Robust energy chains for high-speed camera carriages

Rail & Tracking Systems camera carriage and E6 chain

The company Rail & Tracking Systems builds camera motion systems for indoor and outdoor use. One product highlight is the Trackrunner series: these are camera carriages for fast movements, which are used in particular at sports competitions, but also in many other event areas such as concerts, fashion shows or TV shows. For HD TV recordings, it is necessary to connect the camera and OB van with fibre optic cables. The camera travels at speeds of up to 14m/s with short acceleration times. To ensure the greatest possible reliability, the cable guidance system must be able to withstand this as well as long travelling distances, cornering, rain, UV radiation and temperatures above 45°C. The solution: our lightweight and durable E6 series energy chains.

The application was honoured by igus with the silver vector award in 2008.

e-chain E6
High acceleration, very smooth running, high strength and secure fit of the cables

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On a straight 130 metre track at high temperatures

The Trackrunner in action at the Olympic Games in Beijing: Here, the camera had to travel at high acceleration over a distance of up to 130 metres in both directions - in direct sunlight and in an ambient temperature of around 45°C. The energy chain must be able to cope with these requirements in order to ensure trouble-free operation:

Camera carriage from Rail & Tracking Systems

90 metre turn with high acceleration

In action on the outer edge of the racetrack in the stadium: the camera races over a distance of 90 metres in a 55-metre radius. It accelerates to a speed of 14 metres per second within 2 seconds. The energy chain must be able to bend in both directions here:

340° movement around the show stage

With this sled system, the camera travels 340° almost completely around the stage in a radius of 5.6 metres. The speed here is 5 metres per second. When travelling back, the energy chain must return exactly to its original position: