Polecam AutoPod 510 User manual

AutoPod(Version #2)
Powered Telescopic Elevation System
User Manual
Issue #1 covering:
Single Elevation - Product Code #510
Dual Elevation - Product Code #520
Page 1
Protective case open showing
the Top tray contents (left) and
the Bottom tray contents (right)
AutoPod wheeled protective transport
case for both #510 and #520
Controls, Cables and Accesories included
inside (not shown)
Dual #520
Single #510

Page 2
Safety
Water, Moisture and Dust
WARNING! The product is not intended to be used in wet or damp conditions. Protect
against moisture and dust. The presence of electricity near water can be dangerous.
Ventilation
CAUTION! The product may get warm. Do not cover. Allow sucient ventilation and airow
around the product to ensure reliable operation
Operating environment
CAUTION! The product should not be used outside the operating limits. Refer to the product
technical specications for the product operating limits regarding temperature, weight etc.
Cleaning
WARNING! Risk of electric shock! Always disconnect and isolate the product from all sources
of power before cleaning.
CAUTION! Do not use abrasives, wire brushes or chemicals to clean the product. Clean with a
soft dry cloth.
Maintenance
WARNING! Apart from regular cleaning, the product has no user serviceable parts and
should not be opened by anyone other than Polecam authorised technicians. Care should
be taken to regularly inspect all cables and accessories for signs of damage, wear and tear.
Any damaged cables, connectors or accessories should be replaced with Polecam authorised
replacements. If in doubt, contact: ser[email protected] who will be able to advise you.
The tting of non-approved parts or accessories, or carrying out of non-approved alterations
or servicing can be dangerous and could aect the safe operation of the product. It may also
invalidate the terms and conditions of the product warranty.
Working with Robotic equipment
The equipment is operated remotely and as such can move suddenly without warning. No audible warning
will be given as it is counter-productive to the broadcast environment.
It is recommended that only trained personnel be allowed to enter or work within the active operating areas
where remotely operated robotic equipment is located. The recommended safe operating distance is a
minimum of 1M (3ft)

Page 3Page 3
Safety Continued.....
Operators guide for safe use
All Operators must familiarise themselves with the operation and working footprint of the Autopod,
ancillary equipment and payloads including but not limited to (Robotic Heads, Jibs, Cameras, Lenses,
Tele-prompters and Zoom/Iris/Focus drives etc. ) before operation commences to avoid inadvertent
collisions or injury to personnel.
Care should be taken to note the safe working minimum and maximum height of the equipment.
Operation should not begin or if in progress should stop immediately if the operator feels personnel or
other equipment are too close.
It is strongly recommended that the operator visually veries that the active operating area is clear of
personnel and other hazards before and during remote operation.
Using more than one Autopod in series can be dangerous without sucient planning. It is the operator’s
responsibility to check before operation begins that all equipment is securely xed to level ground and
each other and special care should be taken to check for overhead, cables, gantries, lighting rigs, sound
equipment and any other hazard that may impede the safe operation of the Autopod(s) and cause damage
to equipment or injury to personnel.
Make sure cables are safely routed and are long enough to avoid strain or entrapment.
Operator Notes:

Page 4
Leg connection end of ACU
Control and Power connection
end of ACU
Specications (images not to scale)
AutoPod Control Unit (ACU)
• Dimensions 400mm x 105mm x 60mm
• Weight: 1.6KG
• Voltage In :110/230V AC or 24V DC
• Power in :300W
• Power consumption in standby : 0.1Watt
• Overload protection via current limitation
• Auto detection of how many elevation units connected.
• Soft start/ stop function built in.
• Connections are made using High Quality Neutrik industry standard XLR connectors
Elevation Column
• Design : 3 stage Elevation unit with built in motor and mechanism
• Standard Installation dimension 560mm ( not including “V” plates or Base )
• Standard Stroke 675mm
• Weight : 8kg without mounting plates
• Noise level : low and uniform
• Speed 38mm/s Unloaded (16 second travel time - “stowed to up” and “up to stowed”
• Max Thrust 700N
• Hall Sensor to enable parallel drive
• Working Ambient Temperature +5 to +40 deg C
• Storage and Transport Temperature -10 to +70 deg C
Lightweight Base
• Footprint : 650mm x 650mm
• Height 70mm
• Weight : 2.5+KG
Heavy Duty Base - Wheeled
(optional Accessory)
• Footprint : 600mm diameter (12mm thick)
• Height 120mm
• Weight : 26KG
Heavy Duty Base - Folding Dolly
(optional Accessory)
• Footprint : 800mm
• Height 120mm
• Weight : 9KG

