Theatre automation

J D Automation Ltd

JD Automation deliver bespoke solutions to the theatre industry for flying scenery and people. These are complex multi axis systems. The show cues are programmed from a PC which runs JDA's own Autocue software.

My job here was to modify the Autocue PC software and Jetter CPU software to control 4 sets of 5 axis. Each set of 5 axis were mounted on a bridge which traverses a theatre. Each bridge contained a CPU to control the motion and a second "supervisory" CPU to monitor the motion profile. A programmable Allen Bradley safety PLC was used to interlock all the safety devices. The picture here shows the project during the early stages of commissioning.

It is always quite a challenge unravelling someone elses code and modifying it to this extent. So, good team work was essential and an ability to understand how complex systems work. As much work as possible was done in the UK, before all the kit was exported to the Kingdom of Dreams theatre in Delhi.

The PC code was written in VB6 and the PLCs use Jetter's own version of Structured Text. It took several months to develop the machine, the deadline was very real, a show in front of high paying Bollywood stars, no pressure then!

We couldn't have done it without you!

Mike Matchett (Managing Director)