FeM Super 3 En

7/31/2019 FeM Super 3 En

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SUPER PANTHER III (01/96)

Panther GmbH

Manufacture, Sales and Renta lof Cinematograp hic EquipmentRaiffeisenallee 3

82041 Oberhac hing-MunichPhone: + 49 (89) 613 900-01

Fax: + 49 (89) 613 1000

Operating Instruction 02/97


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Cont e nt s

page

Contents......................................................................................................................2

Prefac e ......................................................................................................................3

Safety guidelines........................................................................................................4

Super Panther III diagram ..........................................................................................5

Mechanical principles...............................................................................................6

Getting started ........................................................................................................... 7

Front p anel.................................................................................................................8

Selec tor switches........................................................................................................9

Driving p atterns........................................................................................................10

Programming ........................................................................................................... 11

Power supp ly ............................................................................................................ 12

Charging op tions.....................................................................................................13

Steering ....................................................................................................................14

Wheel legs................................................................................................................ 14

Wheel ad justment ....................................................................................................15

Turnstile attachment .................................................................................................15

Load tolerances diag ram........................................................................................16

Column..................................................................................................................... 17

Tracking....................................................................................................................18

Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 18

Back up operation ...................................................................................................19

Tec hnica l Specifica tions..........................................................................................20


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Pr e f a ce

Congratula tions on choosing the Super Panther III camera support system. The Super Panther IIIemploys state-of-the-art technology to give users optimum performanc e in the field of camera dollying.

Employing spec ially selec ted ma terials and high qua lity components, designed around a uniquecomp uter-controlled c olumn drive system, the Super Panther III offers you a whole new scope ofpractical app lication in studio and loca tion shooting.

The Super Panther III is robust and easy to operate, a nd yet it ena bles the cameraman to ob taincreative results in steady framing and smooth tracking. The Super Panther III was designed a nd b uilt byspecialist craftsmen for the professional user, in consultation with many expert cameramen andoperators.

In its own quiet way, the Super Panther III comb ines yea rs of experience and workmanship to put apowerhouse of technical progress in the hands of the user.

At Panther, we know you have a right to expect reliable, dramatic results. That's why we crea ted thePanther - so you can c reate the p ictures. Before you do, we'd like you to read our user instructionmanua l. It contains routine maintenance procedures and all the information you need to set up andoperate the Panther safely in every configuration.

Panther GmbH

All inquiries or comments should be addressed to the manufacturer or your local Panther dealer.


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Sa f e t y Gu i d el i ne s

1. Do not operate the dolly before these instructions have been read and understood. Safety rulesand servicing schedules must be observed.

2. The Super Panther III Dolly may only be operated by qualified personnel. You may participa te inone of our workshops which are arranged on request. Certifica tes are issued fo r each workshop.

3. The entire operating, panning and lift rang e of the dolly must be kept clear at all times.Panther GmbH has antic ipa ted the possible risk of squeezes/crushes to some extent byinstalling deformable fenders and warning signs.

4. Always assemb le the system with attention to balanc e (risk of tilting!). See load ing diagrams.Wheel leg s must be fully turned out. See wheel legs, p. 12.

5. Note: Do not use the dolly on slop ing surfac es or in vehic les. Sec ure the Super Panther III toprevent rolling. The ground must be stab le and unyielding, a lso when trac ks are being used.

6. The column is supported by pneumatic springs which have a high pressure!! If da maged,incorrec tly adjusted, or if force has been used, the column may independently move out withgreat force. Check the drive be lt for wear or dama ge every 6 months or after 100 hours ofoperation. The belt should be rep laced at least every 2 years as a safety preca ution. Note: Forall maintenance procedures, first extend the column fully to minimize pneumatic p ressure. Thedo lly should only be repa ired b y technical personnel trained by the manufacturer. Pleasearrang e a n app ointment for training with Panther GmbH.

7. General electrica l guide lines must be observed during elec trica l operation and maintenance.Protect the equipment from moisture and humidity.


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The Sup er Panther III Dolly

1. Euro ad ap ter - p. 15 9. Motor - p. 4

2. Turnstile attachment - p. 13 10. Battery - p. 10, 113. Friction screw - p. 13 11. Steering rod - p. 124. Turnstile attac hment brake - p. 13 12. Wheel leg - p. 125. Column platform - p. 15 13. Steering chain - p. 12, 166. Guide runner - p. 15 14. Wheel leg adjustment lever - p. 127. Front panel - p. 6, 7, 8 15. Komb i wheel - p. 12, 13, 168. Adjustab le sea t-extension - p. 13 16. Handset - p. 9


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Me c ha ni c a l Pr i nc i p l e s

Understand ing the Super Panther III dolly's mec hanic al p rinc iples helps to avoid errors in operation.Following is a brief summary of the main points.

