ARRI SXU-1 User manual

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SXU-1 Single Axis Unit
Date: 05 February 2014
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Instruction Manual

2 SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit
Imprint
Copyright © 2014 Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co.
Betriebs KG. All rights reserved. No portions of this document may be
reproduced without prior written consent of Arnold & Richter Cine
Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG. Specifications are subject to
change without notice. Errors, ommissions, and modifications
excepted.
ALEXA and ALEXA XT are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG. All other
brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders and should be treated as such.
Original version.
For further assistance
ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Pottendorferstraße 25-27/3/1
A-1120 Vienna
Austria
E-mail: [email protected]
www.arri.com
Document information
Version Document No. Release/Revision Date
01 K5.0000418 F05525 05 Feb 2014
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SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit3
Contents
1For your safety 5
1.1Risk levels and alert symbols..................................................... 5
1.2Vital precautions......................................................................... 5
1.3General precautions................................................................... 6
1.4Audience and intended use........................................................ 6
1.5System requirements ................................................................. 6
2Scope of delivery and warranty 7
3Product layout 8
3.1Product identification.................................................................. 9
3.2Control knob............................................................................... 9
3.3Control panel............................................................................ 10
3.4Control display ......................................................................... 10
4Typical operation setups 11
4.1Wireless (via white radio) ......................................................... 11
4.2Wired (via LCS)........................................................................ 12
5Power supply 13
5.1Rechargeable battery............................................................... 13
5.2AC power grid .......................................................................... 14
5.3LCS hardwire ........................................................................... 15
6Prior to operation 16
6.1Before each switch-on.............................................................. 16
6.2After each change of lens ........................................................ 16
6.3Switching on and initialization .................................................. 16
6.4Selecting a radio channel......................................................... 18
6.5Switching the radio off/on......................................................... 19
6.6Selecting a lens axis ................................................................ 20
6.7Calibrating to lens .................................................................... 21
6.8Changing the lens motor torque............................................... 22
6.9Changing the lens motor direction ........................................... 23
7Operation 24
7.1Changing the backlight............................................................. 24
7.2Limiting the motor range .......................................................... 25

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7.3Limiting the control knob range ................................................ 26
7.4Recording ................................................................................. 27
7.5Switching off............................................................................. 28
8Accessories 29
8.1Marking ring.............................................................................. 29
8.2Shoulder strap.......................................................................... 29
8.3Optional rigger grip................................................................... 30
9Maintenance 31
9.1Firmware update ...................................................................... 31
9.2System information .................................................................. 33
10Storage, shipment, disposal 34
11Order numbers 35
11.1Included accessories................................................................ 35
11.2Optional accessories................................................................ 35
11.3Recommended charger and battery ........................................ 35
11.4LCS cables............................................................................... 35
12Appendix 36
12.1LCS connector pin-out ............................................................. 36
12.2Dimensions and weight ............................................................ 36
12.3Electrical data........................................................................... 36
12.4ARRI white radio channels (ISM B) ......................................... 37
12.5Declarations of conformity........................................................ 38
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SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit5
1 For your safety
Always keep this document on hand. It should be read, understood
and observed by all persons using SXU-1 Single Axis Units. All other
products must be handled as prescribed by their manufacturers.
1.1 Risk levels and alert symbols
Safety warnings, safety alert symbols, and signal words in these
instructions indicate different risk levels:
This symbol alerts you to personal injury hazards. Obey all
warnings that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
This symbol alerts you to electrical hazards. Obey all
warnings that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER!
Indicates an imminent, hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.
NOTICE: Explains practices not related to physical injury. The safety alert
symbol is not used with this signal word.
Note: Provides additional information to clarify or simplify a procedure.
1.2 Vital precautions
NOTICE: Read and follow all instructions before using the product. Use the
product only as described therein. Never open it. Never insert objects.
Never attempt to repair the product: Have it always repaired and serviced by
authorized ARRI Service Centers.
Never remove or deactivate any product safety equipment (incl. warning
stickers or paint-marked screws).
Always protect the product from moisture, cold, heat, dirt, vibration, shock, or
aggressive substances.

