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How this automated bowling system — created for testing bowling balls, lanes, and related equipment — was engineered. EARL the Bowling Robot Can Reproduce Virtually Any Throw How this automated bowling system — created for testing bowling balls, lanes, and related equipment — was engineered. Edited by EE Staff Sports Nov 17, 2025 Games When the U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC), the national governing body for bowling, approached ARM Automation with a request to develop an automated bowling system capable of reproducing virtually any type of throwing style to a high degree of accuracy, the company’s creative wheels started turning. In their quest to build the ultimate testing platform for balls, lanes, and related equipment, the USBC had approached several different machine builders and had evaluated using many off-the-shelf robotic systems to no avail. What had to be done is for the ARM Automation team to break down the many different challenges presented and come up with a solution that met all of the performance criteria—within a strict budget. The team had to consider multiple elements in a bowling test, including different ball masses, ball grip orientations, spin, velocity, release point, and throw vector parameters. Any single bowl requires specification and execution of up to over a dozen variables all interacting at once. The Enhanced Automated Robot Launcher (EARL) is essentially a purpose-built seven-degree-of-freedom robot and tightly calibrated control system that allows for precision motion (± 2mm) and split second (± 1ms) timing accuracy. That’s what was ultimately required of the system to provide throwing a bowling ball at speeds up to 25 miles per hour time after time for test after test. All images courtesy of ARM Automation. Some of the key attributes of EARL include high robot tip speeds, high precision motion, fast spin speeds of unbalanced balls, and a simple touch-panel setup with flexible programmability. EARL is built for portability and rigidity. It’s mounted on air bearings, which double as vacuum chucks to secure the frame while throwing the ball. One of the key challenges of the project was the development of a suitable combination ball gripper/spindle/release mechanism. Each ball must be captured in a user-defined grip orientation (gripper spin axis relative to the ball’s rotationally non-homogenous coordinate frame) and clamped with significant pressure despite small variances in allowable ball size. To achieve required ball spin speeds of up to 900 rpm, a spindle motor system was incorporated into the scissor like gripper apparatus. Finally, in order to achieve precise release points while traveling at maximum arm speed, the gripper mechanism needed to open in a manner that imparted no adverse motion to the ball’s instantaneous trajectory and needed to do so in a very tight window of time, ±1 millisecond. This free-release grip solution required that the clamp forces on the ball be almost instantaneously reversed. To achieve this function, the ARM team of designers created a reversible scissor mechanism which once set closed was held in place by a multi-stage hair trigger release. Once set, the clamping cylinder loading was reversed, which attempted to open the mechanism. This allowed a fast-acting solenoid—combined with an accurate look-ahead control scheme—to release the spindle jaws at precisely the right moment and see that they swung wide and clear of the departing ball. EARL’s capabilities were so repeatable that it limited its own ability to bowl a perfect game. During an initial competition against a top professional bowler, EARL’s programmed perfect throw rubbed a dry streak on the oiled lane, which resulted in a progressively decreasing score. Tom Frenzel, USBC Senior Director of Equipment Specifications said, “Something I say about E.A.R.L. when I showcase him is: Due to the range of release variables E.A.R.L. can be adjusted with, it gives us a bowler for our research that can emulate any bowling style from the standard league bowler hobbyist all the way up to the top-level professionals by just pushing a few buttons. That allows us to study how our equipment specifications affect all levels of the sport.” Bonus video of EARL playing against Chris Barnes, 2007–2008 PBA Bowler of the Year: For more information, visit ARM Automation . Read more articles about creative technology in sports >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering 1/2 Electronics Articles focusing on Broadcasting Equipment, Communications Equipment, Control Panels, Controller Cards, PC Boards, Hybrid Circuits, Data Systems, Instrumentation, Microcontrollers, Microphones, Power Conversion, Sound Systems, Speakers & Speaker Systems, and more. Shooting the Vertical Musical 'Playback' for Mobile Viewing Director Scott Brown required high quality results from his camera as well as post-production tools including editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio. Read More 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. Read More How a Microgreen Farm Saves Time with Automated Systems This farm grows and distributes microgreenery to local restaurants every seven to twenty-one days, requiring equipment that needs minimal labor. Read More The First Vertical Launch Spaceport in Europe Gets Cloud-Based Comm System The SaxaVord Spaceport recently received a high-tech cloud-based voice communications system for their ground control center. Read More How Technology Transformed the Washington Monument into an Immersive Storytelling Platform Through a complex array of projection mapping, "America's Tallest