How film pros protect their camera shock absorbers for action movies

“Nothing is so good that it cannot be improved,” says Mark Fellinger of German film equipment specialist IDEA VISION GmbH. The company from Kolbermoor, Bavaria, develops, constructs and sells mechanical and electronic systems for the film industry. IDEA VISION has also specialized in stabilized camera platforms. “We rely on a mixture of German quality standards, maximum flexibility in use, easy handling and quick attachment to a wide variety of carrying platforms,” says Fellinger, describing the business. These properties can also be transferred to the work of ACE Stoßdämpfer GmbH from Langenfeld in Germany, which is one explanation for the cooperation between the two companies in the case of IDEA VISION’s Hybris Shock Absorber.

„Our Hybris Shock Absorbers are often used in very harsh environments. We were therefore looking for additional damping that would provide a soft stop at the end of the spring travel and maintain the camera's stable image." Image credits: IDEA VISION

The Problem: Reduce Vibrations and Hard Impact Shocks

The Hybris Shock Absorber system, which weighs 14 kg, is designed to stabilize the use of underslung and overhanging film cameras, gimbals or camera heads. Camera teams use it to compensate for shocks and vibrations that occur when filming while using cars, motorcycles or boats. An adjustable linear induction brake and a spring system ensure stable conditions when filming with Hybris Shock Absorbers. The sophisticated device can also be configured and controlled via an app and allows operation without contact. The braking and damping performance is extremely precise thanks to the magnetic eddy current principle and avoids direct mechanical stress on all components of the system and associated components. These may weigh between 1 kg and 40 kg and are dampened over a spring travel of 46 cm. Since the system is often used in harsh environments, such as uneven terrain, at sea and on race tracks, the designers were looking for additional damping. This was supposed to ensure gentle stops at the end of the spring travel to maintain stable images from the camera at all movements. Additionally, the damping element the designers were looking for had to limit the maximum suspension travel when camera teams want to create low tracking shots on bumpy terrain. Those were essential requirements in order to avoid the unwanted impact of the entire system.

Hybris Shock Absorber, the 14 kg stabilization system for camera movements from Idea Vision GmbH. Image credits: IDEA VISION

With Hybris Shock Absorber, camera professionals prevent jolting and shaking of images during action scenes, even on rough terrain. Picture credits: IDEA VISION

Hybris Shock Absorber supports film equipment weighing up to 40 kg and keeps shocks and vibrations away from it thanks to ACE's eddy current brake, spring and structural dampers. Picture credits: IDEA VISION

The Solution: Consulting and Tests Lead to Profile Dampers

Normally, ACE works closely with the customer to determine the appropriate damping solution based on design data. Many standard solutions can also be designed using the calculation and configuration tools on the ACE homepage: www.acecontrols.co.uk/uk/sizing.html. However, since equipment of different weights is used during filming and no two tracking shots are alike, Mark Fellinger sought personal contact with an ACE sales engineer. Hans-Jürgen Greindl, technician responsible for ACE Austria, visited him on site because his journey from the location in Linz, Austria, to Bavaria was the shortest. When an attempt with miniature shock absorbers was not completely satisfactory, Greindl switched to TUBUS profile dampers. The reversible dampers, called TUBUS because of their tube-like shape, are an alternative to hydraulically operated miniature and industrial shock absorbers when deceleration does not have to be linear and ultra-precise. Available from ACE in over 140 different versions, TUBUS shock absorbers are used to decelerate masses, especially under extreme operating conditions. From the variety of different dampers made from co-polyester elastomer, the partners decided on radial damping types. These have the advantage of a very long and soft braking process with progressive energy reduction at the end of the stroke, supporting the desired stable images. Available with strokes from 17 mm to 60 mm, the dampers can be easily integrated into existing constructions due to their compact design. They are able to absorb energy from 1.2 Nm/cycle to 146 Nm/cycle. After furnishing IDEA VISION with different samples, the TUBUS type TR83-50 proved to be the most suitable. Like all profile dampers supplied by ACE, they are maintenance-free and ready to install, hardly heat up and, therefore, ensure consistent damping. With a stroke of 50 mm, they provide additional safety for all camera movements and withstand individual loads with an energy capacity of up to 45 Nm/cycle.

A satisfied Mark Fellinger sees the rugged system and the motto "Nothing is so good that it cannot be improved" of IDEA VISION GmbH confirmed. Now, film enthusiasts and pros alike look forward to action scenes of films shot with the help of the improved Hybris Shock Absorber from Germany.

"After I saw the lightweight aluminum-titanium frames of the Hybris Shock Absorbers, it was clear that our TUBUS structural dampers could also be bolted to them quickly and easily for every turn, virtually made to measure." Picture credits: ACE

The structural dampers of the TUBUS TR family used by IDEA VISION are characterized by soft deceleration and energy absorption of up to 45 Nm/stroke with maximum strokes of 50 mm. Picture credits: ACE

The maintenance-free structural dampers of the TR series, which are ready for immediate installation thanks to the special screw supplied, are subjected to radial loads and decelerate very long and smoothly. Picture credits: ACE

Trade show dates

Stabilus and Fabreeka

04. - 06.06.2024, Automotive Testing Expo, Stuttgart, Germany, Booth: 8424

Stabilus and ACE

18. - 19.09.2024, All About Automation, Chemnitz, Germany, Booth: pending

05. - 07.11.2024, FMB, Bad Salzuflen, Germany, Booth: pending

13. - 14.11.2024, Precisiebeurs, S'Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, Booth: pending