The new PC-based "error log system" at Bromma Airport.

Bromma airport in Stockholm has installed a new PC-based “error log system” equipped with almost boundless 3D visualization and history log capacity.

“We are very pleased with the system and how easy it is to make changes and add comments. We can also incorporate new issues and further develop system functions. “It is working very well and visually it looks great. I never thought that this 3D graphical view would be possible. We have a complete visualization of the threshold- , runway-, center line-, cross bar- and the stop lights. The status of the  lights, type of armatures and cables are immediately visible. The system is easy to grasp and we are using it full time today. We are not following the development at Bromma but are leading it.” Says Anders Hägglund, head of electricity and telecommunication at Bromma airport.

Bromma airport was inaugurated in 1936. Every year one million people choose to travel to and from Bromma . Last year (2005) Bromma airport had 53 091 take offs and landings.

Every part of the electrical technology at the runway area is controlled by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).  This includes control of  all runway lights and electrical connection boxes, as well as sensors for rain, snow, and temperature.

Visual act has developed the PC system for supervising and logging all the electrical activities at the airport runway.

“Almost everything is logged. We can see what´s happening at the runway, For example the changing of light bulbs, how often a runway light has been hit by a snow plough etc.” Says Jarl Erson-Wester, Visual act, who has developed the PC based “error log system” for Bromma Airport.

Visual act has developed this system in cooperation with Rowall Svenska AB.

The stage wagons at the Muziektheater rest on air casters and can be tracked or manually moved about the stage.  Visual act is in the process of rebuilding the wagons so as to allow for automated movement.  Each wagon will be fitted with cassettes containing Visual act drive modules and control equipment.  The cassettes slide into the ends of the 200mm high wagons.  Air pressure is used to lower the drive units to the floor and maintain an even load on the drive wheels regardless of the load on the wagons.

The wagons can be operated individually or in combination.  A group of 5 allows the movement of an entire set to or from the stage.  The wagons will have all the features of the Visual act Advanced system – including wireless control and accurate navigation.

Installation at Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam, The Netherland

The Finnish National Opera has invested in two Visual act Advanced Stage Wagons today used for the Opera “The Hour of the Serpent “.

"The Hour of the Serpent" at the Finnish National Opera - Photo: Stefan Bremer

“We are really satisfied with the wagons and the artistic possibillities they have brought in to the performance. Everything has been going very well. My work is much easier today. When you learn things the wagons are easy to use, and now when the performance is over I want to dig deep into the technic of the wagon” says Kim Juntunen responsible Stage Wagon operator at The Helsinki Opera.

“Director Erik Söderblom together with set designers Kati Lukka and Antti Mattila have done a spectacular job in making use of the technology available at the Opera to a virtuoso extreme.” – Hufvudstadsbladet, J.G. H, Helsinki.

“The Hour of the Serpent” is a romantic tale of fervour and death, set to voluptuously rich and beautiful music by Mikko Heiniö.

Conductor Hannu Lintu
Director Erik Söderblom
Sets Kati Lukka, Antti Mattila
Costumes Pirjo Liiri-Majava
Lighting design Tarja Ervasti
Libretto Juha Siltanen

We invite you to visit Visual act at the Hall Stage stand A56.
PLASA 2006, 10-13 September 2006. PLASA06 – Live at Earls Court.

The Visual act Stage Control System is the perfect solution for modern stage Automation. The system can move and position any theatrical equipment, from simple battens and revolves to complicated multiple axis machines.

The Stage Control System, Visual act Advanced wagons and Visual Act 3D offer unmatched opportunities to both designers and technicians.

New at this year’s Plasa is Visual act 3D. The3D system offers interactive and online commissioning, programming and operation of multi-axis motion.

Visual act is a high tech company, developing and constructing equipment for theatre, show business and the film industry. Visual act provide mechanical engineering solutions in combination with high end software driven control system to provide synchronised motion control within a theatrical environment. Apart from permanent installations and upgrading existing constructions Visual act also manages theatre performances, musicals and different kind of shows and exhibitions. Projects vary from simple constructions to very complex computer controlled machinery moving in 3D.

Our goals are set high and we always strive for a constant development and improvement of our products and settings. We are working on the international stage so we want you to have good knowledge of Swedish and English, both spoken and written. The main Visual act office is situated in Stockholm, but there will be a need to travel to theatres or shows when required.

