CamMate Roomer User manual

Operations Manual
CamMate Systems
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
425 E. Comstock
Chandler, AZ 85225 USA
www.cammate.com
[email protected]
®CamMate ®

ATTENTION
Verify clean AC power (100-240vac) before connecting
CamMate Electronics Control Box. A surge suppressor
or line conditioning device is recommended when
connecting this unit to AC power.
The power supply in this unit auto-senses line input
voltage but incorrect input voltages or incorrect wiring of
the AC power source may result in damage to the unit
and void the warranty.
1

Table of Contents
! CamMate Systems Assembly Guide, Introduction 3
! Safety Precautions 4
! Pedestal/Leveling/Main Boom Section 5,7
! Tilt Brake Knob, Tail Section 7-9
! Boom Securing Brake, Drag 10
! Control Rod Installation 11
! Adjustable Monitor Bracket 12
! Head Mounting 13
! CamMate Electronics Assembly 14
! Lens Control Assembly 15,16
! Upright Head operations 17
! Dis-Assembly/Repacking 18
! Travel Series Cable Assist 19,20
! 2000 Series Cable Assist
21-23
! Camera Leveling/Balancing 24,25
! Engaging Motors 26
! Operator Notes 27
! Controls Manual 28
! Table of Specifications 29
! Joystick Controls 30,31
! Pistol Grip Controls 32
! Control Box Front Panel 33
! Control Box Back Panel 34
! Operator Notes 35
! Crab Dolly Manual 36
! Table of Specifications 37
! Crab Dolly Assembly Guide 38
! Crab Dolly Support Pack
39,40
! Operator Notes 41
! Tripod with Wheels Manual 42
! Table of Specifications 43
! Tripod Assembly Guide, Tripod with Wheels Leveling 44-48
! Operator Notes 49
! Roomer/Roamer Dolly Manual 50
! Table of Specifications 51
! Roomer/Roamer Assembly Guide 52,53
! Outrigger/Steering Handle & Push/Pull Handle Assembly 54
2

CamMate Systems Assembly
Guide
Our CamMate Systems are designed to mount on any flat plane
surface, approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter, with one bolt in the center
which allows for a ½”-13 bolt to pass through. If you have purchased one
of our mounting systems, a pedestal mounting knob in included.
If you have a tripod or dolly with a standard Mitchell Mount, an
adapter plate may be needed. Adaptor plates are available through
CamMate. If you need assistance mounting your CamMate, please call us
at [phone].
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOUNT A BOOM ON A FLUID HEAD
Due to weight and leverage considerations fluid heads will not
maintain the system in a safe operating environment. No matter how
tight you secure it, failure will occur. If you are not using a CamMate
dolly or tripod for mounting your system and are not sure of the
mount you intend to use, please consult CamMate.
Note: The CamMate boom and dolly have a Mitchell type key for
mounting together. If your mounting platform does not have a key slot suitable
for the boom base, the key may be removed for flat surface mounting.
CamMate, Travel Series, 2000 Series, Roomer, Roamer,
CamVoyager and ScanMate are registered trademarks of CamMate
Systems Inc, registered in the United States.
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®

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1. Before using CamMate Systems in a professional setting, practice the set
up and operation procedures in the convenience of your studio. Include any
personnel that will be using the boom and make sure that they understand
how to use it safely.
2. Always rest the camera end of the boom onto a solid surface, like a C-
Stand, or have a helper hold up the end when assembling the boom.
Keeping in mind that you are working with a counterbalancing system,
remember that removing weight from one side can cause the other side to
become heavier and drop.
3. During assembly always mount the camera first, then add the
counterweights.
4. When disassembling the boom, REMOVE COUNTERWEIGHT BEFORE
REMOVING CAMERA.
5. When the boom Tilt and/or Pan Brakes are engaged, never remove weight
from either end of the boom and do not force the boom to pan or tilt.
6. Avoid placing items such as cables or body parts in an area where moving
parts can cause damage or harm someone.
7. When moving an assembled boom, have spotters on both ends of the
Crane. Never push from a high spot. To avoid tipping, always pull
(preferably) or push from a low spot near the wheel base. Do not roll the
dolly & crane over cables as the crane may become unstable.
8. Always be aware of your surroundings, consider obstructions, wiring and
environmental situations that will effect safety and your performance.
9. Never swing or position the boom in a manner that would risk contact with
people or objects. Know your boundaries before you begin shooting.
10. Be aware that understanding the disassembly of the boom is just as
important as understanding the assembly process.
CamMate Systems operate under the same counterbalance principles of a “seesaw”.
In other words, the camera is fixed on one side of the arm and counterweights are
attached to the other side. If there’s no camera, or there are no counterweights, the
seesaw will be out of balance. This can prove very hazardous. To avoid potential
dangers, careful attention must always be paid to the forces applied on the camera
crane. Only when they are in a state of balance can these forces be properly
controlled. Do not operate a crane in inclement weather, such as lightning & rain, or
in heavy winds.
If you have questions after reading this manual, please call CamMate. For technical
questions please contact our CamMate trained technicians. Phone: [phone]
Safety Precautions

