An original collaboration

German company IDEA VISION GmbH specializes in mechanical and electronic systems for the cinematographic industry.  It designs and manufactures equipment able to support and stabilize cameras, when capturing action movies, news reports and documentaries often made in difficult shooting conditions.
The company also stands out for its stabilized camera platforms, offering German quality standards, maximum flexibility of use, easy handling and rapid attachment to different transport platforms.

- Stabilization system for camera movements from Idea Vision GmbH, Image provided by IDEA VISION -

The challenge: How to reduce vibrations and the damping of camera impact shocks during filming?

The stabilization system, weighing 14 kg, is designed to guarantee enhanced performance for optimal quality of sharp images, despite the vibrations and violent shocks that can be encountered during filming. Designed to stabilize the use of underslung and overhanging film cameras, gimbals or camera heads, it is mainly used by professionals to compensate for shocks and vibrations encountered in difficult environments, such as cars on racetracks, motorcycles in rough terrain, boats at sea, or other fast-moving equipment.

IDEA VISIONS spring-loaded system did not alaways ensure gentle stops at the end of the stroke, causing the camera to move abruptly and affecting image quality. With an Eddy current brake the designers incorporated an adjustable linear induction brake as well as a strong spring system to ensure stable shooting conditions. However, in some cases this failed to effectively limit the maximum suspension travel, exposing the camera to unwanted impacts that could damage the equipment and compromise shooting.

ACE's solution

- Stabilization system on a race track, Image provided by IDEA VISION -

To handle this problem and improve operating comfort by ensuring gentle stops at the end of spring travel, it is necessary to add shock absorbers. These complementary shock absorbers are essential to effectively reduce vibration and impact shock, providing enhanced support and safety for the camera in these rugged environments.

To implement this solution, IDEA VISION called on our long-standing partner ACE to support them in this project.

ACE, offers many standard solutions designed using dedicated calculation and configuration tools. However, for this project, and due to the variability of equipment weights and their specific use during filming, where each tracking shot is unique, customized solutions were required.

After a few tests... and an unsuccessful attempt with miniature shock absorbers, ACE technician Hans-Jürgen Greindl recommended TUBUS profile absorbers.

The TR 83-50 series of TUBUS profile dampers proved to be a success for the customer.

- Camera stabilization system to avoid camera wobble, Image during action scenes photo provided by IDEA VISION -

TUBUS technology & results

These profile dampers are, made of co-polyester elastomer, and offer considerable advantages in a variety of environments:

- Decelerate masses under extreme conditions;
- Provide long, gentle deceleration with gradual energy reduction at the end of the stroke;
- Easy integration into existing constructions thanks to compact design;
- Maintenance-free, ready-to-install products;
- Heat up only very slightly, guarantees constant damping;
- Offer enhanced safety for camera movements;
- Resistant to individual loads with an energy absorbtion of up to 45 Nm/cycle.

- TUBUS absorbers series - TR 83-50 -

Profil dampers have successfully found their place, proving their reliability and fulfilling their function perfectly.
Their efficiency in reducing vibrations and impact shocks and their low heat generation, which guarantees constant damping, have made these absorbers the ideal solution for stabilizing cameras in difficult environments.

They considerably enhance action scenes filmed with the new and improved Hybris shock absorber, which promises to produce even more stable, high-quality images.
IDEA VISION is fully satisfied with these results and looks forward to action scenes filmed with the new and improved Hybris shock absorber.

Discover in video Hybris, the camera movement stabilization system

Click on this article to learn more about the effectiveness of ACE's damping technologies, and watch a demonstration.

Discover all our ACE damping technologies

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