The motor is located on the side of the Panther and a spec ial belt-d rive transmission rotates the centralspindle that drives the column up and d own.

The Panther's design comb ines minimum weight with maximum performance, which is ac comp lished bya spec ial counter-pressure configuration of 4 pneuma tic springs in the ba se of the column. Thesesprings exert approx. 1.4 kN of upward pressure on the column. When the Panther is switched on, themotor-drive begins working a ga inst the weight differential, or balance, of column load minus springpressure, and holds the column in position. The energy needed b y the motor to keep the c olumnstationa ry is in proportion to the c olumn's load ratio to the spring p ressure. Energy c onsumption is leastwhen load equals pressure, i. e. when the load is ap prox. 140 kg.

When the Panther is switched off, the column would normally drive upwards or downwards, accordingto the load. In order to hold the c olumn position when the Panther is switched off, there is a b rakesituated on the motor shaft that automatically applies spring pressure to the motor shaft as soon as thePanther is switched off.

When the dolly is switched on, the initial stage is the activation of the electronic system only, or stand bycond ition. The brake rema ins on until you use the manual control switch on the handset. Then thebrake is elec tromagnetically released, holds the "brake open" position and the motor switches on. Atthis po int, the "brake open" LED on the front pa nel lights up.

This pha se, with elec tronic system, motor and elec troma gnetic brake relea se all ac tivated , is whenpower consumption is at its maximum. Therefore, when column drive is not required , switch Panther off

to conserve power and extend battery life.

If the Panther is left on for a time, but drive system is not used, a sec ond ary system that records thepower drag when the brake is released will reapp ly the brake (a "click" will be hea rd). Once the brakeis on, the Panther is ba ck in stand by mod e and the motor shuts down. The "brake open" LED will nolonger be lit.

Once the manual control switch is pressed, the system is reactivated: the brake is released and themotor operates to hold the column in position.

If the "click" you hear whenever the brake is released or reapplied should disturb location soundrecording , operate the ma nual control switch before shooting beg ins. This resets the sec ondary system,and you have the full time (depending on the load ) until the next "c lick" (brake activation).

Note:When you turn the Super Panther III dolly on, the system is in "stand by" mode.The brake is released a fter either pressing the manual c ontrol switch on the handset or when recalling aprogram.When column drive is not being used, a seconda ry system will operate the b rake after120 seconds.


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Get t i ng St a r t e d

1. Before switching the Panther on, make ab solutely sure that the entire lift, panning and operatingrang e of d olly and ac cessories is c lear.

2. Supp ly the dolly with elec tric ity as described in "Power Supp ly" p. 10, 11. Note: Please fullycomp ly with instructions.

3. Check if handset, cab le and dolly are properly connected .

4. Set the switches on front pa nel (7) as desired (see "Front Panel", p. 6, 7, 8).

5. Turn the Panther on at the main switch. The control LED "POWER" on the front panel will light up,showing that the Panther is on. Make sure the battery (batteries) is (are) fully cha rged . You cankeep the main switch "on" due to the "On-Off" - switch locatedon the hand set (16) which enables you to switch the dolly "on" or "off".The Dolly d oes not turn on if one of these two switches is off.

6. Using the hand set (16), bring the column to the desired position. Press the manual control switchforward to eleva te the column, pull ba ck to lower the column. This switch also determines thespeed of travel, ac cording to the pressure used.Note: When not using the column lift, switch the Panther off to conserve battery power.The Super Panther has a "On-Off" - switch loc ated on the ha ndset, next to the manual controlswitch (red knob ). This switch is used to stop the elevating mec hanism during unintentionalmovements.The Super Panther III may not be op erated with mains power units + chargers sold before 1January, 1996.


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F r o nt Pa n e l

The ergonomically designed front panel displays all information at a g lance and ena bles direct c ontrolof operating parame ters such as speed, ramp setting etc .

1. On/off switch (with automatic cut-out)2. LCD display3. Control LEDs4. Super Jib operation on/off5. Handset programming on/off6. Speed selec tor7. Ramp selec ting switch8. "POWER OFF" safety switc h9. Manual control switch10. Storage/recall keys for prog rammed

movements

The manual control switch (9) is ap plicab le for column movements in both d irections and at any speed.More than 250 column movements can be programmed at any position or speed and recalled at willby using the storage/recall keys (10). The manual func tioning is nevertheless maintained . The positionac curac y leaves nothing to be desired.

