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About Us Our Core Values We believe that design engineers are an investment in our futures. That engineers are interesting people who are motivated to produce something from nothing, or to produce something better from what we already have available. We believe that engineers deserve to have fun at their jobs, to enjoy technology, and to express their creativity in ways many people never get the chance to. Entertainment Engineering magazine was created as a magazine for engineers. Our goal is to provide technological pieces that provide ideas for tech transfer across all vertical markets from aerospace to semiconductor and from off highway to medical. While providing interesting information, we want engineers to ‘enjoy the ride’, to feel good about their jobs and themselves. And to enjoyably educate themselves along the way. Our Team Co-Founder Terry Persun For over thirty-five years, Terry Persun has been working in the B2B world in senior marketing and editorial positions. He has also taught physics and electronics at the college level. He has written and published literally hundreds of technical articles in over thirty different vertical markets for design engineers of various disciplines including electrical/ electronics, mechanical engineering, fluid power, machine tools, 3D printing, and more. Terry holds a BS and MA and applies his learning to everything he does. Co-Founder Bruce Wiebusch Bruce Wiebusch grew up in a family that was involved with B2B marketing, from strategic planning to sales, to editorial. Bruce has worked in senior marketing and editorial positions for over thirty years. He uses his business degree to enhance every aspect of his work life, including with Entertainment Engineering magazine. He has worked with several marketing agencies and has written and edited hundreds of technical articles for all of the major OEM publications in the B2B market. Bruce is also the author of a book on maximizing your PR. Client Strategist Mark Wiebusch “Whoever knows the customer best WINS.” Superior strategy, strong execution and the right metrics provide a clear view of how to win in the market, and with customers. For over 35 years, Mark has sharpened his “street-smart” instincts in management, sales and marketing management, and in front of customers. He still does. Outcomes matter. Working for leadership media brands in B2B, across several major industry segments, Mark's skills in optimizing marketing investments, driving brand awareness/preference, leadership positioning, market insights, new business opportunities and conversions are talents he brings every day. Mark is a business guy. Senior Editor & Content Production Manager Nicole Persun Nicole Persun has over a decade of experience working with online publications and businesses to provide everything from marketing strategies to editorial selection and delivery. An expert in content production, she continues to expand the capabilities of whatever business she is working with. Her services have been instrumental in helping online businesses to thrive and grow even in tough markets—as well as adapt to the ever-changing shifts in digital content production and marketing. Nicole has both BA and MFA degrees that she uses in her everyday work. Content Advisor Joe Gillard After serving as Editor-in-Chief for several major business-to-business magazine brands, Joe Gillard brings a high-integrity approach to the editorial and content requirements for every brand and multi-channel audience engagement. Joe’s skills in the marketing agency business leverages a strong foundation; handling large online and digital accounts for numerous companies. His approach to business and market development is a big plus for EE’s push into new markets and audience development. Joe's experience is key to our growth plans. Our History An idea is a funny thing. If talked about, it gains momentum; if researched, it gains structure; and if acted upon, it manifests. When first created, Entertainment Engineering was the very first online-only B2B publication. We were ahead of our time and competing with traditional print magazines that were not ready to change to meet the times. We even considered moving to print to better compete directly. For years, we interviewed hundreds of design engineers in multiple disciplines in the OEM and MRO markets. Those engineers were adamant about what they were looking for in a magazine. We listened! Every month, these same engineers and more returned to Entertainment Engineering because the magazine was interesting and fun to read. We also learned that whenever engineering professionals read about a product or service, they instantly consider how that product or service relates to the projects they are presently working on. Our articles might be of general interest, but they have wide engineering applicability. We call that technology transfer, and it is how engineers learn about new technologies. What better place to learn than in fun and interesting entertainment applications, which provide an emotional component to their experience. Entertainment Engineering grabs their attention emotionally and feeds their curiosity with new technologies. Our readers are from over 24 different industries from aerospace to machine tool and from construction to semiconductor and from broadcast to medical. These engineers purchase a broad range of products in the OEM world. In fact, we reach engineers who decide and influence the purchase of products and services in most component- and device-level categories. The right magazine with the right articles and stories brings a targeted audience to its pages. And the best magazines bring readers back again and again, delivering motivated purchasers to you.

