black forest motion BFM Slider User manual

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 1of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
BFM Slider
User Manual
Valid for: Black Forest Motion Slider
Release Date: 9. July 2020
Revision: 2

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 2of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
Dear customer,
Thank you for purchasing the Slider from Black Forest Motion. As our customer,
you receive our highest attention and we are always there for you, if you have
questions or suggestions to our products.
In order to make it as easy as possible for you to start using our product, please
read this user manual carefully and familiarize yourself with its safe and efficient
operation.
Keep this user manual in a safe place so that it can be accessed at any time if
necessary.
The current user manual is also always available for download from our website:
https://www.blackforestmotion.com/support
Company Address:
Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
D-78136 Schonach im Schwarzwald
Tel.: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://blackforestmotion.com
Register Court: County Court Freiburg im Breisgau
Register Number: HRB 717974
CEO: Moritz Huber, Patrick Ketterer

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 3of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
Content
1. Usage of this Manual ........................................................................................ 4
2. Preface............................................................................................................... 5
3. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 6
4. Safety Instructions.............................................................................................. 7
5. Technical Specifications................................................................................... 8
6. Setup .................................................................................................................. 9
7. Mounting of the Motor ................................................................................... 11
8. Mounting of the PINE Controller .................................................................... 12
9. Mounting of the Camera ............................................................................... 13
10. Connecting to the Motion Controller......................................................... 14
11. Retightening of the Belt ............................................................................... 15
12. Troubleshooting and FAQs .......................................................................... 18
13. Index .............................................................................................................. 19

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 4of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
1. Usage of this Manual
This manual serves as a help and reference document for the end user of the
Black Forest Motion Slider. Read this manual thoroughly to familiarize yourself
with the function of the device.
In this manual, different info fields are used to clarify important points for the
reader. These are listed below.
Important Note
Tip
This is an important hint. Please observe it to avoid unexpected
behavior of the device.
This is a useful tip that will be helpful when using the device.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 5of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
2. Preface
This work is protected by copyright. The rights based thereby, in particular those
of the translation, the reprint, the lecture, the removal of illustrations or tables,
the radio transmission, the microfilming or the duplication on other ways and
the storage in data processing plants, remain reserved, also with only partial
utilization.
The trademarks and brand names used in this book are the property of their
respective owners.
All contents, illustrations, graphics were created with the greatest care. The
author accepts no liability for any damage, in particular personal injury or
damage to property, which may result from the use of this book.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos and illustrations are the property of the
author.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 6of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
3. Introduction
Our very compact and lightweight Carbon Fiber Slider was developed by Nico
Engel and is ideally suited for creating moving time-lapse and video recordings.
The completely newly developed motor quick-release mount allows the
changing of motors without additional tools and within seconds. In addition,
the slider can also be operated manually without a motor.
Arca-Swiss profiles are milled into both sides of the slider, which allow mounting
the Slider to tripods without additional clamps in a simple way.
The basic version of the slider is approx. 60cm in length. This is optimal to
transport the slider in a suitcase for travelling. In addition, we also offer a slider
with a length of 100cm.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 7of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
4. Safety Instructions
a) The operation of the unit is at your own risk. The user is liable for damage
to property and personal injury caused by the operation of the Slider.
b) The Slider is designed for indoor use. When used in damp rooms and
outdoors, appropriate safety regulations must be observed, especially
when the unit is operated from the mains.
c) When operating outdoors, the user is required to provide adequate
weather protection.
By affixing the CE mark, we declare that our device, in
accordance with EU Regulation 765/2008, meets the
applicable requirements laid down in the Community
harmonization legislation on its affixing.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 8of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
5. Technical Specifications
Operating Temperature
-20° to +45°
Storage Temperature
-30° to +60°
Humidity
10%-90% non-condensing
Connectors of the Motors
Hirose HR10A-7R-4R(73) 4-pin Male
Tripod-Mounting
Arca-Swiss Profiles, 1/4“ and 3/8“ Threads
Camera-Mounting
1/4“ Thread
Motor Type
Bipolar Stepper Motor NEMA17
Max. Motor Current
1.6A
Available Motor Gear Ratios
1:5, 1:14, 1:19
Dimensions 60cm Slider
L/W/H: ~71 x 17 x 8 cm (Height without Motor)
Dimensions 100cm Slider
L/W/H: ~111 x 17 x 8 cm (Height without Motor)
Weight
~3.0kg with Motor

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 9of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
6. Setup
With the help of the adjustable legs, the slider can be set up on many surfaces
even without a tripod. Adjust the feet so that the slider is stable and does not
shake. Loosen the blue knobs to adjust the legs and turn the knobs back
tightly as soon as you are done with the alignment.
For mounting on tripods, there are milled Arca-Swiss profiles on both sides of
the slider (4 separate profiles in total). These are aligned to all sides (see pictures
below).









Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 10 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
In the middle of the slider, there is also a mounting plate with three 3/8" and
two 1/4" threads.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 11 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
7. Mounting of the Motor
Motors can be attached to the slider using the quick release bracket. Insert the
motor into the bracket completely and up to the stop. You may need to rotate
the motor a little or move the slider carriage so that the motor goes completely
into the bracket. Then tighten the outer screw of the bracket. If the motor sits
neatly in the bracket you will notice that the slider carriage can no longer be
moved by hand.

You can achieve higher speeds with a small motor gear
ratio. However, the maximum load capacity is reduced.
With our 1:5 motor, you can achieve slider speeds of up to
5.5 cm/s and move loads of up to 3 kg vertically.
Our 1:14 motor gives you the best mix of speed and power.
With this motor, you can achieve vertical slider movements
with up to 6 kg and reach speeds up to 4 cm/s.
The 1:19 motor achieves up to 3.0 cm/s and can move up to
10 kg vertically.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 12 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
8. Mounting of the PINE Controller
The PINE controller can be mounted either on the side of the motor mount 
or using our optional controller bracket . In both cases, you need our
"Mounting Plate" which you can mount on the backside of the PINE Controller.
With earlier versions of the mounting plate, the controller is then held by
magnets on the slider mount. Newer versions of the mounting plate work
without magnets and use screw terminals instead.



Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 13 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
9. Mounting of the Camera
On the slider carriage, there is a 1/4" thread via which cameras, ball heads, or
Pan & Tilt heads (e.g. our NT Head) can be mounted.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 14 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
10. Connecting to the Motion Controller
Use the motor cables available from us (Hirose 6-pin male to Hirose 4-pin
female) to connect the motor to the PINE controller.
Information about the operation of the PINE Controller can be found in our
separate manual for PINE.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 15 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
11. Retightening of the Belt
After regular use of the slider and also due to temperature fluctuations, the belt
may become slightly loose. In this case the belt can be tightened easily and
quickly.
At the beginning of 2020 we optimized the belt fastening clamps. Depending
on the version you have, please use the instructions for version 1 or version 2.
Version 2 (from early 2020)
The toothed belt fastening clamps are located on the underside of the Slider
carriage. On the side of it there is a screw which can be adjusted with an Allen
tool. Turn the screw in the directions shown below to tighten or release the belt.
The clamps will move further apart or closer together to achieve the desired
tensioning effect.
tighten
release

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 16 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
Version 1 (until early 2020)
1. Loosen two lower countersunk screws until the right part can be moved
loosely.
2. Push the right clamp together until the desired toothed belt tension is
achieved and tighten the countersunk screws again (max. 2.5Nm).

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 17 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
3. If the pretension is still not sufficient, push the right clamp to the right so
far that the toothed belt can be inserted into the clamp one tooth
further to the left. Cut off one tooth in advance with a side cutter.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 18 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
12. Troubleshooting and FAQs
Can I use my existing Motors for the Slider?
If you have one of our previous NEMA17 stepper motors, you need
additional parts so the motor can be used with the motor quick-release
system. Please get in contact with us if you are interested in this option.
Can I take the Slider apart for easier traveling?
Yes, the entire slider can be taken apart so you are only left with the 2
rails, the end parts with the legs, the motor quick-release, and the
movable base plate.
Standard Allen-keys are needs for the disassembly.

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 19 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
13. Index
1
1/4" thread · 13
1/4“ Thread · 8
A
adjustable legs · 9
Arca-Swiss · 6, 8, 9
C
Carbon Fiber · 6
controller bracket · 12
D
Dimensions · 8
E
extension kit · 6
F
FAQs · 15
K
Kamera · 13
M
Motion Controller · 14
Motor · 8
motor quick-release · 6, 15
mounting on tripods · 9
Mounting Plate · 12

Black Forest Motion GmbH
Waldstraße 2
78136 Schonach
Page 20 of 21
Black Forest Motion ▪BFM Slider User Manual
www.blackforestmotion.com ▪[email protected]
O
Operating Temperature · 8
P
PINE Controller · 12, 14
Q
quick release · 11
S
Safety Instructions · 7
slider carriage · 11, 13
T
tripod · 9
W
Weight · 8