MAIN SWITCH Combination of power on/off, safe ty power off switch on handset(on/off switch): and fuse (that will switch off at a constant current exceed ing 10 A).

LCD-DISPLAY: shows the momentary motor volta ge (with one battery approx. 24 V, with twobatteries approx. 48 V)

CONTROL LEDS:

Power yellow LED; will light up when the dolly is turned on

Brake open green LED; will light up when the brake is open. If the dolly is not in operationfor longer than 120 seconds, the brake will close automatically and the LED willgo out.

Battery empty/error red LED; will light up when batteries are empty. The LED will start blinking incase of an error. The error can be d etermined by removing the elec tronicscover and looking at the d isplay on the left side of the elec tronics housing:

b. (on) ba ttery emp tyd. (blinking) fault at rotary encoderE. (blinking) fault at end switchH. (blinking) fault at handset

L. (blinking) current exceed ing normal value


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SELECTOR SWI T CHES

Position on:

Position off:

Movements with Super Jib (all start and stop ramps aresmoother/adap ted to Super Jib op eration)

Standard movements (start and stop ramps are adap ted tostandard operation).

Position on:

Postion off:

Programming keys on hand set are ac tivated. (Note: take careagainst unintentional operation, see "Programming",p. 10.)

Stand ard travelling (programming keys on handset withouteffect)

Position 1:Position 2:Position 3:Position 4:

speed 0 ... 25 %speed 0 ... 50 %speed 0 ... 75 %speed 0 ... 100 % (maximum speed)When using only one battery, all column movements areeffected at ha lf the speed of the selected position

Acceleration and deceleration phases of the Panther column can be adjusted with the rampselec ting switch.

soft ramp:

hard ramp:

mediumramp:

acceleration very soft, hardly perceivable

strong ac celeration to maximum speed, strong decelerationuntil stopping

charac teristic between soft and hard


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The start and stop ramps are programmed in our factory. Speed selec tor 1,2,3,4 and Super Jib on/offswitch change the start and stop ramps according to the selected requirements.

Note: At all ramp settings (soft, medium and hard), but espec ially a t "soft", the Panther column will stillmove somewhat after the handset's manual control switch (9) is released: risk of c rushing!Observe safe ty distances. If there is any da nger of crushing, p ress the "power off" safety switchon handset. Also see "Opera tion/Safety Precautions Super Jib I and II".


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Pr o g r a mmi n g

a) Set "Program" switch on front pane l to "on". Use manua l control switch to selec t the column heightthat will serve as starting point. Press the key ma rked STF to enter the first point (starting point) inthe program memory. (When STF is pressed , only the starting p oint is memorized , and a ny existingprograms are erased.)

b) Use the manual control switch to bring the column to the next desired point (= first stoppingpo int). The Panther electronics will memorize only the highest speed used to reac h this po intmanua lly, and will repeat the move a t this speed throughout. If you wish to program a slowermovement, you must drive slowly to the stopping point.

c) You may drive up or down to any stopping point until it is entered . Enter the point by pressingSTM.Note: Stopp ing point will only be recorded when the column is completely stationary. To be quitesure of correc t entry of any point, a lways wait a moment before p ressing STM.

d) Move to the sec ond stopping point and enter it by pressing STM. Any of up to 255 stoppingpoints are entered by always pressing STM.

e) Before recalling or resetting the program in sequence, move to the starting point by pressing GRF.The column automa tically returns to this point at the maximum speed chosen with the speedselector.

f) To recall the program, press A (Action) for every movement in chronological order.

Note: For safety reasons, set "program" switch on the front pa nel to "off" when not using prog rammingmode. This will not erase programmed movements; these are reactivated when "program" switch is setto "on".


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Po we r Su p p l y The Super Panther III do lly can b e supp lied with power as shown on the dia grams below.Should your Super Panther III dolly be equipp ed with a snap-on mains power unit + charger (SN),please read "Operating instructions for Snap -On Mains Power Unit + Charger" before operation.

B = ba tterySN = snap -on mains unit + charger24 V = single speed

speed selec tor switch setting 2(speed 2)

48 V = double speedspeed selec tor switch setting 4 (speed4)

Po we r Su p p l y Opt i o ns


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Cha r g i ng Op t i o ns

B = ba tterySN = snap -on mains unit + chargerZL = extra charger for 1 or 2 ba tteries


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St e e r i n g Symmetrical configuration of 4 identica l wheel legs enables 1-wheel, 2-wheel and 4-wheel steering(crab & steer) from all 4 sides.

