Remote robotic camera systems for the film and broadcast industry

     Filming a variety of dynamic scenes in movies or sports requires camera systems that are able to move quickly through space, track the target object (scene), and still maintain image stability and sharpness.

For these purposes, remotely operated robotic camera systems are used, which can be mounted either on a filming vehicle, helicopter, camera crane or trolley on rails. The movement of a camera so positioned can be controlled in up to six axes, which means that the camera is capable of a high degree of freedom of movement. The systems are designed to eliminate unwanted camera shake and vibrations that arise when filming in motion.

     To realize fast and precise camera movements, precise small-size gearless gearboxes capable of operating in a wide range of ambient temperatures and in all weather conditions are required. The ideal solution is to use TwinSpin® G series gearboxes, which have a high torque density (ratio of torque to gearbox dimensions and weight). With this parameter, the overall design of the camera system can be smaller in size and weight, reducing the overall inertia of the equipment, allowing for greater motion dynamics.

     TwinSpin® G series gearboxes are also available in the "hollowshaft" version, i.e. with a continuous input shaft hole, where cables for the drive and motion control of the individual axes of the camera system and for the power supply of the camera can be routed through this hole.

    The gearboxes in such camera systems also serve as a gyro stabilizer and provide mechanical image stabilization. This is done by counter-motion to the motion detected by the gyroscope. The gearboxes must react to any unwanted camera movement caused by uneven terrain, wind or vibrations from the equipment on which they are placed and keep the camera in the desired position. There is a high frequency of changes in the direction of movement by a small angular distance. TwinSpin® gearboxes, thanks to their backlash-free mechanism, high precision and low input inertia, can cope with such movements and thus enable reliable stabilization.

The advantages of using TwinSpin® in remote-controlled camera systems include the   following features:

- freewheel mechanism

- high positioning accuracy

- small size and light weight

- hollowshaft design

- high dynamic load capacity

- high rigidity and vibration resistance

- smooth output movement

- Reliability of operation in harsh conditions and wide temperature range

(-40 °C to 50 °C)

SPINEA® has been supplying its reduction gearboxes for several years to Filmotechnic, a leader in the development of special camera systems for the film industry. Their camera systems have been used on many successful feature films such as Fast and furious 9, James Bond, Mission impossible, Transformers, Transporter, Avatar, Hobbits, Tomb raider, Star wars, etc.