Slide Kamera KAIROS User manual

HPN-2 | 3D CONTROLLER
rmware version 1.0.9
User Manual
available for download: www.manual.slidekamera.com
v24/2020

2
Table of contents
1. KAIROS controller ........................................................................... 3
2. Technical specication ..................................................................... 3
3. Content of the set ............................................................................ 3
4. Construction .................................................................................... 4
4.1. Control panel ............................................................................ 4
4.2. Sockets and connectors ........................................................... 5
5. Connections ..................................................................................... 6
5.1. By wire ...................................................................................... 6
6. Power supply ................................................................................... 6
7. Preparing the controller ................................................................... 7
7.1. Turn on the controller ................................................................ 7
7.2. Detecting devices ..................................................................... 7
7.3. Alternative connections ............................................................. 8
7.4. Calibrating SLIDEKAMERA devices ......................................... 8
7.5. Calibrating PDMOVIE drives .................................................... 9
8. LIVE CONTROL mode .................................................................. 10
8.1. Axis custom menu ................................................................... 10
9. PARALLAX .................................................................................... 12
9.1. Conguring PARALLAX .......................................................... 12
9.2. Set ZERO ............................................................................... 13
9.3. Enable PARALLAX ................................................................. 13
10. Record and playback ................................................................... 14
10.1. Recording ............................................................................. 14
10.2. Playback ............................................................................... 15
10.3. Playback speed .................................................................... 15
10.4. Playback settings .................................................................. 16
11. KAIROS controller settings .......................................................... 16
12. Maintenance and operation ......................................................... 17
13. Terms of warranty ........................................................................ 17
On the margins you will nd
information, which complement the
contents of the manual.
They are not essential for the
correct operation of the device, but
you might nd them useful.
TIP Before you start your work with the KAIROS controller we strongly
recommend to read the manual carefully.
Please note that using the controller in a manner inconsistent
with the instructions, any unauthorized repair attempts or any
kind of modication of the device can cause a damage the
manufacturer is not responsible for.
Slidekamera Ofce
ul. Kartuska 386
80-175 Gdańsk, Poland
tel./fax [phone]
e-mail: of[email protected]
www.slidekamera.com
Slidekamera ®
High Engineering Technology CNC s.c.
Sebastian Pawelec Karol Mikulski
Glina 45
82-522 Sadlinki
VAT Identication Number:
581-188-33-32

3
HARDWARE VERISON
This manual is dedicated to KAIROS 2 (HPN-2) - the new revision
of the controller. Despite it’s phisical resemblance to previous device
- KAIROS 1 (HPN-1), many features and device’s rmware are
incompatible.
You can verify, your product’s version by the serial number.
The KAIROS 2 has the serial number above “2000 0000” (all models
purchased after 2020-01-01).
The set includes:
• KAIROS controller
• Wi-Fi antenna
• RF antenna
• HET-BUS steering cable (LEMO - RJ45)
• transport case
NOTE
The content of your kit may be
different if your controller is a
part of a set that was customised
for you.
KAIROS is a controller designed to work with SLIDEKAMERA motion control
devices. By default the controller can support up to 6 drives in any devices.
To control devices made of multiple motors, that enable motion in multiple
dimensions, KAIROS controller treats them as separate, independent drives.
For example, 2D heads (such as BULL HEAD or X HEAD) are recognized by
the controller as two separate drives: one for horizontal rotation of the camera
(PAN) and second - for its TILT.
Each of these drives is assigned to one axis. Parameters of every axis can be
adjusted separately by the KAIROS controller.
The rmware of the KAIROS controller is frequently upgraded and can be
easily updated by the user.
You can download the newest rmware at www.slidekamera.com/rmware
and a corresponding, newest manual at www.manual.slidekamera.com
Weight: 1.45kg
Dimensions: 339mm x 169mm x 114mm
Compatible devices: motion control devices equipped
with the HET-BUS socket
Number of devices controlled in the
same time: up to 6 independent axes
Supply voltage: 10..17V DC min 12W
Operating temperature range: 0 to +40ºC
Recommended relative humidity: < 90%
1. KAIROS controller
2. Technical specication
3. Content of the set