Requirements
Candidates should have an academic degree in Master of Engineering, Computer Science or similar. You should have a firm understanding of servo control and have exceptional mathematic skills.

Your programming skills should include the following;
C/C++
Basic
Linux
Windows

Conditions of employment
Permanent employment
Fulltime
Fixed salary negotiable

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Kristian Franck, Managing Director
jobs@visualact.se

Mr. Andy Colhoun is a warm, humorous, creative and skilled engineer with extensive experience in electronic hardware and software development and with robot automation processing.

At his last position as Automation Project Engineer at the Gustavsberg factory outside Stockholm, he was responsible for mechanical/electrical construction and PLC programming.

Before that he was employed at Motorola GMBH, in Germany, working with analysis and solutions for various technical problems and electronic hardware.  He has also tested and developed printed circuit boards at Unisys Ltd. and worked with robots of all shapes and sizes.  As a singer in a band he is already well acquainted with stage technology.

Andy is originally from Scotland and is today living in Stockholm with his wife and two children.

Visual act welcomes Andy to the team.

Visual act has, together with the Canadian stunts company Velocity Stunts, developed a new revolutionary 3D Flying System for film and theatre. The system provides for extremely flexible stunt flying and camera movement.

Visual act´s Jim Fainberg and Daniel Boll will demonstrate the 3D Flying System graphically on site at the ABTT Theatre show 2006.

Visual act is placed at stand 100 together with the theatre engineering company Hall Stage.

Visual act has been awarded the contract to refurbish the stage machinery at the Kongelige Teater at Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen, Denmark.   One of the advantages of Visual act’s offer was their ability to extend the lives of the exiting DC motors by supplying modern intelligent drives.

In addition to the new control electronics for 36 flybar Hoists (DC motors) the scope of work includes the installation of a Stage Control System with four portable control desks and redundant servers; upgrading 6 lighting bridges (AC motors) for increased lifting capacity, installation of 4 new manually moveable Point Hoists (AC servo motors) and a complete upgrade of the old revolving stage (DC motors).

The refurbishing process at the Kongelige Teater in Copenhagen is in many ways special and in some ways unique. Visual act will build on the experience gained in upgrading the flying system at the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo, Norway 2004.   This installation also proved Visual act’s ability to complete the job within the short 6 week summer vacation.

Often the old DC motors are exchanged for AC motors, but we have good experience keeping them. It is a cost efficient way, as the DC motor drives have very good capacity and durability, says design engineer Niklas Philipson at Visual act AB.

The work is being carried out during the period  between June 5th, 2006 and July 28th 2006.

Kongelige Teatern Copenhagen official homepage

Visual act has developed the 3D Flying System together with the Canadian stunt company Velocity Stunts. It is a computer controlled performer flying and camera movement system.

Dave Lane, President of the Velocity Stunts says: “This system will practically revolutionize the movie business. Many of the difficult and dangerous movements we stunts are doing will be easier and less dangerous to perform.”

The Visual act Stage Control System is designed to operate any type of intelligent machinery including fly systems, stage lifts and motorized wagons. Visual act 3D is an add-on module for Visual act’s Stage Control System. Visual Act 3D is at the forefront of an entirely new, groundbreaking concept in motion control. The designer’s only concern is the movement of the object, not the drives that move it.

Ms Günay Kulbay and Jim Fainberg from Visual act is monitoring Dave Lane from Velocity Stunts inc.

Visual act 3D offers an interactive workspace for creating, commissioning, programming and operating 3D flying objects. Objects are created quickly and easily by selecting an object type and entering appropriate coordinates. Paths are created by dragging points on the screen. The operator can also choose to move an object with the 3D joysticks and create a path from the saved movement, either online or through simulation.

The system can operate winches capable of speeds of over 10 meters per second. Paths can be played back at low speeds and stopped at any point for camera or lighting adjustments. Several objects can be operated simultaneously, their motions synchronized or started at will. Teach-in allows the operator to move an object freely with the joysticks, using the resulting path as the basis of a new movement. Visual act 3D is the interface between creative thought and technical solutions.

Cerium Power Converter. One for each winch

Visual act winches

Visual act Control Desk