Theatre Automation | Art with a modern twist.

As audience expectations grow, theatres are using automation equipment to enhance performances, accelerate scene changes and give stage-staff a participative role in managing the way automation is integrated into a performance.

As part of the EU project to improve the infrastructure at the TeatrWielki in Łódź, the aim of which was to shape and develop the regional cultural identity in Łódź province based on the operatic arts, Mitsubishi Electric was asked to take part in building a concept and supplying equipment to put this task into effect. To make this application a reality, the proposal was to use the most state-of-the-art regenerative frequency inverters.

Slicker scene changes

What lay behind these modernisations was the idea of increasing the speed of scene changes on the stage, to enable the most demanding of shows to be put on. Cutting the time needed to move decorative frames and mobile components of the scenery by making use, among other things, of frequency inverters would also enable a transition to be made from doing things manually to automation, as hitherto everything had been controlled by a number of operators.

The modernisation work began in 2013, and was directed by the Infrastructure Director, GrzegorzKruchły, on the TeatrWielki side, and GrzegorzKozioł from Mitsubishi Electric. AB Industry, which won the tender, came to us with a cooperation proposal, as Mitsubishi Electric already had relevant experience in this sector. Several control systems had already been successfully installed in theatres, including those in Tarnów and Koszalin.

Optical fibre communications

This project, though, was different from those that had gone before. Requirements had arisen which were linked to mixing of the control modes (between fully automated and manual) and synchronisation of many drives using optical fibre communications. This aspect required the creation of special software for inverters that would meet the above requirements. The objective was achieved through close cooperation with the application section located at Mitsubishi Electric’s head office in Japan. It is notable that this was the first application of this type in Europe.

The automation at the TeatrWielki in Łódź was not only based on the installation of 62 inverters, but was also supported by a Mitsubishi Electric MELSEC iQ platform with MOTION modules controlling movement, GOT series HMI panels and a SCADA system.

New actors –Regenerative inverters

Mitsibishi FR-A741 regenerative inverters possess an integrated regenerative braking function which enables energy to be saved and costs to be reduced in applications with a high torque, such as hoisting winches, lifts, winders, conveyors, testing machines and centripetal separators. The regeneration function also enables smaller and less expensive systems to be created and simpler and more compact distribution equipment systems, which economises on space in control cabinets and keeps costs down.

Energy savings, plus 60% savings in installation work and 40% savings in the installation space needed for the electrical cabinet, meant a reduction in total commissioning and operating costs.

See the TeatrWielki on YouTube

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