In an unprecedented and innovative approach to cooling technology, one company has found a way to use water as a refrigerant. Using Water as a Refrigerant? This Company Says "Yes" In an unprecedented and innovative approach to cooling technology, one company has found a way to use water as a refrigerant. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Feb 2, 2026 This is the type of innovation Entertainment Engineering loves to report on. It’s interesting and inventive and can be used across multiple industries. Cooling is important, particularly during certain times of the year when cooling becomes necessary for industrial manufacturing processes, machine and cabinet cooling, IT computer centers, control rooms, offices, and more. Cooling plays an important role in controlling energy costs and complying with energy efficiency regulations. It can also eliminate costly losses due to damaged IT equipment, machines, or food spoilage—and creates a safe place for people to work. Most refrigeration systems rely on traditional refrigerants like fluorinated gases (F-gases), ammonia, or propane. However, these conventional refrigerants pose threats to the environment, safety, and human health. F-gases contribute to ozone depletion and global warming while ammonia is toxic and propane inflammable. Therefore, there has been a widespread search for safe, clean, sustainable, and affordable refrigerants. When a KNF customer developed their design to use water as a refrigerant, one of the key components they incorporated was a KNF pump. The cooling system relies on pure water, also called R718, to be used. This solution is the first and only water-based chiller in the world to be mass-produced. The core of the technology is that water, as highly energy driven refrigerant, works in a closed circuit where it is continuously evaporated, compressed, and condensed. The inherent system requires a constant and precise vacuum. The main advantages lie in the technology's outstanding efficiency and sustainability. It enables electricity savings of up to 80 percent compared to current conventional cooling systems and generates almost zero CO2 emissions. Because it uses only water, the technology poses no risk to humans or the environment. Filling the system, service, and maintenance, including the recycling is simple and there is no need to lean on safety regulations like the ones used for traditional refrigerants. Water can be used as a refrigerant thanks to a precise and constant vacuum in the system, which needs to be maintained during all operations. Only under the right vacuum does water undergo the changes of state at temperatures required for using water as a refrigerant. This creates high demands on the vacuum pump. It needs to operate in areas between 10 and 100 mbar abs. and in temperature ranges from 5 °C to 45 °C. In addition, the pump must operate oil-free and reliably over long periods without maintenance. A small footprint and a general high robustness are vital, and the pumps must be able to cope with the challenging steam environment in the chiller. Therefore, diaphragm pump technology is ideal for the task and ultimately led to a collaboration between the system’s manufacturer and KNF, the leader in diaphragm pump technology. Pump image courtesy of KNF. The final pump used in the system is based on the KNF N 813.3 series, tailored to the specific customer application. For a higher rotational speed, the motor has been digitally parametrized. This is possible because the brushless DC motor is an in-house developed component, allowing KNF to make advanced digital adjustments. On the suction side, the pump was fitted with a head plate with permanently open gas ballast, a filter, and a nozzle. The gas ballast helps remove condensate from the pump, ensuring ideal performance. Despite its powerful performance and the high motor rotation speed, the vacuum pump operates very quietly and with low vibration. This opens the possibility to use the chiller in residential buildings and in manufacturing processes where low-noise operation is important. This example illustrates how the quality of one component like a pump can have a major effect on the entire system and its applicability for different areas. It also shows that customizing a pump collaboratively can lead to solutions that would otherwise not have been possible. For more information: KNF Pump N 813 * Pump image courtesy of KNF. Other images are from Depositphotos.com . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

This VR experience features realistic and intuitive navigation, helpful advice from Mission Control, and compelling and visceral science-related content. Explore the International Space Station with Immersive VR Experience This VR experience features realistic and intuitive navigation, helpful advice from Mission Control, and compelling and visceral science-related content. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Oct 28, 2025 Every person on the planet, young and old alike, has wondered about our place in the universe. The idea of space creates a deep yearning for answers and experiences in all of us, and it serves as a common, unifying thread for humanity. NASA wanted to bring the magic of space travel to everyone and teamed up with Magnopus to bring Mission: I SS into reality and to help promote these common feelings through thrilling immersive technology. Mission: ISS lets users explore the International Space Station in detail to understand what it’s like to be an astronaut in a way that’s never before been possible. Based on NASA models and honed with input from astronauts who have lived in space, Mission: ISS recreates the International Space Station in painstaking detail. Users can experience how to move and work in zero-gravity, use space tools, dock a space capsule, and take a spacewalk. Images courtesy of Magnopus, NASA, and Meta. Real astronauts provide a sense of presence through instructional video clips. With strong STEM-related themes, anyone can take part in experiments and actual missions on the station. Since the