4
4. Construction
4.1. Control panel
[1] SLIDER (1st axis): use the knob to set the cart’s direction and speed.
[2] JOYSTICK - THE HEAD (2nd and 3rd axis): tilt the joystick left-right and
up-down to rotate the camera horizontally and vertically; ZOOM (5th axis):
rotate the joystick to change the zoom of the lens;
[3] ENTER button: there’s a button on the top of the joystick, it’s used to change
settings of the controller or navigate in the options menu;
[4] FOCUS (4th axis): use the knob to control the focus lens motor;
[5] IRIS (6th axis): use the knob to control the iris lens motor;
The position of the [4] FOCUS and [5] IRIS knobs corresponds directly to the
position of a focus and iris rings on your lens:
[6] SETTINGS button: enter the settings menu; depending on the current
dialog displayed on the screen, the button enters appropriate settings;
[7] BACK/SHIFT button - dual-function button: use this button to access
additional memory banks [9] and settings for axes 4-6 (hold it to access
funkctions marked yellow); in menus and options dialogs use this button to go
one step back;
STOP
(center-click)
50% LEFT 50% RIGHT 100% RIGHT100% LEFT
[12] axis settings [11] SCREEN
[8] MEMORY buttons
[1] SLIDER
(1st axis)
[2] JOYSTICK
(2nd, 3rd and 5th axis)
[7] BACK / SHIFT button
[6] SETTINGS button [3] ENTER button
[9] PLAYBACK SPEED
[4] FOCUS
(4th axis)
[5] IRIS
(6th axis)
[10] LED - charge indicator
In some circumstances (overhang
system, operating from the other
side, etc) you will nd, that the drive
moves in the opposite direction.
You can reverse the direction of the
drives in the AXIS SETTINGS menu
and operate as usual.
For details reffer to “8.1. Axis
custom menu” (p. 10).
TIP

5
[8] MEMORY buttons - use them to access memory banks; press M1-M4 to
access banks 1-4, press SHIFT + M1-M4 to access banks 5-8. Long press to
enter the memory settings, short press for execute recorded data. You can nd
more about memory banks in “10. Record and playback” (p. 14).
[10] LED - charge indicator - indicates the state of the device’s power supply.
OFF - there’s no power supply connected to the device;
RED - external power connected, the internal battery is being charged;
GREEN - external power connected, the internal battery is fully charged;
FLASHING RED/GREEN - error of the power supply.
[11] SCREEN - shows current device’s state, settings menus, infos and many
more.
[12] AXIS SETTINGS - axes 1-3 individual hardware controllers to set working
parameters; for details reffer to “8. LIVE CONTROL mode” (p. 10).
[9] PLAYBACK SPEED - with this knob you can change the speed of the
drives during playback of the motion stored in memory banks.
axis number
SPEED - speed adjustment (limits top speed of the drive)
axis settings LED (GREEN when editing axis settings)
RAMP - smooth start and stop adjustment („ramping”)
axis settings button („SET”) - press to enter axis settings
axis activity indicator - GREEN when the axis is enabled
TIP
To access settings for axes 4-6,
press SHIFT + SET (1 for 4th axis,
etc). You can change the working
parameters of those axes in the
settings menu - “8.1. Axis custom
menu” (p. 10).
4.2. Sockets and connectors
HET-BUS socket PLAYBACK SPEED
ETHERNET socket USB-C (charging and maintenance)
AUXILIARY connector (COM port)
RF antenna connector
POWER button Wi-Fi antenna connector

6
5. Connections
5.1. By wire
KAIROS controller can be connected to any device equipped with HET-BUS
socket (RJ-45 or LEMO), such as slider drives and remote heads.
Most devices have two HET-BUS ports and multiple devices can be daisy
chained to one controller (order of the devices is not important).
Connecting cables:
• connect KAIROS controller to the rst device of your choice, to it’s HET-
BUS IN socket using steering cable;
• further device (if there is any) connect by connecting it’s HET-BUS IN
socket with HET-BUS OUT socket of the previous device;
• connect power supply to devices, that require external power source for
their motors (heads, sliders, etc.), if you’re using RJ-45 connector, plug
the power adapter to all devices; if you’re using HET-BUS with LEMO
connectors, plug the power to the rst device;
• KAIROS controller is powered by the HET-BUS connector and requires no
additional power supply, when connected to compatible drive.
Examples of connecting KAIROS controller with other devices:
IN
OUT
X MOTOR
IN
OUT
12V
KAIROS
BULL HEAD
POWER SUPPLY
IN
OUT
X MOTOR
IN
OUT
12V
KAIROS
BULL HEAD
POWER SUPPLY
6. Power supply
KAIROS controller has a built in battery, that enables the controller to work
wireless without any power adaptors.
KAIROS battery is charged by:
• HET-BUS socket - during operation with compatible devices connected to
the socket (please note, that not all devices are able to charge the KAIROS
controller via HET-BUS);
• USB-C socket - you can use any standard phone charger;

