]

thanks for the GOOD info. Had no idea that this was a problem. GLad I asked. For clarification, the units that I will be fabricating will be self contained. The Screen and projector will be flown together. Range of motion; approx' 14 feet, up and down. There are three such units that I will wont to move seperately at various times in show and out. I did some research and found a variety of control. I really want this to be operated from the light and mix position. This is going to be a Youth church seating 500 and they want something different. there will be a total of 4 screens. three as mentioned and one 16 footer that will lowered downstage (rear screen) for Simalcast and movie nights (with complete 5.1 surround, should be cool) We are the A/V contractors. So was just thinking outside the box and this list is a wealth of been there done that. Thanks for help as I continue my quest.

[icewolf08]

I am going to make another referral to Creative Conners Inc. for affordable motion control equipment. His system does not currently support any type of show control, but the Avista software is easy to operate and provides the operator with real time feedback on all motors and moving pieces. If you call them up, they will even help you design a system that fits your needs.