Having the boom level is important for proper boom operation. With a torpedo
or similar type level, check the Dolly Tube for vertical and horizontal
positioning. Turn the Turnbuckles accordingly until leveling is achieved. (See
page 53 for Dolly assembly.)
Level Here
Leveling
Dolly Tube
5
Pictured: Roomer Dolly
Turnbuckle
Note: Only hand tighten Turnbuckles. Tighten them inwards, drawing the Dolly
Tube and Dolly Base towards each other.

Pedestal
Set the Pedestal onto the Dolly Tube or Riser mount. Using the Pedestal
Mounting Knob, securely attach the Pedestal to the top of the Dolly Tube. If
a Riser is used, attach the Pedestal on top of the Riser (shown on page 47).
Note: The keyway of the Pedestal must be in the slot.
Tilt Brake
Retainer
Main Boom
Section
PedestalPan Brake Handle
Slot
Pedestal Mount Knob
Main Boom Section
6
Mount the Main Boom Section onto the
Pedestal.
Make sure the longer end of the section is on
the opposite side of the Pedestal from the Pan
Brake Handle. Install the Retainer and Quick
Release Clip to secure the Main Boom Section
to the Pedestal. Next install the Tilt Brake using
(4) ¼” -20 Knobs. Screw the Main Control Rod
onto the Pedestal Control Rod Connector.
Pedestal Control Rod
Pedestal Control
Rod Connector
Quick Release Clip
¼” -20 Knobs
Dolly Tube
Tilt
Brake
Knob

Brake
Washer Tail Section
Attach the Tail Section of the
Boom to the Main Section,
insuring T-Bolt alignment.
(See below and next page.)
Use the Thumb Nut Tool (not
pictured) to tighten the
Thumb Nut. Make sure
Thumb Nut becomes tight
without the Thumb Nut Tool
making contact with the Tail
Section. If the tool makes
contact, the T-Bolt is NOT
tight enough. In this case,
adjustments can be made by
disengaging the T-Bolt, then
turning it, in ¼turn
increments, and then
reengage. Repeat tightening
process as needed.
Weight Bar
Insert the Tilt Brake Knob
through the Pedestal. Slide
the Brake Washer between
the Tilt Brake and Pedestal,
then slide the knob through
the Tilt Brake. Finally, install
the Tilt Brake Nut.
Top View
Thumb Nut T-Bolt
7
Tilt Brake
Pedestal
Tilt
Brake
Knob
Tilt Brake Knob
Tilt Brake
Nut
Main Section Tail Section

Bottom View
While lowering the T-Bolt from the Tail Section into the T-Bolt Slot on top of
the Main or other section, slide the Connecting Tongue from the adjoining Tail
or other extension section toward the Main Section, aligning screw holes.
Insert the Mounting Knob through the aligned holes in the bottom of the Main
Boom Section. Then tighten the Mounting Knob. Repeat this process for
remaining Boom Sections.
Note: Proper assembly is achieved when the edges of the Sections are flush.
Mounting Knob 8
Connecting Tongue
Tail Section Continued…
Main Boom Section or Tail
Extension Section
Tail Section
T-Bolt
T-Bolt Slot
Edges flush
when tight

9
Tail Section Continued…
Note : This page only applies to 2000 Series Cranes.
1. Place the end of the Turnbuckle that has the R mark, toward the Tail
Section. (This will allow all of the Turnbuckles to tighten and loosen in
the same direction.)
2. Insert Turnbuckle Pins through the Turnbuckle and Eyelet, then install the
Quick Release Clip. Repeat this process for the other side of
Turnbuckle.
3. Finally hand tighten the Turnbuckle. (Only hand tighten turnbuckles).
Tighten them inwards, drawing the boom sections toward each other.
4. Repeat this process for remaining boom sections.
Turnbuckle Pin
Quick
Release
Clip
Turnbuckle Eyelet
Tail Section
Main Section
Side View
Top View
R
Tighten inward Tighten inward
L