experience is fully immersive, users feel a sense of weightlessness that can only be felt in VR, similar to what astronauts feel—a fact that Mission: ISS’s astronaut advisors have confirmed. In fact, more than one astronaut said it was like making a return trip! VR experiences are ideal for taking users to places that are too dangerous or too expensive to go. With that in mind, Mission: ISS was designed to remove those barriers—literally anyone with a VR headset can get a taste of space exploration. Images courtesy of Magnopus, NASA, and Meta. Mission: ISS is a non-profit initiative. It is freely available on Meta’s Quest store and has been demonstrated at science exhibits, international conferences, fairs, and exhibitions across North America and Europe to wide acclaim. The experience has won multiple awards including those from the Television Academy, VR Awards, XR Awards, and was even nominated for an Emmy. For more information: Magnopus NASA Meta Read more about applications in space >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Beckhoff provides the automation flexibility and reliability needed to convert walls, floors, and backdrops according to performance schedules. 60 Stage Configurations Supported by Flexible Automation Beckhoff provides the automation flexibility and reliability needed to convert walls, floors, and backdrops according to performance schedules. Edited by Terry Persun Stage Events Sep 12, 2025 The Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York (PAC NYC) offers visitors a truly unique theater experience. Advanced stage technology makes its three performance spaces extremely versatile. At the foot of Manhattan’s One World Trade Center building and across from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum stands the PAC NYC. While it offers programming similar to other major New York City theaters, the mission of this gathering space is distinctly communal. “PAC NYC is a place of civic healing,” says Miranda Palumbo, Director of Digital Content at PAC NYC. “Because we are on the World Trade Center campus, it's our responsibility to help everyone celebrate life.” The venue features three performance spaces that can flexibly combine or divide into over 62 configurations. The backstage technology also supports dynamic set changes and flying performers through the air. To harness the necessary engineering behind the performance art, PAC NYC directed The Chicago Flyhouse, Inc. and its programming partner, ELPLANT, to implement a safe, reliable, and flexible stage automation system. Flyhouse provides rigging, hoisting, and performer flying equipment for venues across the world ranging from hospitals and high schools to theaters and arenas. Distributed Control Flyhouse incorporated its distributed “MoM-and-Kid” control concept where a central server, Master of Machines,(MoM), communicates to distributed modules (the Kids). The more than 30 Kid modules at PAC NYC each have their own Beckhoff CX9020 Embedded PC and EtherCAT I/O wired to control Flyhouse’s ZipLift hoists and other equipment. The modules can be easily moved, connected to other hoists, or swapped for maintenance. Image courtesy of Beckhoff. The large number of Kid modules and their associated motion axes throughout the theater level raised the bar on the facility’s networking capabilities. The Flyhouse technologies also needed to interface with other vendors’ solutions such as the systems to raise and lower the massive walls or change the floor configuration to be flat or stairstep up. This meant that safety zones had to adjust dynamically as spaces changed to ensure human and equipment safety. “Even though the duty cycles are relatively short in theaters, we needed the reliability that comes with industrial automation.” Beckhoff supplied an ideal solution. The EtherCAT and PC-based control technology provides a foundation for seamless operation and high adaptability. Flyhouse collaborated with Beckhoff USA and ELPLANT to design next-generation control modules. ELPLANT, an ISO 9001-certified systems integrator based in Serbia, brought expertise in industrial automation and entertainment applications. CEO of ELPLANT, Aleksandar Arsić , explained, “Beckhoff was undoubtedly the logical choice, as few systems could provide such a modular and configurable architecture.” The system incorporated TwinCAT PLC, NC PTP motion control, TwinSAFE safety systems, extensive EtherCAT communication, TwinCAT PLC visualizations, TwinCAT HMI, database communication, and ADS with third-party applications, such as C# WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) operator consoles and similar solutions. Real-time communication allowed the team to configure the topology so that each embedded PC or other EtherCAT device operated as an independent sync unit. Much of the equipment also features EtherCAT P, which combines data and power on one cable. This configuration allows techs to remove or add Kid modules without taking all the others offline. Beyond sheer speed and robust diagnostics, the EtherCAT supports free selection of topology. It also offers hot connect functionality and automatic addressing of devices, simplifying component exchange and plug-and-play installation. Flyhouse also harnessed integrated functional safety with TwinSAFE terminals. Here, safety information is transmitted via Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) over the standard EtherCAT network, rather than a separate, hardwired system. Beyond the reduction in wiring effort and cost, TwinSAFE simplified implementation of the configurable theater concept. Flyhouse deployed its Ease® Control Console in each theater space, simplifying axis operation with joysticks and a multi-touch screen with a visualization built with TwinCAT Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). The consoles can’t access axes outside the operator’s line of sight for safety reasons, so, when raising walls to combine spaces, the consoles need to control all the axes in that larger room. Likewise, E-stop buttons need to halt all motion in combined spaces