MiniTec's aluminium profile system used as innovative camera rig

A good example of this is a project recently concluded by MiniTec in co-operation with a digital photography company who needed a structure on which to mount cameras to shoot subject matter whereby multiples images are captured and scanned by multiple camera shots/angles.

It had proved to be very impractical and cumbersome to construct a jig out of scaffolding. MiniTec, with the help of the client, came up with an approach which is far more than just a customised multiple camera tripod. Several hurdles had to be overcome.

Using the modular aluminium profile system to best effect, a dome-shaped structure was designed with an open top - reminiscent of the old Shakespearean open air Globe theatre! At some 2m high and with a diameter of over 4m the structure has to support 140 cameras located at specific points on the frame in order to capture precisely the right detail of the subject being shot. The framework had to be free-standing with no subject movement being transmitted to the cameras, which may cause poor-quality scanning and images. The legs of the structure therefore pass through large-diameter holes in a raised stage. The robust profile system from MiniTec proved to be useful for providing a rigid framework upon which to mount the large number of cameras, each of which is located on specially strengthened platforms.

At the heart of the MiniTec system is the Powerlock fastening method, which requires no specific preparation, pre-machining or special tools and uses standard off-the-shelf fasteners. The use of standard M8 fasteners reduces the cost of the overall package of profiles and locking system considerably compared with many other systems which incorporate brand-specific locking systems. Thus the only tool required to set up or dismantle a system is an Allen Key.

More information about the many uses of MiniTec's modular aluminium profile systems can be found at www.minitec.co.uk.