Boom Securing Brake, Drag
The tilt and pan brakes for the boom are controlled by the Tilt Brake Knob
and Tee Bar, located on the same side of the Pedestal.
The Tilt Brake Knob controls braking for boom tilt and can be used to add
drag as needed.
The Tee Bar controls braking for boom pan, and can be used to add sufficient
drag as needed. This becomes very useful in windy situations.
DO NOT OPERATE BOOM WITHOUT THESE BRAKES
INSTALLED OR DAMAGE MAY OCCUR.
Tee Bar
Tilt
Brake
Knob
10

11
Control Rod Installation
Note: Install the Control Rod while installing each boom extension section.
1. Screw the Pedestal Control Rod into the Pedestal Control Rod
Connector. (See image on page 6).
2. Slide the Control Rod through the Control Rod Clamp. Then screw the
Control Rod into the Pedestal Control Rod.
3. Using a torpedo or similar type level, level the Control Rod Down Arm
Bracket Assembly.
4. Secure the Control Rod Clamp by tightening the Clamping Knob.
5. Repeat this process for remaining Boom Sections.
Control
Rod
Control
Rod Clamp
Pedestal
Control Rod
Control Rod
Down-Arm-Bracket
Assembly
Clamping
Knob
Level Here

Adjustable Monitor Bracket
The Adjustable Monitor Bracket mounts on top of the Control Box, by
inserting the
¼” Quick Release Pin through the Hanger Bracket and Hanger Bracket
Block, attached to the Control Box . Next, secure the Hanger Bracket to the
Tail Section by using the Hanger Bracket Knob. The Adjustable Monitor
Bracket can be leveled with (2) ¼”-20 set screws, which are on the back of
the Hanger Bracket. When level, monitor can be attached to the Adjustable
Monitor Bracket as shown on page 14. Hanger Bracket Knob
Hanger Bracket
Adjustable Monitor Bracket Control Box
12
¼” Quick
Release
Pin
Tail Section

Mounting the Head
The Head Mount Bracket (Fork) is attached to the L-Head from the factory.
(See page 17 for Upright Head mounting instructions.) Install the Head
Mount Bracket to the Nose Assembly by using the supplied (4) 1/4”-20
Knobs.
Head Mount Bracket
(Fork)
1/4”-20 Knobs
Place a torpedo level on
top of the Head Mount
Bracket. If not level, use
a hex wrench to loosen
(2) 3/8”-16 Hex Head
Bolts, which are inside
the
Nose Assembly (see
below). Rotate the
Nose Assembly until
level is achieved. Then
tighten these bolts.
Nose Assembly
3/8”-16 Hex
Head Bolts
Tighten the Screw Adjuster into the
Control Rod, until the Nose Down Arms
are level (verify with torpedo level), then
tighten Jam Nuts.
Control Rod
Screw Adjuster 13
Jam Nuts
Nose
Down
Arms
Front View of
Nose Assembly

CamMate Electronics Assembly
1. Mount the Control Box to the Tail Section of the boom, using the Hanger
Bracket Knob, as shown on page 12.)
2. Run the Main Cable down the length of the boom, securing with Bungie
Straps.
3. Connect Main Cable to the Control Box and to the Head. (See Back
Panel on page 34).
4. Attach Joystick and Pistol Grip to the Control Weight Bar.
5. Connect Joystick Cable to Control Box.
6. Verify the head is level (leveling instructions are on page 13). Then mount
the camera to the Camera Cradle using Camera Knob (See page 25).
7. Attach the Focus and Iris Servo’s to the lens on the camera. (See page
15.)
8. Attach the Lens Control Cable to camera Lens Connector Focus and Iris
Servo’s (see pages 15 and 16). Follow instructions for leveling and
balancing camera on pages 24 and 25.
Head
Control Box
Pistol Grip
Joystick
Control
Weight
Bar
14
Bungie Strap Main Cable
Camera
Cradle
Tail Section
Monitor