if required, meaning that the MoM-and-Kid architecture must change on the fly. This could have been incredibly complex to implement, but with the flexibility of EtherCAT and software capabilities in TwinCAT, it was seamlessly implemented. The modular system will continue to support upgrades, and with a scalable, future-proof automation platform, this process won’t require a rip-and-replace of infrastructure. Instead, technicians can simply make changes in software or replace a device with a newer version. Beyond reducing costs, this approach avoids unwanted intermissions to find obsolete components. To Mark Witteveen, when the lights dim and the stage comes to life, the audience isn’t thinking about automation, he says. “They’re simply immersed in the magic. And that experience makes all the effort worthwhile.” For more information: Beckhoff PAC NYC Flyhouse Elplant Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

This interactive boat ride only requires one main pump for multiple, dynamic water features that spray at different heights in varying sequences. The Surprisingly Clever Water Technology Behind Camp Snoopy's River Raft Ride This interactive boat ride only requires one main pump for multiple, dynamic water features that spray at different heights in varying sequences. Edited by EE Staff Theme Parks Dec 15, 2025 For nearly a century, Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters have captivated American audiences, propelling a once regional newspaper comic strip into a multibillion-dollar franchise, spanning movies, TV specials, merchandise, and attractions. Now, Camp Snoopy at Carowinds, an amusement park located on the border of North and South Carolina, takes the franchise a step further by offering guests a fully immersive Peanuts experience built around a lineup of interactive themed rides and attractions. Camp Snoopy’s latest attraction, Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast, brings more to the park than simply thrills and excitement. Designed by leading aquatic design and engineering firm Martin Aquatic, the attraction features a track-based interactive boat ride developed by German manufacturer Mack Rides set within a sprawling 10,420-square-foot, 208,103-gallon basin. Dispersed throughout the basin, Peanuts-themed water features activate as rafts pass, delivering a sequence of sprays and splashes that ensure no two rides feel the same. Engineering Innovation River Raft Blast is unique in how its water features are supplied and controlled. Instead of drawing water directly from the ride basin using a series of submersible pumps, Martin Aquatic chose to supply each feature from a single, centralized manifold fed by one main pump. This configuration would normally have supported a static design, limiting each themed water feature to producing only a constant stream of water. However, by installing a new low-power, fast-acting proportional valve called the SplashValve beneath each Peanuts character, each is able to operate as its own dynamic water feature, spraying water at different heights and in varying sequences. Park ride photos courtesy of Six Flags Entertainment. “By specifying SplashValves instead of distributed submersible pumps,” says Martin Aquatic Technical Director Diego Cordova, “we’re not splashing guests with water pulled from the fountain basin. All of that water is coming directly from the filtration system, so we know it’s been thoroughly treated before it comes in contact with the guest.” Developed by aquatic technology firm SplashBotix, the SplashValve employs a servo-actuated three-way valve capable of directing water to the nozzle, to the basin, or to varying proportions of both flow paths, allowing for dynamic on/off sequencing and spray height control. The valves enable designers like Martin Aquatic to produce a simpler, more streamlined water feature design that uses lower voltage, lower power submerged equipment while maximizing both guest engagement and safety. Park ride photos courtesy of Six Flags Entertainment. During the design phase, members of Martin Aquatic and Six Flags Entertainment’s creative group worked with SplashBotix at its Austin, Texas test pool facility to mock-up each feature prior to specifying the SplashValve as part of their solution. “The SplashBotix test pool has become an extremely valuable tool for us,” says SplashBotix Program Director Ronn Garland. “Designers need a space where they can experiment in a production-like environment and verify that they’re taking the right approach. Conducting real life mock-ups of each themed effect is a critical step in proving out the creative vision.” The River Raft Blast also relies on a SplashBotix Main Control Panel (MCP) pump room controller to automatically control and synchronize the pumps, valves, and water treatment system supporting the main basin. The MCP is a PLC-based controller that takes inputs from various sensors and field devices and controls pumps such that the system’s regenerative media filter and chemical feed systems are able to effectively treat the water as it cycles between the basin and the surge tank. MCP and SplashValve photos courtesy of SplashBotix by ARM Automation. Using the MCP, ride operators can easily turn the basin on and off from its 10” touch screen HMI rather than having to independently operate the pumps and water chemistry systems manually. They can also glean various insights from the MCP about the status of the ride basin, including everything from equipment faults and alarms to visualizations reflecting the basin’s water level, temperature, and more. Since opening in July 2025, Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast has been enormously popular, providing guests of all ages with yet another new and exciting way to engage with the Peanuts universe almost 75 years after its inception. More than just an exciting water attraction, however, the ride demonstrates how modern technologies are making it possible for theme park engineers to push the envelope in developing exciting new guest experiences without compromising