Dundee Rep Revolving Stage
For Carousel 2013 a 6m diametre revolving stage was borrowed from Dundee Rep, the surrounding stage and ramps were built by RCS workshops.
The first thing to look at with this is powering it. It requires a 16Amp 3-phase supply. The available supply in the Atheneaum is 125A 3-phase. In order to reduce this we required jumps, distro and a variable RCD, which for this production we hired from Tower Productions, Edinburgh. (Tel: 0131 552 0100)
Distro Hired from Tower Productions
( Note: This is also the order in which it should be connected from the venue supply to the revolve motor control.)
- 125Amp 3-phase to 63Amp 3-phase Jump
- 63A 3-phase in-line variable RCD
- 3metre 63A 3-phase extension
- 63A 3-phase to x2 32A 3-phase & x1 16A 3-phase distribution box
- 20m 16A 3-phase extension
Revolve Operation
Once the revolve is built and powered up it can be operated from the control box. For Carousel it was situated in the DSL wing by the DSM position, allowing the operator a direct line of sight to the revolve. The operator also had a monitor showing a view from overhead of the revolve to allow them to check the edge was clear and to mark stopping positions on.
Unfortunately with this revolve a cue stack cannot be created and as we also experienced issues with it slipping or losing it's count (position) the revolve had to be stopped and started manually on the control desk, rather than programming a stopping point (which was in theory possible). For this the operator marked her monitor with points to hit stop at so it would decelerate and stop at the correct point.
Revolve Operation
Power up
Chief Electrician or Venue Technician to turn on mains at wall.
Ensure Revolve Clear
- Beige box on floor DSL - turn red switch to on.
Wait for consol (black box on table) to boot up and show main screen.
Check both Emergency stops released
- Pull E-stop on Consol up.
- Twist and release e-stop on side of prompt desk.
Press green button on beige box (it should click).
Set up
Once powered up the revolve will require zeroed as it forgets this information when turned off.
- To set zero press (and hold briefly) the jog (joystick logo) activate button until the logo flips down.
- Press and hold clockwise jog button (CALL REVOLVE MOVING) to turn Revolve until it finds zero. The START button (at top) will activate and the degree count will start counting.
The Revolve is now ready to programme.
Note: Each cue will require programming prior to running (no cue stack).
Operation and Cue programming
To programme start with the Settings screen
The direction, speed, number of revolutions and stop position is set here.
Direction
- Clockwise (CW)
- Counter clockwise (CCW)
Speed (in revolves per minute)
- Fastest speed – 3
- Slowest speed – 0.5
Revolutions
- Number of revolutions from zero
When counting revolutions revolve will start count from the point where it reaches zero, turn the number of requested revolutions then add on the stop position. (e.g. if the revolve was sitting at 5 degrees, was set to 3 revolutions and had a stop position of 180 degrees – it would run the following 355 degrees to zero, revolve 3 complete times and then run from 0 to 180.)
Stop position
- From 0.0 to 359.9
To revolve one complete turn from zero the revolve must be set to zero revolutions and then programmed to stop at 359.9 as it will not recognise a 0 to 0 command.
Setting Acceleration and deceleration
To set this, go into the System screen.
The fastest acceleration and deceleration speed is 10 degrees.
Note: this is very sudden and causes sudden movement, particularly noticeable at higher speed settings. The revolve is also prone to slipping when set to decelerate suddenly from speed.
Also in System page
Teach setting – this is only to be used to completely reset the revolve in case of large discrepancy in the position; it allows the revolve to relearn all it’s positions – this must only be done by TSM or Workshop.
Index/constant – switches revolve between just turning continually and operating to marked points.