Birthday Candle" illuminated the night sky with hourly historical events celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. Read More Upgrading a Small Town Theatre's Rotating Stage After running for decades on its original electro-hydraulic drive, Timber Lake Playhouse’s revolving stage system received significant behind-the-scenes upgrades in recent years. Read More The Autonomous Choreography Behind Docking Orion In NASA’s Artemis campaign, Orion is the only spacecraft capable of taking humans from Earth to lunar orbit. Docking is a dance between precision and timing. Read More Climb Aboard the World's Tallest Ferris Wheel How engineers made the loading conveyor for Ain Dubai — the world's biggest observation wheel — faster, safer, and more efficient. Read More How Iceland's Renowned Theatre Seamlessly Upgraded Its Intercom System Reykjavik City Theatre recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade — with minimal disruption — to deliver flexibility within a unified production network infrastructure. Read More Noise Pollution is a Big Threat to Blue Whales — Here’s How Scientists Are Listening In A deep dive into the hydrophone arrays and specific equipment used by scientists at Project Blue Whale at the University of Iceland. Read More Subscribe to EE Mag! Interview with Legacy New Tech for Yachts Subscribe to EE Mag! 1/3 Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering Subscribe to Entertainment Engineering 1/2

The Axceleron LED lighting fixtures bring unprecedented flexibility to theater, museum, convention center, and industrial/commercial settings. Axceleron LED Lighting Fixtures The Axceleron LED lighting fixtures bring unprecedented flexibility to theater, museum, convention center, and industrial/commercial settings. Terry Persun Stage Events Jun 16, 2025 Aquarii, Inc. offers customized LED lighting solutions as showcased in their Axceleron, broad application LED down light fixture. Axceleron is a tested and recognized ETL, DLC, LM79, and LM80 down light designed for facilities that need an energy efficient fixture for high performance or round-the-clock lighting. Four wattages are available up to 150W. At 150W, Axceleron delivers up to 15,000 lumens, with color rendering indexes (CRI) of up to 90. By mating a state of the art LED printed circuit board and heat sink, the unit manages thermal loads without the need for fans, making it the ideal light for environments that require quiet operation. Customers can select one of four different color temperatures—from 3,000 to 5,000 degrees Kelvin. The units can be mounted in pendant, flush mount, C-clamp, yoke or recess configurations, making it easy for them to fit into any new or existing building. Six different lens configurations include 14, 18, 28, 36, 70 or 110 degrees, allowing facilities to select the angle that suits their specific application. Photo: Aquarii LED light. By using an 8-bit to 16-bit processor that is RDM ready, the Axceleron emulates the smooth dimming curves of incandescent without any visible dimming steps while using only one channel for control. Users have the option of on/off operation, 0 to 10V dimming, or operation of their Axceleron fixtures using DMX—but with fewer addresses to manage per unit. While off-white and black are standard offerings for the outer housing, essentially any color, pattern, image, or logo can be provided to match the color palette or theme of the facility. Axceleron provides outstanding durability, is designed for maximum service life, and requires virtually no maintenance. Eliminating bulb changes and the hazards of servicing fixtures in difficult locations can greatly increase the savings beyond those found with its energy efficiency. Adding to the savings, Axceleron comes with a 10-year warranty. For more information: Aquarii Inc Home Aquarii LED Products Aquarii LED Controls Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Systems Interface helps a major South Korean University explore the depths of space by designing precise motion control for a 21-meter telescope. Demystifying the Universe with Precise Motion Control Systems Interface helps a major South Korean University explore the depths of space by designing precise motion control for a 21-meter telescope. Curtis Plett, VP of Engineering, Systems Interface Cool Stuff Jan 13, 2026 Lead photo: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope took a look at the Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Adam Ginsburg (University of Florida), Nazar Budaiev (University of Florida), Taehwa Yoo (University of Florida); Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI) How often do you think about black holes? Stars? The mysteries of deep space? If you’re a researcher at a major research University in South Korea, it’s a lot. Researching celestial bodies requires high-performing instruments. When the university needed to construct their deep space antenna system they chose to work with Systems Interface. The company is a Gold-level System Integrator member of the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™. Following the success of three previous installations, the project involved the construction of a fourth deep space antenna that could help researchers further explore space. Artist concept of satellite in orbit above the earth. Credit: NASA. This project was unique from the start. The university wanted the fourth antenna to perform as well as the first three. Given that the previous antennas were commissioned years ago, Systems Interface had to match the previous systems, but still use updated technologies, such as current servo drives, while keeping the overriding motion control interface the same. An OEM might refuse to deviate from their standard offering whereas a systems integrator like Systems Interface can bring tremendous value by being able to develop a custom solution. The existing deep space antennas utilized outdated Kinetix 7000 drives and legacy servo motion technology, both of which were becoming obsolete. Precise Control Operating at very slow velocities, the antenna required precise tracking of celestial targets such as stars and black holes. This meant that a motion control system had to be developed that was capable of tracking these targets accurately while maintaining responsiveness to slow signals from outer space. According to Curits Plett, VP of Engineering at Systems Interface, “It wasn’t just simple motion control. It was motion control to a highly calculated and precise position. A higher-level motion control system takes 29-bit encoders off the structure and closes position loops based on those encoders. Then it has to perform celestial calculations of where it thinks an object in the sky should be, pointing the antenna at the object, using the frequency of the antenna to fine tune the position, and then tracking it across the sky overnight.” Systems Interface leveraged a combination of cutting-edge hardware, their own domain expertise, and the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork. The solution included state-of-the-art technology, featuring the ControlLogix® 5580 controller and Kinetix® 5700 Servo Drive control system, which orchestrated precise movements with its four Kinetix MPL low-inertia motors. The solution also used the Allen Bradley® PanelView™ operator interface to enable visualization and control, as well as various Rockwell Automation components. In total, the antenna was built with a single manufacturer solution that enables optimal performance and support rather than a control system cobbled together from many manufacturers. The Kinetix MPL Low-inertia Servo Motor is a high-output brushless motor providing high torque with a reduced footprint. Procurement, tech support, and supply chain issues The successful completion of the deep space antenna would not have been possible without the rich ecosystem of the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork. Strategic partnerships with distributors like North Coast and Rockwell Automation technology consultants expedited the selection and procurement of essential bill of materials components and accelerated on site tech support. Additionally, the profound domain expertise of the Systems Interface team enabled them to devise innovative solutions, such as working with technology partner Profibus to transition from ControlNet to Profibus communication for enhanced reliability and supportability. The construction of the 21-meter antenna was successfully concluded, bolstered by Rockwell Automation technology, including four servo motors capable of reaching an impressive maximum speed of 3 degrees per second. This milestone allowed the antenna to capture its inaugural astrological images, commonly referred to as “First Light.” With the completion of this project, the University achieved its critical objective of deploying a fully operational antenna within their specified timeline. The antenna's performance not only met but exceeded expectations, showcasing seamless functionality without requiring any additional support during startup. For more information: Systems Interface Inc. Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5580 Controllers Kinetix MPL Low-inertia Servo Motors PanelView HMI General images of satellites and space courtesy of NASA. Kinetix MPL image courtesy of Rockwell Automation. More about space >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Acoustic echosounder simultaneously collects bathymetric, seafloor backscatter, and water column backscatter data to identify seafloor and water column features. Mapping the Seafloor for Underwater Explorations Acoustic echosounder simultaneously collects bathymetric, seafloor backscatter, and water column backscatter data to identify seafloor and water column features. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Sep 9, 2025 Header image caption: High-resolution seafloor mapping revealed unusual pancake-like features of a seamount in the Moonless Mountains chain in the Eastern Pacific. To plan efficient and safe operations, Nautilus (sea exploration ship) often creates its own seafloor maps—particularly when exploring little-known regions of the ocean. To facilitate this operation, the ship incorporates various equipment that provides high-quality seafloor maps at depths to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet). Whether focused on a canyon, seamount, or shipwreck, creating a map allows the crew to identify potential targets, cutting down exploration time and boosting mission efficiency. Before ROVs are deployed, the team must first map the area to understand the characteristics of the region and identify potential benthic habitats, seeps, and other environments and resources worthy of exploration. In addition to informing dive objectives, Nautilus transit routes cover unmapped areas of the ocean and contribute to the Seabed 2030 initiative, an international collaborative project to combine all bathymetric data in order to create a comprehensive map of the ocean floor. Nautilus. All images courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust. Multibeam Echosounder Mounted on the hull of the vessel is a Kongsberg EM302 multibeam echosounder capable of accurately producing state-of-the-art maps covering large areas of the seafloor. The echosounder maps the seafloor