Uniblitz VCM-D1 User manual

User Manual
UNIBLITZ®
VCM-D1 Shutter Driver
14-0025
Version 2.0
2004

VCM-D1 User Manual 2
Vincent Associates products are covered by U.S. patents.
Information in this publication supercedes that in all previously published material. Due to our ongoing
development program, Vincent Associates reserves to right to discontinue or change specifications or
designs, at any time, without incurring any obligation.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Version 2.0 2004
Vincent Associates, a Division of VA, Inc., 803 Linden Ave., Rochester, NY 14625
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
UNIBLITZ is a registered trademark of VA, Inc.

VCM-D1 User Manual 3
WARRANTY
All products manufactured by VINCENT ASSOCIATES are warranted to
meet published specifications and to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship as defined in the specifications for 365 (one year) days from the
date of original shipment. MANUFACTURER will, at its own option, repair
or replace without charge any listed item discovered to be defective. Burned
out or otherwise damaged actuator coils are not covered under this warranty.
The buyer’s exclusive remedy and the limit of MANUFACTURER’S liability
for any loss whatsoever shall not exceed the purchase price paid by the buyer
for the goods to which a claim is made. MANUFACTURER does not give
any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or
of any other nature in connection with the sale of any products.
The MANUFACTURER will consider the return of unused equipment if
returned within 30 days from the original date of shipment, subject to a 20%
restocking charge. This offer does not apply to used or damaged equipment.
This warranty extends only to the original purchase and is not available to any
third party, including any purchaser assemblies or other products of which the
goods may become component equipment.
This warranty does not extend to cover damage resulting from alteration,
misuse, negligence, abuse, normal wear and tear, or accident.

VCM-D1 User Manual 4

VCM-D1 User Manual 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANTY................................................................................................................................................ 3
GENERAL SAFETY SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 6
Injury Precautions ......................................................................................................................... 6
Product Damage Precautions........................................................................................................ 6
Safety Terms and Symbols............................................................................................................ 7
PREFACE..................................................................................................................................................... 8
GETTING STARTED.................................................................................................................................. 9
Features........................................................................................................................................... 9
Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 10
Start Up......................................................................................................................................... 11
Line Fuse Replacement................................................................................................................ 11
Voltage Change............................................................................................................................. 12
Initial Operation and Testing...................................................................................................... 13
VCM-D1 FRONT PANEL OPERATOR CONTROLS.......................................................................... 15
Description.................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure #2 – VCM-D1 Front Panel Operator Controls.............................................................. 14
Notes.............................................................................................................................................. 17
VCM-D1 REAR PANEL OPERATOR CONTROLS............................................................................. 19
Description.................................................................................................................................... 19
Figure #4 – VCM-D1 Rear Panel Operator Controls and I/O................................................. 18
OPERATING BASICS .............................................................................................................................. 21
Function Switches......................................................................................................................... 21
GATE INPUT............................................................................................................................... 21
Gate Timing Diagrams................................................................................................................. 22
Figure #5A and 5B GATE Input Timing Diagram ................................................................... 22
Mode Selection.............................................................................................................................. 23
RS-232C Operation...................................................................................................................... 24
Figure #6 VCM-D1 Daisy Chain Cable Configuration............................................................. 25
RS-232 Test Program................................................................................................................... 26
Shutter Frequency of Operation................................................................................................. 28
Trigger Cautions and Trouble Shooting Tips............................................................................ 28
Pulse Voltage Graphs................................................................................................................... 29
Figure #7 Pulse Voltage vs. Exposure Time............................................................................... 29
Figure #8 Pulse Voltage vs. Frequency....................................................................................... 29
Figure #9 Overall VCM-D1 Dimensions.................................................................................... 30
Maintenance ................................................................................................................................. 31
INSPECTION AND CLEANING............................................................................................................. 31
General Care ................................................................................................................................ 31
Inspection and Cleaning Procedures.......................................................................................... 31
Inspection - Exterior.................................................................................................................... 32
Cleaning Procedure - Exterior.................................................................................................... 32
Cleaning Procedure – Interior.................................................................................................... 32
SPECIFICATIONS.................................................................................................................................... 33
INDEX......................................................................................................................................................... 39

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General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this
product or any products connected to it. To avoid potential hazards, use the product only
as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
Injury Precautions
•Use proper Power Cord – To avoid fire hazard, use only the power cord supplied with this product.
•Avoid Electric Overload – To avoid electrical shock or fire hazard, do not apply a voltage to a
terminal that is outside the range specified for that terminal.
•Avoid Electric Shock – To avoid injury or loss of life, do not connect or disconnect line cord while
it is connected to the line voltage.
•Ground the Product – This product is grounded through the grounding conductor of the power
cord. To avoid electrical shock, the grounding connector must be connected to earth ground. Before
making connections to the input or output terminals of the product, ensure that the product is
properly grounded. DO NOT DEFEAT THE GROUND CONNECTION ON THE SUPPLIED
LINE CORD.
•Access to On/Off Switch – Due to the position of the unit’s power switch at the rear panel, do not
position the unit such that it is difficult to operate the on/off switch.
•Do Not Operate Without Cover – To avoid electric shock or fire hazard, do not operate this
product with the cover removed.
•Use Proper Fuse – To avoid fire hazard, use only the fuse type and rating specified for this product.
•Do Not operate in Wet/Damp Conditions – To avoid electric shock, do not operate this product in
wet or damp conditions.
•Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere – To avoid injury or fire hazard, do not operate this
product in an explosive atmosphere.
Product Damage Precautions
•Use Proper Power Source – Do not operate this product from a power source that applies more
than the voltage specified.
•Provide Proper Ventilation – To prevent product overheating, provide proper ventilation.
•Do Not Operate with Suspected Failures – If you suspect there is damage to this product, have it
inspected by qualified service personnel.