7
To turn the controller on, push the
POWER button on the right hand
side. The splash screen with the
rmware version number will appear.
After connecting and powering the
devices, KAIROS controller detects
available drives.
name of the drive
calibration status
battery charge
scrollbar
calibration mode
cursor
axis number
The LCD screen displays the list of
drives and assigned axes.
Use the joystick to navigate through
menu pages. To change a value
indicated by the cursor and <>
brackets, move the joystick left/right.
If a connected device is not visible on
the list, check the cable connections
and select “Repeat detection”.
Next to the axes names there’s calibration status indicator:
- - the axis is not calibrated, you have to calibrate in order to use it;
^ - the axis has been calibrated and you can use the old data;
™ - safety limits are removed, the axis drive can work innitely;
Make sure that the SLIDER knob is in the center position (speed set to 0%)
and select “Continue” to calibrate selected axes.
You can set the calibration method (use joystick to move the cursor to the
corresponding axis and change the parameter by moving the joystick left-right):
- - the calibration will not be performed, default for previously calibrated drives;
A - automatic calibration (available only for the slider and PDMOVIE motors -
the drive will gently bounce off the edges to nd the working range);
M - manual - working range dened by user.
7. Preparing the controller
7.1. Turn on the controller
7.2. Detecting devices
KAIROS 2
Version: 1.0.9 -
DETECTING
DEVICES...
DEVICES LIST ~
Continue > |
›1S SLIDER -<M>|
2P PANORAMA ^ - }
DEVICES LIST ~
›3T TILT ^<->{
4F PDM red - M |
5Z PDM green - M }
DEVICES LIST ~
›6I PDM blue -<M>{
Repeat detection |
|
TIP
The scrollbar arrows indicate if
there are any positions in the menu
above or below the current screen.
The > bracket indicates that the
position on the list contains another
dialog (e.g. sub-menu).
NOTE
The KAIROS will always list three
PDMOVIE (PDM) drives if a head
with compatible LCS port is con-
nected, even if the drives are not
present.
NOTE
Working with safety limits removed
can cause damage and/or injuries.
For safety reasons the KAIROS
controller cannot set the axes to in-
nite mode, but it may be applied by
another device, e.g. for diagnostics.
NOTE
Always recalibrate the drives, if the
hardware setup was modied, the
drive was moved manually or the
power was lost during operation.

8
Using the joystick and slider’s knob
move the camera in all axes to one
of the extreme positions (it doesn’t
matter left or right). Be careful not to
touch the slider’s end brackets with
the cart, or not to touch the head with the camera lens or the battery, as you’re
operating now without any safety limits.
You can reduce the drive’s speed with the corresponding knobs on the AXIS
SETTINGS panel to gain the precision of the movement.
Press ENTER to continue.
Calibration is a process of setting safety limits - extreme positions, that will
never be exceeded. This prevents breaking off cables or damaging the camera.
7.3. Alternative connections
The KAIROS controller has multiple options to connect devices; to change
the connection type, that the controller use, press SETTINGS button on the
DEVICES LIST screen or during DETECTING DEVICES. Additional menu will
appear.
Select the connection type and wait for the changes to be applied.
Some additional conguration may be required.
You can change the Connection setting:
HETBUS - standard communication port for SLIDEKAMERA drives; it’s wired
connection that’s using lemo or RJ-45 plugs (for the KAIROS controller it’s mini-
lemo plug on the left hand side of the controller);
ETHERNET - you can connect the KAIROS controller to the local network and
control the drives, that are attatched to it; use the RJ-45 socket to plug the
ETHERNET cable;
WIFI - the controller can be connected by Wi-Fi to the local network or to
compatible drives, that act as Access Point; note that for properly congured
Access Points you have to provide the password in order to connect to the
network;
RF - direct radio connection for compatible SLIDEKAMERA devices, more
reliable and with less delay than standard Wi-Fi connection;
Do not connect network devices
to the ports of the SLIDEKAMERA
drives described as HET-BUS, as
they’re not compatible with the
ethernet signal, despite similar
connector.
NOTE
7.4. Calibrating SLIDEKAMERA devices
CALIBRATION ~
Click ENTER to set
START bound
<DETECT SETTINGS ~
›Connect. <HETBUS>
CANCEL