6 SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit
1.3 General precautions
NOTICE: The product is designed for all cameras with the ARRI Lens Control
System LCS or Universal Motor Controller UMC-3A. For use with other
cameras, consult the respective manufacturer.
Use only the tools, materials and procedures recommended in this
document. For the correct method of use, see your camera manuals.
1.4 Audience and intended use
NOTICE: The product is solely and exclusively available for commercial
costumers and shall be used by skilled personnel only. Always contact ARRI
preceding other uses. Every user should be trained according to ARRI
guidelines.
The SXU-1 is a single-axis hand unit solely and exclusively for iris,
focus or zoom control:
Wireless via ARRI white radio modem (see p. 11)
Wired via ARRI Lens Control System LCS
Note: For use with other systems, consult the respective
manufacturer
Never use the product for any other purpose. Always follow the valid
instructions and system requirements for all equipment envolved.
1.5 System requirements
NOTICE: To tap the full potential, have all connected units updated to a
Software Update Packet SUP equal or higher to those listed below.
Basic Torque adjust Motor direction switch
ALEXA (XT)
Plus/Studio
7.0 8.0 9.0
UMC-3A 04B 04C
ARRICAM +
LDB-ST/LT
06A
ARRIFLEX
435 Xtreme
05A
ARRIFLEX
416 Plus (HS)
04A

SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit7
2 Scope of delivery and warranty
On delivery, please check if package and content are intact. Never
accept a damaged/incomplete delivery. A complete delivery includes:
Single Axis Unit SXU-1
Shoulder strap
Plain white marking ring
Instruction manual
Original packaging
For scope of warranty, please ask your local ARRI representative.
ARRI is not liable for consequences from inadequate shipment,
improper use, or third-party products.
For spare parts and additional accessories, see p. 35.
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8 SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit
3 Product layout
The SXU-1 is a single-axis hand unit for wireless lens motor control
(iris, focus, zoom). It is compatible with ALEXA (XT) Plus/Studio
models or with other cameras via the Universal Motor Controller UMC-
3A.
1 Control panel 7 White radio marker
2 Internal antenna 8 Grip
3 Plain marking ring 9 Finger rest
4 Check mark with nut 10 Product ID labels
5 Control knob 11 Eyelet for shoulder strap
6 LCS socket 12 Battery compartment

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3.1 Product identification
Type label and serial number (2) are on the product’s back. FCC ID
and IC numbers are on the CE conformity label (1).
3.2 Control knob
NOTICE: Motors can be rigged either left or right of a lens. Correct control
knob operation requires a properly set lens motor direction (see p. 23).
1. Turn the control knob to adjust focus, iris or zoom setting.

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3.3 Control panel
1 Recording button REC 4 Navigation buttons
2 LED for camera status 5 Sensor for AUTO backlight
3 Power button 6 Display
3.4 Control display
1 Upper navigation buttons 5 Connectivity status
2 Upper navigation info 6 Battery status
3 Lower navigation info 7 Preset lens axis
4 Lower navigation buttons 8 Radio channel number
When navigating, the home screen will change to subscreens of a
different structure. The navigation info for each button may change.

SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit11
4 Typical operation setups
For both wireless and wired operation, all lens motors must be
connected to the camera (or motor controller).
4.1 Wireless (via white radio)
For wireless operation, you can combine up to three SXU-1 per
camera (or motor controller). Sync cables allow a 3D operation.
Please consult your camera or controller manuals. Or ask your ARRI
partner.
NOTICE: You cannot address two cameras simultaneously on the same radio
channel.