Lens Control Assembly
1. Attach the Lens Bracket to the lens with Thumb Screw. A threaded hole for
this purpose is located between the zoom and focus rings on the
camera.
2. Rotate the lens to the highest focal distance. With the system power off,
rotate
Focus gear by hand in a complimentary direction to its maximum position.
3. Loosen the Servo Bracket Knob on the Servo Bracket and position the
Focus Gear to match the gear track of the lens.
4. Swing the Focus Gear down to engage to the track. Apply light pressure
on the gear to ensure good engagement with the gear track; tighten Servo
Bracket Knob. Slowly rotate the lens, by using the Focus Controls (see
instructions on page 32), to ensure proper gear tracking. Repeat step 2-4
for engaging Iris Gear.
Note: Too much pressure may cause the servo motor to bind. Too little pressure
and the gear will slip. You will quickly learn the correct pressure that is needed. On
some lenses, it is necessary to remove the Servo from the Servo Bracket and mount
the Servo in a different position on the Servo Bracket, in order for the wheel and
gear to line up.
5. Place the Lens Selector (see next page) into the corresponding lens
position, (Canon or Fujinon). For Angenieux lenses, use the Canon
position.
6. Plug the Lens Control Cable (see next page) to the 14-pin Panel
Connector on the head.
7. Connect the Focus and Iris Mini XLR connectors from the Lens Cable to
the Servos.
8. Connect the 8-Pin Connector from the Lens Cable to the lens.
9. Some Fujinon lenses use a 12-pin connector. Use the 8-pin to 12-pin
adaptor (ECF-126), supplied with your CamMate System.
Focus Servo
Focus Gear
Iris
Servo/
Gear
Thumb Screw
Lens Bracket
15
Servo Bracket
Servo
Bracket
Knob

Iris Mini XLR
Focus Mini XLR
14 Pin
Lens
Connector
8 Pin Multi
Connector
Lens Selector
14 Pin
Panel
Connector
16
Lens Control Assembly Continued…
8-Pin
Connecto
r
Lens Control Cable
Servo
Assembly
Head Connections

Upright Head
The Head Mount Bracket (Fork) is attached to the L-Head from the factory in the
Down Position. If your shot requires a higher viewpoint, you can mount the head in
the Upright Position.
1. Simply remove the Head Mount Bracket (Fork) from the Nose Assembly by
removing the 4 Mounting Knobs.
2. Remove the L-Head from the Head Mount Bracket by removing the (4)
¼”-20 x 1” Mounting Bolts.
3. Invert the head and attach it by using the (4) ¼”-20 x 1” Mounting Bolts.
4. Finally, mount the Head Mount Bracket to the Nose by re-attaching the 4
Mounting Knobs.
Down Position
Up Position
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Mounting Bolts
Mounting
Knobs
Head Mount
Bracket
L-Head
Note: These instructions will
provide the highest lens
height, in the upright
position. The L-Head can
also be put into the Upright
Position by removing the 4
Mounting Knobs, inverting
the L-Head and re-attaching
the 4 Mounting Knobs.
However, this method does
not provide optimal lens
height.
Nose
Assembly

Dis-Assembly and Repack
Tear down of the boom should be exactly reverse of the setup. Always rest the
camera end of the boom onto a solid surface, like a C-Stand, or have a helper
hold up the end when dis-assembling the boom. Then start unloading the
weights from the Operator end of the boom. Always disengage the Pan and Tilt
Motors (shown on page 26) when packing the head.
Both the electronics components and the Travel Series boom sections come
with hard cases. The electronics cases are foam lined, and each component
has it’s own slot. Proper packing will protect your system during transport. The
2000 Series boom comes with soft carrying bags for packing (not shown).
CAUTION
Always remove counter-weight first and camera last. If the camera is removed first,
the crane may roll backwards, damaging itself and anyone standing nearby.
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Travel Series Cable Assist Setup
Cable Assist Kits are standard for Travel 25’ and CamVoyager 29’. CamMate
can provide Cable Assist Kits for shorter booms.
1. Insert the 3 Cable Support Rods into the Main Section’s Rod Holes (two on
sides and one on top).
2. Slide the combined Ball/Loop Cables & Ratchet Straps ball end into the
Slot Block on the Tail Section.
3. Insert the ball end of the three 19’ cables into their corresponding Slot
Blocks. (Side Cables go into the Nose Assembly Side-Slot Blocks, and the
Overhead Cable goes into the Last Extension Section Top Slot Block.)
4. Connect the 19’ cables loop end to the Ratchet Strap’s Oval Connector
Link. Note: For the V-29 setup, install the 3’ cable extensions in
between the 19’ cable loop and the ratchet strap’s oval link.
5. Position the cable into the 20” Support Rod Slots. Pull the strap on the
Ratchet Strap Assembly to remove the slack. Start ratcheting to prevent
the strap from slipping out of the ratchet.
6. Next position the Overhead Cable into the Support Rod’s Slot and continue
ratcheting until the Nose begins to bend upward. (Once the electronics
and counter weights are installed, the boom will return to level and may
require further tightening.)
7. Finally, tighten the Side Cables. Ratchet these two straps evenly.
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