9
AUTO
If you’re using lenses with hard-stops, you can calibrate the drive automatically,
by using the AUTO (A) method in the devices list menu. The drives will run to
the extreme positions to check it’s working range during calibration process.
You can recalibrate the PDMOVIE drive automatically by holding the button
on the drive.
MANUAL
You can also use the MANUAL method. In this mode you will have to skip the
setting of START and END points on the PDMOVIE drives during calibration
(set those positions for SLIDEKAMERA drives only, or - if calibrating PDMOVIE
drives only - press ENTER on the CALIBRATION screen without setting any
postitions).
Perform the actual calibration on the drive by holding the button on the drive, or
use the by-hand approach described for focus-by-wire lens.
If you’re using lens with focus-by-wire ring, run the manual calibration
procedure on the KAIROS controller, as with hard-stops lens. Perform the
acutal calibration on the drive by rotating the focus ring by hand to one extreme
position, then to the second extreme position, and move the ring a little back to
the direction of the rst position.
The drive is calibrated and should rotate slowly to the position indicated by
the controller. The motor is engaged and you won’t be able to freely rotate the
lens ring.
Lenses with hard-stops
Focus-by-wire
Set an opposite extreme position of
the camera for all axes.
The calibration process is nished.
Press ENTER to conrm, or BACK
to repeat the process if you want to
calibrate the drives again.
Press ENTER to continue.
7.5. Calibrating PDMOVIE drives
TIP
If you don’t know, what type of
lens do you have, rotate the ring
on the lens barrel. If it stops at the
extreme positions and you cannot
rotate the ring any further, it’s the
manual lens with hard stops. If
you can rotate the ring on and
on, it’s the electronic lens with
by-wire engine. Note, that there are
lenses with both type of rings, e.g.
electronic by-wire for focus ring and
mechanical ring with hard-stops
for zoom.
NOTE
During manual calibration of the
PDMOVIE drives always observe
the scale on the lens and do not
exceed the extreme markings. It’s
crucial to keep the precision and
repeatability of the lens control
system.
NOTE
For safety reasons the KAIROS
controller will not work with the
drives, that are not calibrated.
CALIBRATION ~
Click ENTER to set
END bound
CALIBRATION ~
Calib. completed
ENTER: Finish
BACK: Repeat calib.

10
To access settings for axes 4-6,
press SHIFT + SET (1 for 4th axis,
etc). You can change the working
parameters (RAMP, SPEED) of
those axes in the settings menu.
TIP
You can also access all axes
menus from the main settings menu
- for details reffer to “11. KAIROS
controller settings” (p. 16).
TIP
8. LIVE CONTROL mode
8.1. Axis custom menu
After successful calibration the safety limits are applied and the KAIROS
controller automatically runs LIVE CONTROL mode. It’s basic mode, used to
operate connected drives in real time.
The device is immediately ready to work. You can control your drives with the
joystick and/or the knobs on the control panel of the KAIROS controller.
The LCD screen displays all
parameters of the devices. These
values can be altered by using
the control panel of the KAIROS
controller.
To scroll down the device’s list press
ENTER (as you cannot use joystick
for scrolling and navigating right now
- it’s used to control your head or
other devices).
To enter the axis custom menu, press SET button on the axis settings section
of the control panel. Axis settings LED will light up.
Live - behaviour of the axis in live mode:
ON - the axis is active in live mode;
PRLX - available for panorama axis only: the head works in parallax mode
- advanced solution for tracking shots; position of the head is linked
to the position of a slider (the camera rotates as the slider moves),
movement of the joystick doesn’t affect the rotation of the head; for
setting the Parallax mode refer to “9. PARALLAX” (p. 12).
OFF - the axis is inactive.
position - actual position of the drive, measured from one calibration point;
for linear drives (e.g. sliders) the value corresponds to position in millimeters,
for angular drives (e.g. remote heads) - position in degrees; for the PDMOVIE
drives the position values are steps in 0-7200 range;
RAMP - smooth start and stop adjustment („ramping”), specied in seconds;
the value is adjusted independently for each axis by a knob on the control panel
of the KAIROS controller;
SPEED - drive’s speed limit, specied as percentage of its maximum speed;
the value is adjusted independently for each axis by a knob on the control panel
of the KAIROS controller;
LIVE CONTROL ~
1S 124 32% 0.9s |
2P 49.6 44% 1.0s |
3T 39.0 99% 2.1s }
LIVE CONTROL ~
4F 2356 99% 0.1s {
5Z 346 99% 0.1s |
6I 1289 99% 0.1s |
axis number
drive indicator
position speed ramp
scrollbar