CMU School of Drama


Sunday, September 21, 2008

Fisher Technical Services Navigator Automation System

Live Design: "Over the past decade, automation has gradually been shifting from something that scene shops and rigging companies do in-house as part of their construction efforts to a business in its own right. Las Vegas-based Fisher Technical Services, Inc. (FTSI) provides automation controls and machinery for the entertainment industry and builds complicated automated scenic pieces, including one of the most sophisticated theatrical automated props ever built: the chandelier for Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular"

6 comments:

Serrano said...

A somewhat informative, and fairly flattering article. The bio was interesting too.

Dave said...

A generic automation system seems like a hard thing to sell as every show is unique in its requirements for motor control. Though the idea of "Lego® Mindstorms® on steroids" approach seems intriguing

NatalieMark said...

I'm not sure the deivce is as universally applicable as the article claims. If it is this device would be a huge resource in future shows.

Derek said...

Well, the article makes the argument that the device is universally applicable, but not that its cheap. People keep saying that the fisher system being very usable and capable is an overstatement and can't be possible, but you havent worked with it, your just being skeptical. It is actually incredibly easy to work with. While Tait doesn't always use the Fisher winches, they now always use the control system, even for the simplest things. The thing that DOES make the system hard to use, is if you want to re-create it, or make it do something illegal. This is because the entire system comes in a closed box called a BDAC which you can't change, and you can't crack. They don't want people taking their ideas, and they dont want people killing people by bypassing their system.

BWard said...

they linked to tait's website? hahaha....


i keep trying to remember the name of this company and always seem to forget it... maybe it's because we haven't used their stuff here yet... (hinthintwinkwink)

Anonymous said...

Ok, who's got a friend of a friend that might have one that could fall off a truck for us to play with?

I like how if you fix your trim on an item it references across everything rather then the fun of reprogramming