Page 5
Lid Insert
1x Lightweight adjustable base (tted with“V”
quick block base connector
1x Operators manual
Top Tray
1x Foot pedal contoller
1x Hand/Desk Controller
1x Mains PowerCon cable
1x Elevation unit cable (2x if dual system is supplied)
Bottom Tray
1x AutoPod control unit (ACU)
1x Elevation unit (2x if dual unit is supplied) - each
tted with 1x “V”quick in line connector with
inset XLR and 1x “V”quick block base
connector
1x “V” quick connector Camera mounting plate
2x Extension roads (25mm long)
1x 1mm Riser bowl adapter
1x UK Mains 2m IEC cable
1x US Mains 2m IEC cable
1x Euro Mains 2m IEC cable
Leg connection end of ACU
Operation
Getting Started
Before you start using your AutoPod system, you must familiarise yourself with the full list of components,
their features and functions
What is in the box
The AutoPod is supplied and packaged in a protective roll-along case with foam inserts - one of which (top
tray) is removable.
IMPORTANT:
Ensure that all connections are made before switching on any power; failure to do so may result in the
system needing to be re-set and/or callibrated for eective and accurate operation
See connection set-up diagram on next page - do not apply power until congured
NOTE!
When operating the Autopod with a single elevation unit, the unit should be plugged into “ LEG1 “ .
Leg 2 is not active when running a single Elevation unit.

Page 6
Operation continued...
Connecting your AutoPod
Plug in the all cables before plugging in the power cable as per the set-up diagram.
Remember:
Ensure that all connections are made before switching on any power; failure to do so may result in the system
needing to be re-set and/or calibrated for eective and accurate operation
Controlling your AutoPod
The AutoPod can be controlled by the foot pedals or the hand control unit interchangeably.
To move the AutoPod simply press the pedal or hand controller and the AutoPod will continue to move up or
down until it receives another signal to stop.
Your AutoPod hand control unit will allow you to store 3 pre-set positions. To store a position, move to the
selected height required and stop. Press the “S” button followed by one of the three preset keys marked by
“. / .. / … “ This stores the height positon. You can then drive the AutoPod up and down.
By pressing the a pre-set key twice, the AutoPod with move to the previously stored position.
NOTE: Pre-set positions cannot be accessed with the foot control pedal.
/110v AC

Page 7
Calibrating your AutoPod
Your elevation should not need calibration as this is done from the factory but if for any reason the power
is cut o when the unit is in the raised position or you are operating two elevation units together then you
may need to re-calibrate the unit(s)
To calibrate remove the 15M leg extension cable, Network cables (if being used) and plug the leg(s) into the
ACU using the 3M leg cable.
Using either the foot control pedal or hand control unit, press and hold down the “ DOWN “ button for 3-5
seconds until the leg moves down slightly. Then simply raise the leg up a few centimetres and calibration is
complete.
You may now plug in your 15M leg extension cable if needed.
Calibration
Hand controller height calibration
The hand control unit has a numerical display which measures in Centimetres and can be re-calibrated to
your needs, either to the height of the equipment on top or centimetres from the bottom of the Autopod
stroke.
If you want to change the display, move the AutoPod to the required position.
Simultaneously hold down the “up” and “down” arrows until 3 dashes appear on the display.
This will be followed by a number value being displayed. In order to change the numerical display you must
press the”up”or“down” keys to select the numerical value you want displayed at the current height.
After several seconds the numbers will ash and the new setting is stored.
NOTE : The system will not let you choose value that would lead to a negative number on the display when
the column is lowered.
Hand controller error codes
In the event of a system fault, your hand control unit may display and error code :
E01 : The Elevation unit position is unknown – Should this happen, re-calibrate the leg as explained in the
calibration section above
E02: Overload in upward direction has occurred - reduce the payload.
E03: Overload in downward direction has occurred - reduce the payload.
E16: illegal keys are pressed. – more than one signal/ command has been received by the system. Press one
button at a time

Page 8
Extended diagram
Part #ATP021
quick release V- Lock in-line base clamp
Open Closed
Part #ATP023
quick release V- Lock in-line mounting plate
(camera mounting plate with captive 3/8 screw)
Part #ATP012
2x 250mm Spacer rods
Part #ATP021
quick release V- Lock in-line base clamp
Part #ATP022
quick release V- Lock in-line leg plate
(6pin XLR)
- tted to elevation
unit at factory
(draft diagrams)

Page 9
Extended diagram (draft diagrams)

Page 10
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Polecam Limited
12 Wolseley Road
Woburn Road Industrial Estate
Kempston, Bedford
MK42 7TN
Hereby declares that the product known as AUTOPOD which is manufactured, assembled and
Marketed by Polecam Limited in the United Kingdom, conforms with the essential requirements of the
EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EU)
EMC Directive (2014/30/EU)
Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU)
RoHS2 (2011/65/EU)
Environmental considerations
This product must not be disposed of with general household waste.
In some countries or European Community Member States, separate collection systems have been set up
to handle the recycling of electrical and electronic waste products. By ensuring this product is disposed of
correctly,
You will help prevent potentially negative consequences for the environment and human health.
Recycle where possible.
In countries outside the EU:
Dispose of this product at a collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment
according to your local government regulations.

NOTES:
Polecam Limited
12 Wolseley Road Woburn Road Industrial Estate Kempston Bedfordshire MK42 7TN United Kingdom
W: polecam.com E: [email protected] T: [phone]