Germany - ProLight&Sound 2003: ChainMaster presented the prototype of a multi-bus control board with analogue and digital inputs and outputs, which is aimed at a wide variety of stage uses and complies with all relevant stage safety regulations. One example of the uses of the control board, say ChainMaster, is for calculating the tolerances of the chain hoists being employed. The Control Board is equipped with an onboard computer with a 16-bit processor (16MHz, 12kb RAM) and is therefore capable of intelligent communication with the buss systems Profibus, Interbus, Can-Bus, DeviceNet, RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485. A flash memory with a capacity of 128kb is provided for internal storage of data. This multi-functionality makes the Control Board the logical choice for use in the electrical engineering and automation engineering industries.Also on show from ChainMaster was a new add-on console for the VarioLift. The Extension Board is a useful complement to existing VarioLift controllers, offering manual control of different chain hoists at different speeds using two analogue joysticks. Several Extension Boards can be cascaded, and existing programs can run simultaneously, staggered in time. Free group assignment is a further useful feature, making the console suitable for live use.