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Safety Terms and Symbols
These terms appear in this manual
These symbols appear on the equipment
WARNING
CAUTION
ATTENTION – Refer to user manual.
Warning statements identify conditions or practices that
could result in injury or loss of life.
Caution statements identify conditions or practices that
could result in damage to this product or other property.

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Preface
This Manual provides information for the VCM-D1 Shutter Driver. The manual
contains the following chapters:
•Getting Started contains a brief product description, information needed to power on
the drivers, fuse replacement and voltage change information, and a brief procedure
to verify that it functions.
•Operator Controls provide an outline of the panel control functions and locations at
the front and rear panels. This also includes the location and function of the
input/output signals.
•Operating Basics give further details to the operational features of the controllers.
•Specifications are described for all input/output levels, including other pertinent
details and information required for the RS-232 interface.
•Index contains a full index.
Following is the complete operators manual for the UNIBLITZ VCM-D1.
Please read this manual completely before operating your unit. Due to the
construction of this unit, we recommend that the unit be returned to the
manufacturer for repair, no user serviceable parts inside.

VCM-D1 User Manual 9
Getting Started
Features
The UNIBLITZ VCM-D1 replaces the VMM-D1 controller for those customers
requiring CE/UL/CSA certification. The VCM-D1 contains all of the features of the
VMM-D1, in addition to some new features, which enhance the units’ capability in even
more demanding applications.
These new features include:
•UL/CSA certified and CE compliant.
•An addressable RS-232 input through an RJ-45 input connector. Eight VCM-D1
units can also be daisy chained together by connecting the RJ-45 output to the RJ-45
input of the next controller within the chain. The user can select an address for each
unit in the chain at the rear panel.
•Switching capability on all input and output BNC connectors to provide either an
active high or an active low, logic trigger level.
•An AUX (auxiliary) output that can be toggled high to low and low to high by RS-
232 commands.
•A GATE INPUT which will allow the user to select single (or multiple) trigger
signal(s) from a stream of trigger signals.
•A LOCAL/REMOTE switch which will effectively "disconnect" all input signals
from the controller allowing the user to manually control the shutter without the need
to remove the signals from the BNC inputs or the terminal strip - located at the front
panel. RS-232C signals are also disabled in the LOCAL position.
•A manually re-configurable AC input module. The user will need to manually re-
configure the unit for 230VAC operation. This AC input module includes the AC
power cord input connector, power switch, dual ½ A “T” (slow blow) type 3AG line
fuses (for 115VAC operation), line voltage change over fuse holder, and line filter.
(For 230VAC operation user must change fuses to ¼ A “T” type 3AG line fuses.)
•A switch to disable the Electronic Synchronization System of a shutter so equipped.
•A new ODU type shutter output connector (push-lock type).
•Enhanced CONTROL terminal at the front panel which now also includes the
+5VDC and AUX outputs (which were located at the rear panel with the VMM-D1).
All voltage outputs are internally fuse protected – not user serviceable.

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Introduction
The UNIBLITZ VCM-D1 is capable of controlling all shutter types in the
UNIBLITZ product line. The VCM-D1 has successfully completed and is compliant the
tests listed under “APPLICABLE CERTIFICATIONS” on page #38 of this manual
allowing it to be certified to CE/UL/CSA Safety and EMC certifications. The VCM-D1
incorporates a state of the art shutter driver while relying on the users input signal to
determine exposure and frequency.
One feature of the VCM-D1 is the selection of interrupt mode. With the mode
switch in the “A” position, the unit will disable itself upon an AC line loss. When power
is restored, the unit will remain disabled until reset. In the “B” position the unit will
become disabled when a DC voltage level is removed from the interrupt input. When the
input is restored, the unit will remain disabled until reset. The STD mode will bypass the
interrupt capability. This mode selection makes the VCM-D1 more versatile for
applications where the shutter must not re-open until acted upon by the user.
Another added feature of this unit is the GATE INPUT, the GATE INPUT is used
in conjunction with the TRIGGER INPUT. This input allows the user to “pick” one or a
finite number of trigger pulses to trigger the controller from a continuous stream of pulses
presented at the TRIGGER INPUT.
This unit also contains an addressable RS-232 input. By connecting the RJ-45
OUTPUT of one controller to the RJ-45 INPUT connector of the next controller in the
chain (using our 810RJ cable) multiple controllers can be connected together. In fact
eight separate addresses allow up to eight units to be individually controlled via one
computer serial port!
The patented driver design of the VCM-D1 allows the controller to operate all
shutter types in the UNIBLITZ product line.
A 3 meter 7-pin (Wire-Pro) female to 7-pin (ODU push-lock) male shutter inter-
connect cable is also included with each unit (cable model number - 710B).