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4.2 Wired (via LCS)
For wired operation, maximum LCS cable length is 75 m (250 ft).
Power is supplied via the camera (or motor controller).
NOTICE: LCS connection automatically disables the SXU-1’s white radio and
distributed control.
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5 Power supply
5.1 Rechargeable battery
DANGER!
High voltage! Risk of electric shock!
Use only the recommended battery and charger (see p. 35). Read valid
battery and charger manuals before use. Never expose to humidity. Never
disassemble.
NOTICE: Old batteries should not be disposed of in domestic waste: Always
dispose them according to valid local regulations and the information in the
battery manual.
NOTICE: Normal charging is usually completed when the charge LED on the
battery charger goes out (for details, see battery and charger manuals).
1. Charge battery according to battery and charger manuals.
2. Unlatch (1) and remove empty battery (2).
3. Insert full battery (2) until latch (1) snaps audibly.
4. Product is now ready to switch on.
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5.2 AC power grid
DANGER!
High voltage! Risk of electric shock!
Use only the original AC power pack (see p. 35) and read its manual before
use. Never expose to humidity. Never disassemble.
Via five different adapters, the optional Hand Unit AC Power Supply
connects the product to AC grids worldwide.
1. Click adapter (1) onto power pack (2).
2. Connect power pack to LCS socket (3) and AC grid.
3. Product is now ready-to-switch-on.
NOTICE: Battery charging is not possible via the product. AC power supply
always entails wireless (white radio) operation.

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5.3 LCS hardwire
1. Connect product (1) to camera (2) via a standard LCS cable
(maximum length: 75 m/250 ft).
2. Product is now supplied with power/control lines and ready-to-
switch-on.
NOTICE: Battery charging is not possible via the product.
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16 SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit
6 Prior to operation
6.1 Before each switch-on
NOTICE: Always prepare the camera first: Connect lens motors and motor
controller with white radio according to valid camera manual. Only then,
should you connect the camera to the product.
6.2 After each change of lens
NOTICE: Each change of lens requires a new calibration. The display will
automatically prompt you: “Calibrate motor now?” If not: Check connection to
camera. For calibration, see p. 21. If necessary:
Change motor direction (left, right), see p. 23
Manually recalibrate, see p. 21
Change motor torque (1 to 4), see p. 22
6.3 Switching on and initialization
NOTICE: A full initializon always ends with a full automatic calibration. If not:
Connect product properly to camera. Check for:
Correct white radio channel (0 to 7, or off), see p. 18
Correct lens axis (focus, iris, zoom, or off), see p. 20
Correct motor direction (left, right), see p. 23
If necessary, calibrate manually (see p. 21).

SXU‐1SingleAxisUnit17
1. Ensure proper power supply and camera preparation (see p. 16).
2. Press power button (1).
3. Product initializes: Display blinks init (2).
4. Check product connectivity:
(1) Ready-to-connect but not yet connected.
If (1) blinks init: Product is still initializing.
(2) White-radio-connected.
If (2) is blank: White radio is off or replaced by an LCS connection,
or current channel is occupied otherwise.

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5. CAL blinks CALIBRATING (1).
6. Each connected lens motor moves the lens ring from the end-to-
end position.
7. CAL reappears solid: initialization complete.
6.4 Selecting a radio channel
NOTICE: Never select a frequency that will interfere with other radio setups.
When initially selecting a radio channel, do so via the camera receiver (not via
the product).
1. Press MENU (A).
2. Menu opens on Radio Channel (B).
3. Press ENTER.

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4. Submenu opens (C) on preset channel (in this case: 5).
5. Scroll UP or DOWN to select new channel (for frequencies see
p. 37), or to switch white radio OFF.
6. Confirm with SET (D).
7. Exit with HOME.
6.5 Switching the radio off/on
1. Enter Radio Channel (see A to C above).
2. To deactivate: Scroll UP until OFF and press SET (E).
3. To (re)activate: Press ON, then SET.
4. Exit with HOME.

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6.6 Selecting a lens axis
1. Press MENU (A).
2. Menu opens (B).
3. Scroll DOWN until Lens Axis.
4. Press ENTER.
5. Submenu opens (C).
6. Check preset lens axis (n/a indicates non-availability).
7. Scroll UP or DOWN to select Focus, Iris, Zoom or off (D). Note:
Select off to deactivate all lens axes.
8. Confirm with SET (all other axis are off now).
9. Exit with HOME.
NOTICE: Deactivating all lens axes with off helps you “freeze” a lens in its
position and avoid accidental lens action.