Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • COVID-19

Camera Updates Improve Picture Quality and Usability

By Laura Carrabine | September 16, 2010

Share

If you have watched a major sporting event on television in the last few years, you have likely seen the Skycam at work. The Skycam system is a broadcast-quality robotic camera, suspended from a cable-driven, computerized transport system. Skycam is the premier stabilized camera system in the world that can unobtrusively fly in a defined three-dimensional space, putting the viewer right in the middle of a sporting event. The camera package weighs 35-lbs and can travel at over 20 mph. Skycams are used to broadcast events such as professional football, college football, soccer, basketball, hockey and tennis.


Skycam’s manufacturer standardized on a Parker Hannifin 6-in. XPR PowerStation and Xpress software.

Skycam uses a reel control panel for each line attached to the camera. There are four control panels and corresponding reels per system, one in each corner of the venue. There are operators located at each panel who communicate with the pilot in the booth about the status of each reel and its corresponding control panel. These displays on each control panel are vital to the operation of the system as a whole because the operators have to be able to report any problems immediately so that there are no interruptions in the camera feed.


Skycam uses a reel control panel for each line attached to the camera. There are four control panels and corresponding reels per system, one in each corner of the venue.

For the human machine interface (HMI), Skycam was using a two-row, single-color VFD with 0 to 9 key touchpad. But the manufacturer wanted something easier to use and with more functionality, so it decided to standardize on a Parker Hannifin 6-in. XPR PowerStation and Xpress software.


Skycams are used at major sporting events throughout the country.

Jeff Rodgers of Innovative Automation, the system integrator, says, “We chose to lead with Parker’s XPR product because of the remote login capabilities, the ease of use and programming that are available with Interact Xpress, and the rugged construction of the screens as these systems are transported all over the country and are constantly unpacked, deployed, and repacked for a next game or event. Skycam wanted to purchase a U.S.-built product, one that is easily accessible from a factory, and have the ability to order spare parts quickly.”


Skycam system is a broadcast-quality robotic camera, suspended from a cable-driven, computerized transport system.

Using the Parker HMI products, they are now able to display more information about the status of each reel, as well as the ability to make changes to the servo drives in each cabinet, which greatly increase the effectiveness and ability of each operator to report back status and make changes on the fly – something that could not easily be done before. They plan to expand on the versatility of the XPR platform by using the remote login features from both a troubleshooting and set up standpoint. They will now be able to enter flight-limit parameters for each venue from one central location rather than going around to each separate panel and entering it, which takes a lot more time. They also enjoy the aesthetic features of the screens with their company logo as the home screen, giving their system a fresh new look that appeals to their end customers who are often as concerned with how the system looks on the outside as much as how it performs.

Skycam
www.skycam.tv

Parker Hannifin
www.parker.com

::Design World::

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Drilling rig OEM benefits from a PLC with edge computing technology: IIoT case study
  • The industry shift to smart electromechanical actuators
  • Commemorating a great entrepreneurial personality – Oskar Lapp at 100 – A pioneer for the future
  • SE motor – uncompromised motion performance
  • With virtual commissioning, commissioning time and prototype waste is reduced
  • Master Bond Supreme 10HT High strength, NASA low outgassing approved epoxy
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • COVID-19