on safety or ease of operation. For more information: SplashBotix Martin Aquatic Mack Rides Carowinds Read more about water features >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The MoonBike was specifically designed for speed, endurance, low maintenance, and fun. World's First Electric Snowbike is Highly Maneuverable and Reliable The MoonBike was specifically designed for speed, endurance, low maintenance, and fun. Edited by EE Staff Sports Apr 10, 2026 How do you get outstanding maneuverability across snow-covered terrain? That’s only one of the concerns MoonBike had when designing the low center of gravity, narrow width snowbike. Add to this uniquely designed bike optimized weight distribution and it doesn’t matter if you’re carving through groomed trails or navigating untouched powder, you get a responsive and agile ride every time. This high maneuverability is designed in. Born in the French Alps, MoonBike is now part of ENVO Drive, one of the leaders in light-weight and flexible electric mobility vehicles. ENVO’s acquisition ensures that MoonBike riders benefit from world-class service, global distribution, and continuous product innovation while preserving the original Alpine spirit. Images courtesy of ENVO Drive. Easy to ride for beginners yet thrilling for experienced riders, MoonBike offers a seamless riding experience, that is both smooth and stable. As an electric snow scooter, the MoonBike uses zero fuel, produces zero emissions, and runs silently, for eco-friendly performance. MoonBike Technology The MoonBike now uses the ENVO Stax pro with advanced CANbus for smarter, safer riding. Stax pro monitors battery health and diagnostics, delivering information to the rider directly on the MoonBike display. The ENVO batter incorporates a battery management system for safety and to increases battery life. Plus, the cells are optimized for freezing temperatures. In addition, the bike features a heated battery box that provides smooth performance even at -13 degrees F. This allows the MoonBike to maintain its power and reliability in the coldest conditions. Images courtesy of ENVO Drive. The MoonBike is designed with torque sensor technology that provides natural and intuitive power delivery to the bike, while the battery communicates with the charger for safer charging. The removeable battery has a range of up to 62 miles per charge, can be charged on or off the bike frame using a CC-CV smart Li-Ion charger. For high-speed stability and handling on trails as well as asphalt, the design includes what the company calls x-Fusion suspension where the suspension mono-shock front fork delivers up to 25mm of travel. With fewer than 200 parts, no chain, and no belt, MoonBike is engineered for simplicity and long-term reliability. Its direct drive electric motor requires minimal upkeep, making it an ideal winter vehicle for both personal and commercial use. The whole design concept was to allow customers to spend more time riding and less time wrenching. For information: Envo Drive Moonbike by Envo Moonbikes Read more sports articles >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Stage lighting rigging uses spring cable drums to solve a complex challenge. Creative Rigging Solution for Moveable Nightclub Ceiling Stage lighting rigging uses spring cable drums to solve a complex challenge. Stage Events Jul 28, 2025 Cool Stuff Winner of the bronze vector award in 2024, French company Mecaoctet has created a movable ceiling for a nightclub in the Accor Arena in Paris. For the power supply, the designers rely on slip-ring-free spring cable drums from the igus e-spool series. The vector award jury was highly impressed by the unique technical solution used for the breathtaking light show. All photos courtesy of igus The movable nightclub ceiling consists of a fragmented mirror measuring 16x15 meters, which is divided into 32 triangular elements, 16 of which are movable. Each of these triangles has two mirror surfaces, one at the top and one at the bottom, with the edge consisting of an SRU LED strip. In combination with spotlights, a breathtaking light show with monumental shapes in motion is created above the heads of the guests. The design challenge was to set the triangles in motion and supply the LED strips with power. To solve this complex challenge, the engineering team involved chose to rely on three motorized winches, one at each corner of the triangles. For the power supply, the experts chose slip-ring-free spring cable drums from the igus e-spool series, which are fitted with hybrid cables and connected to the centers of gravity of the triangles. All photos courtesy of igus The stroke for the application is six meters. The speed is 0.5 meters per second. According to Mecaoctet, thanks to the igus solution they were able to avoid using complex coils with rotating collectors—which would have been very expensive and unreliable. Compared to a slider system with cable loops, the solution is also more fail-safe and aesthetically pleasing. The igus e-spool series are able to confine many different cables within a confined space and uniquely combines two different energy supply systems, puts no tensile load on the cables, can supply energy in all directions (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal), and is available for indoor and outdoor applications. Overall, the final design provided accuracy, reliability, and aesthetics. For more information, visit igus and Mecaoctet . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City includes 11 winding water slides, a 500-foot lazy river, and a state-of-the-art surf simulator. What It Takes to Automate a 120,000 Square Foot Water Park The Island Waterpark at Showboat Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City includes 11 winding water slides, a 500-foot lazy river, and a state-of-the-art surf simulator. Terry Persun Attractions Mar 23, 2026 Theme Parks Designed by leading aquatic design and engineering firm Martin Aquatic, The Island features a number of exciting and cutting-edge attractions, suitable for both kids and adults. Park highlights include 11 winding water slides, a 500-foot lazy river, and a state-of-the-art surf simulator. But just as the park’s guest amenities and attractions take advantage of new and impressive technology, so, too, do the mechanical rooms that support them. Located on opposite ends of the 120,000 square foot facility, the park’s two mechanical rooms house a vast array of pumps, regenerative filter systems, UV systems, water chemistry systems and more. To ensure all of these systems work in harmony with one another, each mechanical room features a SplashBotix Main Control Panel (MCP) aquatic system automation controller. The two MCPs integrate with each mechanical room’s vast array of equipment to maintain interlocks between pumps and water quality systems, regulate basin water levels, and continuously monitor field sensors and devices for fault and alarm conditions. The MCPs further support operators by offering real-time dashboards and event logs, delivering complete visibility into the waterpark’s operational health and performance from 10-inch touch screen HMIs. Outside the mechanical room, the two MCPs further support operations by controlling the interlock logic underpinning the park’s network of emergency stop buttons. Images courtesy of SplashBotix. Despite the facility’s sheer volume and diverse mix of attractions, The Island Waterpark was constructed in just eight months–record time for any waterpark, let alone one that size. The project met such an impressive development timeline due in large part to the ease with which contractors and park personnel were able to test and commission park attractions using the MCP’s VFD control interface—saving several man-days of commissioning. One such example is the park’s lazy river, which relies on the synchronization of up to10 feature pumps. Typically, contractors might spend hours pacing between the equipment room and the lazy river, incrementally raising the speed of each pump in order to achieve an ideal flow rate. “Given the number of VFDs being used on the [lazy river], it may have taken us a few days to go through all the parameters and make sure everything was set up correctly,” said The Island Waterpark’s Director of Maintenance Dan Jankovits. “Using the MCP, it took us just a few hours.” Jankovits also pointed out that using the MCP was much easier than having to navigate a conventional push-button VFD interface. “If you’ve ever had to change the parameters on a VFD,” said Jankovits, “you know they’ve got four sets of arrows and an “enter” button. And basically, you’re hitting the arrows to navigate across multiple screens to eventually get the VFD to a certain point. [With the MCP], it’s all a touch screen and everything is spelled out in plain English.” The MCP’s pump control interface helped reduce the commissioning time on the waterslides and other attractions as well. Given the facility’s size and breadth of equipment, daily walk-throughs conducted by facility operators would have been extremely time-consuming if it weren’t for the two MCP controllers, which provide a comprehensive, real-time view of each equipment room. Jankovits explains, “When I go into the pump rooms, the first thing I do is look at the screen. Then I might see, for example, that one of the [filtration] systems was in pre-coat for too long, I’ll check on that first to make sure it’s back to operating normally. It really helps prioritize what needs to be done during my walk-throughs and make the best use of my time.” Images courtesy of SplashBotix. One aspect of the MCP that has been critical for Jankovits is the controller’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) feature—a running log of key facility events, reflecting everything from administrative actions to device faults and alarms. Designed to help operators monitor for anomalies that may point to larger problems affecting their facility, the MCP’s SCADA revealed a pattern of irregular water fill valve behavior that drew Jankovits’ attention to a possible leak event one Summer. In another instance, the SCADA system drew Jankovits and his team’s attention to a potential issue with an emergency stop switch on one of the park’s water slides. The SCADA system empowered operators with the foresight to address problems before they escalated. According to Jankovits, it can often take years of industry experience to truly understand and become comfortable working with and maintaining certain kinds of equipment. “I’m used to the old school,” said Jankovits. “I grew up in this industry using high-rate sand filters. I could walk into a pump room and know what issues to look for if I didn’t hear the pump working, the motor working, or the water going through the valves.” The Island Waterpark, however, doesn’t use sand filters. It relies on regenerative media filters—a more recent filtration technology—to maintain water quality. Regenerative media filters use perlite-coated tubes to trap particles as they flow through the filter. Once the perlite becomes fully loaded, a vibration event known as a “bump” occurs, causing the trapped particles to fall to the bottom of the filter. Images courtesy of SplashBotix. “With the media filter, it’s nice to be able to see on the MCP screen that the systems are up and running. I’m not constantly having to check each individual one,” Jankovits said. He also appreciates how easy it is to customize the MCP to better align with the way he and his team operate and maintain the park. The two MCP controllers have contributed to making park operations efficient and straightforward. They have allowed him and his team to get routine work done quickly and painlessly. “Starting things up in the morning is easier, too. We’re not going back and pushing this VFD, and then waiting for it to turn on and then going and doing the same thing to the next one. You push one button and the attraction turns on,” he said. As Jankovits and his team continue to build upon the park’s tremendous success in bringing a family-friendly atmosphere to Atlantic City, the facility’s two MCPs have also played a key role in helping them maintain a safe environment. For more information: SplashBotix Main Control Panel Island Waterpark Martin Aquatic Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