1-wheel steering Disengag e the locking levers on two ad jacent kombi wheels and a lign them usingthe ac cessory wheel locking bar (order # 100514 or # 100522). Remove the fourthkombi wheel. For safety reasons, the Super Panther III dolly may not be loadedlaterally (risk of tilting!)

2-wheel steering Disengag e the locking levers on two ad jacent kombi wheels and a lign them usingthe accessory wheel locking bar (order # 100514 or # 100522). Connec t theac cessory steerage transmission rod (order # 100473 or # 100521) to the remaining- steering - wheels, one of which is disengaged using the kombi wheel lockinglever. The steering transmission rod attaches to the whee ls in the komb i brakenotches. The steering rod ma y be attached to one of the sockets located ab ovea steering kombi wheel.

4-wheel steering The vertica l axles of all four kombi wheels are connected to the steering chain.

The steering rod ma y be a ttached to any of the steering sockets.

Note: For safety reasons, the Super Panther III dolly may not be loaded laterally whenusing 1-wheel steering, na rrow gauge or compac t gauge configuration (risk oftilting!).

Wh ee l l e g s

In order to set a wheel leg configuration, press down the leg adjustment lever (14) to unlock theindividua l wheel position. The lever should c lick back into place a fter release, but chec k that it lockssecurely to be quite sure.

When using a jib arm or outrigger, always use wide g auge wheel configuration. Always pa y attentionto load toleranc es (see "Load tolercances diagram").


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Wh ee l a d j u s t me n t It can happ en that a wheel or wheels get knocked out of p osition in transport, by misuse or use o fforce . This sec tion deals with realigning and adjusting wheels.

Loosen the steering axle p ivot screws on a ll four kombi wheels. (The p ivot screw is located in a deepbore in the kombi wheel carrier.) Turn the wheels until the komb i wheel c lutch levers for the front wheelsare pointing forwards, and the rear levers po inting b ac kwards (see d iagram).

Align two wheels at a time using the wheel locking bar (wheelsside by side) or the side locking ba r (one wheel b ehind theother) and secure the p ivot screws; then, the next two wheels,and so on.

Tu r n s t i l e A t t a c h me nt The turnstile attachment rotates on a ball bearing. Friction of rota tion ca n be varied using the fric tionscrews.

The entire turnstile can be fixed in any setting using the brake.

The extension bracket for the sec ond sea t (foc us-puller) can be dismantled b y undoing the 2 Allenscrews on either side.The camera op erator's sea t should not b e extended, as this could result in damag e to the threadedsea t-extension rod .


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Lo a d To l e r a nc e s Di a gr a m f o r Su p e r P a n t h e r I I I

When using the Super Panther III with outriggers (e. g. outrigger III, U-Bangi), always use wide gaugewheel configuration for safety reasons (p. 12). The load toleranc es diagram must be ad hered to .maximum central co lumn load: 250 kg / 550 lbsmaximum offset d istance: 140 cm

A counterbalance rod (order # 100503) can be used to increase stab ility. The rod is installed a t the sideopposite the lateral co lumn load a nd the according number of counterweights attached. In this case,the outrigg er (e. g . outrigger III, U-Bangi) may not be rotated ! When using Panther jib arms (e. g . SuperJib II), observe the corresponding load toleranc e d iagrams.


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Col umn Mid-way on the column there is a small p latform, intended as a footrest for the camera operator. Thepla tform has a fa il-safe breakage point built in, so that serious injuries will not oc cur. If the op erator's

foot hap pens to be under the p latform while the column is being retrac ted, the p latform is designed tobreak.

The column is guided by runners between bearings. The column guide runners should be kept free ofdust or grit but never oiled . (Oil might cause the incrementa l rotary encoder to slip ag ainst the guiderunner and this would result in misreading of drive parameters and uncontrolled column lift movements.)

The small column (on which the euro adapter is mounted) should never be p ulled up wards, as theinternal steel cables would slac ken and p ossibly kink. Please be espec ially careful when taking off a jibarm. The jib arm could cant with the euro ad ap ter and when lifting the jib arm the column would thenbe p ulled out, too.

What is unique in the pa tented c olumn guiding

system of PANTHER...?

... the redirec tion of a high lateral co lumn loadinto an a lmost vertica l load !

