Film audiences shaken by Festo fluidic muscles 06 October 2010

So-called 4D effects supplier Simworx is basing its dynamic seat modules on Festo 'fluidic muscles'.

Its seats bring additional realism to 3D movies by subjecting occupants to movements synchronised to the film – such as vibration and drops, as well as leg tickling, air-blasts and water sprays.

The Kingswinford, West Midlands-based firm came up with a modular design for its latest Dimensions range, with all motion control actuators in a shallow, floor-standing plinth, supporting four seats.

Simworx director Andy Roberts says there are two models: the 4D seats, which feature backwards drop and vibration, and 5D models, which add forwards/backwards tilt, left-right tilt and vertical drop. Additionally, the headrest of each seat can be equipped with air-blast and water spray, while the pedestal gets a pneumatically-powered leg tickler.

"I first became aware of Festo's fluidic muscles when I attended a technology showcase at the company's HQ in Northampton," comments Roberts.

"It was immediately apparent that the muscles are considerably better than conventional pneumatic actuators for simulator-type applications. They provide excellent dynamic performance and have a much higher power density," he explains.

Simworx chose the most powerful 40mm diameter versions of Festo's latest-generation DMSP series fluidic muscles, employing press-fitted connections to minimise size and weight. Each four-seat plinth module now contains four such units – one in each corner – together with four manifold-mounted Festo VPPM proportional pressure regulators and a control unit.

The VPPMs use a cascaded dual-stage regulator, designed to provide an easy and precise means of varying flow to the pneumatic actuators. The compressed air supply is generated outside the theatre to minimise noise, and distributed to each seat module via a pneumatic ring main, with the exhauste air released locally, via Festo silencers.

As for control, each seat module uses fieldbus, with event triggers from the film instructing a central controller, which, in turn, issues appropriate signals – be they pitch, rock, vibrate or sudden drop – in sync.

Recently installations include the Manchester Science Museum and the firm is currently putting the finishing touches to a system for an indoor theme park on Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Festo Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.