EE co-founder Terry Persun spoke with Michael Cuaresma of Festo about how applications in entertainment find their way into other industries. WATCH: One-on-One with Michael Cuaresma of Festo EE co-founder Terry Persun spoke with Michael Cuaresma of Festo about how applications in entertainment find their way into other industries. EE Staff Videos Dec 9, 2025 Theme Parks In our most recent conversation with design engineers from various industries, we spent time with Michael Cuaresma, a Mechatronics Applications Engineer for Festo. We got to talk about how and when Michael got interested in becoming an engineer, about his education, and a particular application for the entertainment industry. Michael’s enthusiasm for design came through as the conversation delved deeper into application-specific details. He also mentioned how he started with Festo and the learning curve needed to work with a company with so many different products used in such a wide variety of industries. Watch the interview: For more information: Festo DPMT Product Other videos in our One-on-One series >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Automated guitar plays more than two dozen songs Pneumatic Guitar Mimics Motion of Human Hand Automated guitar plays more than two dozen songs EE Staff Cool Stuff Jun 4, 2025 When employees at Clippard Instrument Laboratory set out to make a new exhibit for their 2012 trade show schedule, they wanted something cool and unique that would draw attention to their pneumatic and automation products. Their answer is a pneumatic guitar that plays more than two dozen songs with over 36 notes running on 50-psi air pressure. Rob Clippard, the guitar’s primary designer and developer, recalls part of the challenge was making the guitar. “We had myself and a few other engineers working on it, sometimes pulling all nighters,” he says. Others working on the project include Chris Rhodes, Jerry Grotelueschen, Brett Vidal, Bill Clippard and Ed Ehrhardt. The main design challenge was trying to mimic the motion of the human hand. “If you asked 100 engineers how to do this, you might get 100 different ideas on how to build a pneumatic system,” says Clippard. He adds one of the hardest parts was the “fret,” or the control of what would be the left hand that holds down the strings along the guitar’s neck. “You have to come off the strings with a certain velocity to mute the string at the correct time while sliding your hand to position your fingers for the next set of notes,” he explains. “Engineering the movement, positioning, and force feedback systems for this application is hard to replicate in a more cost-effective solution as pneumatics.” There were marketing challenges with the exhibit too. “With this exhibit we are getting people to think about new applications with pneumatics,” explains Clippard. “We are also trying to show that Clippard does more than sell pneumatic components. Our engineers use creativity to design, development, assembly, test, among other functions to simplify the tasks for other companies in terms of effort.” The pneumatic guitar has 58 electronic valves and 62 miniature pneumatic cylinders from 5/32” diameters up to half-inch bore that help mimic the motion of the human hand “fretting” , “picking” and “strumming” the six guitar strings. A Wi-Fi card and iPad with a midi player app control of the pneumatic guitar. All other guitar parts are standard, off-the-shelf units, except the manifolds. Engineers at the company normally custom design their own manifolds in house with Solidworks CAD software. But with this job, they were able to use a vector-based drawing program for tracing the outline of the guitar to guide laser cutting of the manifold and valve subplates. For more information: Clippard Home Solidworks Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Along with comparative analysis tools, Trek Bicycle was able to fine-tune prototypes, investigate potential issues, and adjust their manufacturing process. How Industrial CT Scanning Allows Engineers to Examine Parts Non-Destructively Along with comparative analysis tools, Trek Bicycle was able to fine-tune prototypes, investigate potential issues, and adjust their manufacturing process. Edited by EE Staff Sports Feb 24, 2026 Trek Bicycle is on a mission to make the world a better place to live and ride. Despite humble beginnings in a Wisconsin barn, Trek has been on the cutting edge from day one. Starting with its visionary early entry into carbon fiber bike frames, Trek’s engineering teams continue to embrace new technologies that will benefit their riders. According to Chad Manuell, Global Director of Engineering, Trek, “Our goal is to make only products we love. To do that, we need to have access to the best tools. Over the years, our products have become more complicated, and the tools we use have gotten more sophisticated.” CT scanning had been on Trek’s wish list for a long time, but the complexity and cost of legacy systems kept this vital inspection tool out of reach. Easy to use and significantly less expensive than competitors, the Lumafield Neptune scanner and Voyager analysis software made it possible for Trek to add CT to its core engineering toolkit. “When we got the opportunity to bring a Neptune in-house, we jumped on it,” Manuell said. The Neptune scanner and Voyager analysis software have delivered actionable insights to help Trek create products that both they and their customers love. Examining parts non-destructively with industrial CT allows Trek to understand the implementation of their designs. Larry Lardieri, Product Design Engineer, notes that “The Neptune scanner has given us the ability to look at our prototypes even more closely. It helps us investigate potential issues like adhesion, porosity, and plastic part design shrinkage.” Using Voyager’s suite of comparative analysis tools, including CAD Comparisons, Trek