
Tower Rides at Theme Parks Require Elevated Tech
Free-fall towers and vertical swings place extreme demands on equipment including high mechanical loads and wide temperature fluctuations. Here's how they achieve reliable and safe operation.
Edited by EE Staff
Theme Parks
Jun 12, 2026
To ensure flexible designs are reliable even under adverse conditions, Conductix-Wampfler provides a wide range of modular concepts so that future expansions are easy to implement. Reliable and precise data transmission is the key to the safety and control of modern tower rides, which is why the company relies on real-time communication technologies that fit seamlessly into the attractions' designs. The optional use of customized colors enables perfect visual integration without compromising the attractions' spectacular appearance.
The mobile control systems from Conductix-Wampfler guarantee safe and precise control even at high speeds and accelerations. With automated safety mechanisms and flexible motion programs, operators create an incomparable ride experience that meets the highest safety standards.

Some of the key equipment that the company offers includes conductor rails that guarantee reliable power along linear travel paths. These rails can be bent into a ring to work with the rotating hanger on a vertical swing, enabling a 360 degree access to power and data. Even smooth winder use is possible through the use of an optional rail de-icing system.
Conductix-Wampfler incorporates reliable real-time data transmission through slotted waveguide technology. Their inductive systems offer contactless, low-maintenance energy transmission and are ideal for rides that are subject to high mechanical loads due to acceleration and vibrations. To ensure that all motion sequences and effects are perfectly synchronized, the company incorporates their mobile control system.
Mobile Controls
Conductix-Wampfler Mobile Controls type ST-87x/ST-88x of the LJU “Series 8” control systems are compact, programmable Mobile Controls intended for driving a single motion axis. These control systems are designed for the operation and control of a defined range of motors in industrial and commercial plants.

LJU Mobile Controls constantly evaluate the incoming commands from the system controller (e.g. via control rail) and determine the travel behavior of the transport suspension system by linking it to the current parameter setting locally implemented in the LJU Mobile Control Unit. In this way, different signals in different areas of the system can be used to achieve the desired travel behavior (e.g. slow positioning speed, high transport speed, brake release, etc.). The drive motor is driven as long as the control system detects a valid signal, and no stop command is received.
External sensors connected to the control systems are monitored and evaluated independently by the control systems. If a stop command is detected, the control system brings the vehicle to a complete stop. After the stop command is cancelled, the control system starts up again according to the set delay time. Building blocks to add Functional Safety are available upon request.
For functions such as manual movement of a vehicle, the control systems can be addressed by means of an infra-red hand-held remote control. Assigning parameters to the control system’s defined data records can be transferred to the control system using the MU-705 manual programming device. Data records consist of vehicle parameters, PCM configuration tables, and vehicle tables.

The vehicle parameters and configuration switches are used to set the vehicle behavior according to the system requirements and are able to activate or deactivate individual control system functions. Various additional control system functions can be activated, deactivated, and set. Positive values from 0 to a maximum 65,535 can be set as parameter values. Configuration switches are a part of the vehicle parameters.
Vehicle tables contain data, which is accessed by certain control system functions. This data is assigned to the system in which the vehicle control system is used. The vehicle tables are used to set values that affect the motion and positioning functions.
In the PCM command system, different half-wave patterns are transmitted to the vehicle control system via the PCM hardware. The vehicle control system is able to recognize these commands and adjust its behavior accordingly. The PCM configuration table defines how the vehicle control system behaves with a PCM command.
To decelerate a vehicle slowly, bring it to a controlled stop, and to spare the brakes, the control systems offer the option of regenerative braking. Application software and operating parameters can be transmitted to the control system via infra-red by means of the optional MU-705 manual programming device.
The control systems continuously monitor the basic conditions of the vehicle and, in the event of a fault, issue a differentiated message via the integrated display and, if used, a collective fault message is sent to the higher-level system controller via the signal rail. The control systems are equipped with a display that allows easy and clear reading of the status messages or error states.
For information:
Mobile Controls type ST-87x/ST-88x
