Happy Christmas and welcome to the December edition of ‘Our Focus’.  In this edition we focus on our design and build philosophy and show how we strive to achieve the highest quality in our heads and controllers.  

When we first started building pan tilt heads and controllers (last century!) we had very limited workshop facilities so had to work within our capabilities. Using only 2D drawings and without any CNC machines (Computer Numerical Control) everything was done manually, so complicated shapes were very difficult. Back then, even most outsourced machine shops didn’t have CNC machines and needed everything on paper drawings with every little detail described and dimensioned.  Looking back, this seems ridiculous by today’s standards.

Today, we still work within our capabilities but with 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CNC machines in-house, our capabilities have surged forward and we are now limited only by our imagination and included technology.

For the mechanical parts we have continued with machined aluminium. We also use custom manufactured aluminium and silicone extrusions for our controllers.  The more usual technology by other manufacturers is pressed steel and plastic which is cheaper but doesn’t have the inherent strength, accuracy or corrosion resistance that we feel is important. Aluminium can be anodized and dyed many colours which gives a much harder wearing finish than paint.

Outer covers are manufactured in various materials. Carbon Fibre for many products but with recent material advances we often use 3D printed plastics which are amazingly strong, particularly if impregnated with carbon fibre.  3D printing also gives huge flexibility in the shapes and fits we can employ.  The finish is now so good it’s impossible to tell if it was 3D printed or moulded, even with our experience.

Our electronics is also designed in-house, utilising over 20years of experience in motor and camera control along with data transport, including IP and fibre.  Each PCB is designed around the space and shapes within which it needs to fit and is dedicated to that product.

Although our bare boards are mainly manufactured abroad, they are all delivered to us for re-distribution to our UK PCB population specialists.  These are the guys that put all the components onto the PCBs.  Some components are so small you would think they are just dust on the bench and others have over 100 connections at 0.5mm spacing.  These need to be x-rayed at high magnification to check they have ‘floated’ onto the PCB correctly.  Having this done in the UK gives us the security that it’s done properly, and we can sort out any issues quickly.

Software is an ever-changing sea – easy to drown in, if not careful!  This is probably the most challenging part.  Making sure any updates have no downsides, especially when doing special modifications for individual customers.  We strive to make sure that even controllers and cameras made many years ago will still work together with our more modern equipment.  This can be difficult, and we sometimes forget just how far things have progressed over the years.

If you would like to visit our factory, in the heart of the New Forest UK, and see for yourself how we do things you would be very welcome.  Just contact us to arrange a date.

And for those of you that have read this far. we are offering a 10% Christmas Discount on stock items.  This offer is valid until December 31st, 2024.