can tune design and production parameters to adapt to a manufacturing process. By overlaying a CAD file on a scan of a finished physical product, Voyager computes deviation from the design and visualizes it using color maps. Images courtesy of Lumafield and Trek. Legacy CT systems process and store data locally, usually requiring a dedicated operator and hardware system. Interacting with this invaluable data has traditionally been restricted to technicians. Lumafield's cloud-based software, however, gives engineers direct access to their scan data, and lets them share it with colleagues. Lumafield’s Voyager analysis software allows Trek engineers to easily access and share scan data, collaborate on analysis workflows, and visualize both external and internal features — all within their own web browser. Anyone using Voyager can author bookmarks, leave comments, and collaborate on analysis in real-time using Voyager’s user-friendly interface. Trek engineers also use Voyager’s high-resolution images of both 2D slice planes and 3D volumetric reconstructions for internal presentations, enabling them to solicit feedback from across teams and chart the progress of product development. Advancing e-Bike Battery Technology The electronics of the future are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which must be carefully integrated into products. This is especially true of products that push the limits of size, weight, and ergonomics. Trek has emerged as an industry leader in electric bikes, and its engineers are constantly innovating on battery integration. For Trek’s eSystems team, CT scanning has emerged as a safe and effective way to inspect the details of these critical components. For batteries, destructive testing not only deprives engineers of insight but can also be dangerous. With industrial CT, Trek engineers gain deep insights into battery enclosure design, latching mechanisms, and overall performance. Voyager’s advanced dimensioning tools allow for automated measurements that can help elucidate the integrity and performance of lithium-ion batteries. Enhancing Safety by Quantifying Impact Rider safety is a top priority at Trek, and CT scanning provides important insights for both bike frame and helmet design by illuminating how they respond to impacts. With Neptune and Voyager, Trek engineers can comprehensively study the way impacts affect a wide variety of materials used in bike parts and helmets. Images courtesy of Lumafield and Trek. To understand which materials and frame designs are less susceptible to everyday impacts from rock strikes and collisions, Trek engineers intentionally impact sections of bike frames and then analyze them with Lumafield’s CT scanning platform. Voyager enables engineers “to be able to do some real exact measurements of the impact site after the first hit, second hit, third hit, which allows us much more information than was previously available,”Manuell said. Megan Bland-Rothgeb, a Helmet Research Engineer at Trek, is able to use CT to quantify helmet impacts. This allows Trek to analyze designs to create high-performance helmets. Lumafield’s Expanded Scan Volume feature broadens the field of view on the Neptune scanner, enabling the inspection of parts that are up to 80% larger than before. Many bike helmets fall into this range and can now be fully scanned at high resolution. Trek’s meticulous, data-driven approach to understanding bike frame and helmet impact dynamics fuels the development of longer-lasting and more reliable products. Trek harnesses the power of Lumafield’s Neptune CT scanner and Voyager analysis software to fortify their product development process. From non-destructive testing of bike frames and parts to advancing e-bike battery integration and enhancing safety through quantifying impact, Trek is poised to advance its mission of getting more people on bikes by guiding the next phase of cycling innovation. For more information: Lumafield CAD Comparison Expanded Scan Volume Trek Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

“We were pushing the limits of the robots.” SISU Cinema Robotics and reaching new heights with motion control robotics. How Motion Control Makes Tron: Ares a Powerful New Visual Experience “We were pushing the limits of the robots.” SISU Cinema Robotics and reaching new heights with motion control robotics. Joe Gillard Film and TV Aug 12, 2025 Tron: Ares is the third installment of Disney's Tron franchise. The film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, and other, as well as engineers, cinematographers, and others working behind the scenes to create the movie magic that’s possible in 2025. ALSO FROM EE: WATCH: One-on-One with Chris Porter of igus Tron has always made use of innovative special effects and this latest installment carries on that technological legacy. In an interview SISU Cinema Robotics, the company responsible for motion control robotics on the film, explained a little bit about the innovations in motion control used. Films make use of robotics and motion control to capture interesting or difficult shots, allowing the camera to jump or move around an object or person in quick or unusual patterns. Scary shots in Tron: Ares Cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and SISU's Mike Morgan explained how the safety-conscious SISU Cinema Robotics pulled off some harrowing shots, in an interview published on YouTube. “We had some shots in our film where we had Jared Leto laying on his back and a 12-inch probe lens half an inch from his eyeball and rotated the camera up and then pulled back away from him, and that is terrifying,” said Cronenweth. The motion control and robotics are a crucial part of how the shots were able to get the desired look. “We wanted to create, in this digital world, when they’re in the web, this very mechanical program perspective of things,” said Cronenweth. Watch the full interview below: And here is a trailer for TRON: Ares: Learn more about SISU Cinema Robotics Learn more about Tron: Ares . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next