The advantages of the PANTHERcolumn are demonstrated by direct comparison of columns A and B(see diagram):- The roller bearing's diameter is increased, due to its position aga inst the column

Advantage 1: larger and stronger roller bearingsAdvantage 2: fewer revolutions, i. e. q uieter and longer-lasting bearings

- The horizonta l distance between the roller bearings (a) can be kept very small, due to the guiderunner.Advantag e 3: more compa ct and lighter construction (b)Advantage 4: very steep (almost vertical) vector of force, i. e. little pressure on guide rails ? strongercolumn unit, higher lateral load ing ca pacity!

- The vertica l distance of the roller bearings (c) can also be kept small due to this pa tent.Advantage 5: lower camera position (dotted line)Advantage 6: more column lift rang e (d) at same column length (e)

Advantage 7: The PANTHERcolumn is maintenanc e-free. Adjustment of roller bearings is notrequired.

T r a c k i n g


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The Super Panther III Dolly ca n be operated on wide ga uge (62 cm) trac ks and narrow gauge (36 cm)trac ks. The wheel gauge is ad ap ted to the track gauge (p. 12). All four kombi wheels are unlockedfrom the steering chain before trac king (p. 12), otherwise the do lly could d erail (espec ially on curvedtrac ks). If there is a high c olumn payload , the standard track wheels should be exchanged with hardtrack wheels. This will prevent possible damag e to the stand ard trac k wheels and lower fric tionalresistance.

Always selec t wide ga uge trac king when using jib a rms or outriggers. Always observe load toleranc esdiagram.

Ma i n t e na nc e

Maintenance should only be effec ted by trained p ersonnel that is familiar with the Super Panther IIImec hanic s. The Super Panther III is, generally speaking, a ma intenance-free dolly that will work sound lyand reliably.In order to ensure a long life and constant quality, the specified servicing intervals should be observed.

A competent person should check all elements relevant to safety and func tioning when the needarises, but a t least every 6 months, according to ZH 1/222 para. 3.2 or UVV VBG 70 14/2, and

exchange them if necessary.

Following e lements should be checked rega rding function and wear:

Spindle nut free from play or little play (exchange if need ed, but at leastevery 6 month)

Drive belt when lightly pressed app rox. 10 mmPneuma tic springs approx. 700 NSteel cab les to be rep laced ac cording to DIN 15020 pa rt 2 (e. g. no kinks)

Please see our video tap e "Service Instructions" for further information on checking/adjusting theseelements.

Check wheel leg attachments and wheel leg adjustment levers for correc t locking, and repa ir ifnecessary.

The motor brake toleranc e is 0.4 mm - a djust if nec essary.

Check battery voltage regularly. Battery ce lls should be exchanged app rox. every 2 years.

Column guide runners and roller bearings should a lways be free of grease. They should be c leaned (e.g. with alcohol) after shooting has finished for the day.


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Ba c k u p Oper a t i o n

In the event of malfunction or breakdown of the Panther's electronic system, the columncan be elevated or retracted mechanically.

Procedure:

1. When be ing retrac ted, the column must be loaded with ap prox. 180 kg. When be ing elevated,the column must be relaxed (< 140 kg).

2. At the same time, the motor brake must be kep t open. Two screw drivers are of prac tica l help incountering the brake disk's spring p ressure. In case of any uncertainty, please see our video tape"Service Instructions".

.


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Te c hn i c al Sp ec i f i c at i o n s

Weight..............................................................123 kg (271 lbs)minimum height................................................69 cm (27 1/4")maximum height ..............................................138 cm (54 3/10")lift range ...........................................................69 cm (27 1/4")lifting capacity.................................................300 kg (661 lbs)maximum column loadcap ac ity with retracted column......................1000 kg (2,204 lbs)maximum column loadcap ac ity with eleva ted column.......................500 kg (1,102 lbs)column lift v max. ............................................3.6 sec .sound level.......................................................28 dB - 32 dBwind load max.................................................40 km/h (24.86 mph)columns............................................................2pneumatic springs...........................................2wheel legs........................................................4wide ga uge trac k ............................................62 cm (24 2/5")narrow gauge trac k.........................................36 cm (14 1/4") - not permissible for Super

Jib II operation, see p. 13!

Mo t o r DC servo-motor................................................d. c. electric motor with tachometertorque at rated load ........................................1.00 Nmrated current....................................................7.5 A

rated speed .....................................................4000 Min -1

tension constant ...............................................14 V/1000 Min-1torque constant ...............................................0.133 Nm/Amotor brake .....................................................DC 24 V

motor brake play .............................................0.4 mm

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FeM Super 3 En