at depths between 50 and 7,000 meters (300 to 23,000 feet) while cruising at ship speeds up to 12 knots (14 mph). The transmit array emits acoustic pulses that ensonify the seafloor with a wide fan-shaped swath of sound, while a second transducer receives the return signal echoes. Each pulse sends many beams of sound in a fan shape toward the seafloor. When these pulses strike the seafloor and return to the transducer/receiver combination mounted on the hull of the ship, the system computes a “sounding” associated with each returning pulse via the time it took to travel down and up through the water column. Because the ship is moving between the transmit and receive functions, a motion sensor connected to the system allows the echosounder to “steer” the sound pulses to correct for the ship’s rolling and swaying motions. This allows the ship to collect an even distribution of data from the seafloor. Received soundings are combined with the ship’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information, to produce a grid or “digital elevation model” of ocean bathymetry—essentially a topographic map of the seafloor. Images such as those from Google Earth and other satellites offer very little modern depth observations and only provide general highs and lows of deep-sea topography. A depiction of the seafloor using satellite data (left) and after a Nautilus pass (right) with multibeam sonar data processed in QPS Qimera. All images courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust. The multibeam echosounder acoustically “sees” different scales and resolutions at different depths. When Nautilus is mapping, the multibeam sonar fan covers a different width (scale) on the seafloor depending on the depth, however the number of measurements across the swath of the fan remains the same. In shallow water, the soundings are closer together delivering many details of the seafloor in a small area (higher resolution data). In deeper water, fewer details are available (lower resolution) but the multibeam fan of soundings covers a much wider area. In addition to the depth, the signal strength that the sonar receives back from the seafloor (“backscatter”) will be different depending on the type of seafloor that reflects the ping. By making corrections to this signal to account for the changes as it went through the seawater from the ship and back, the processing can extract information to indicate variations in the seafloor type. Reflections from rocky seafloor will generally provide a stronger signal than a muddy area. Backscatter measurements are then combined in another grid called a backscatter mosaic, which can be combined with the bathymetry grid to provide a better understanding of the shape and seafloor type. The multibeam echosounder can also detect phenomena in the water column, such as plumes of bubbles emanating from the seafloor that indicate gas seeps. To date, the Nautilus has documented thousands of methane seeps along the Cascadia Margin off the Oregon and Washington coast. Sound waves reflect strongly off gas bubbles emanating from the seafloor. All images courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust. Exploring Sub-surface Faults Revealing structures below the seabed is just as important as discovering the seascape and habitats above. To complement the multibeam mapping work, the team uses a Knudsen 3260 sub-bottom profiler and echosounder. Mounted inside the hull of Nautilus , the echosounder operates at low frequencies to penetrate and reflect off of the layers of sediment, revealing a cross-section of the seafloor structure. The dual-frequency profiler operates at 3.5Khz or 15Khz (two discrete channels with separate transducers) and is capable of full ocean depth soundings. An acoustic pulse is directed through the water column to the seafloor and then captured by the system as it bounces back from each layer. Scientists use this data to identify subsurface geological structures such as faults, ancient channels, and buried levees. In early 2023, Ocean Exploration Trust installed a Kongsberg Simrad EC150-3C 150 kHz transducer on E/V Nautilus . Mounted within the ship's hull, the EC150-3C is the first of its kind to combine an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and an EK80 split-beam fisheries sonar into one instrument. The ADCP, which measures the speed and direction of currents at various depths underneath the ship supports safe remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) operations and provides data for improving oceanographic current models. The integrated split-beam echosounder maps and characterize features found within the water column, such as biology, scattering layers, and potentially bubble plumes. The EC150 will equip E/V Nautilus with the capability to better serve as an operations hub for multi-vehicle operations, increase OET’s capacity to explore and map the water column, and to collaborate with partners from the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute to advance combined robotics and new technologies to increase and advance the pace of ocean exploration. For more information: Ocean Exploration Trust & Nautilus Live Kongsberg Simrad EC150-C Seabed 2030 Qimera Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

An interview with Entertainment Engineering co-founder Terry Persun about the magazine's relaunch WATCH: Why Now is the Best Time for Entertainment Engineering's Relaunch An interview with Entertainment Engineering co-founder Terry Persun about the magazine's relaunch Videos Aug 7, 2025 Cool Stuff Terry Persun and Joe Gillard discuss Entertainment Engineering Magazine's digital relaunch and why engineers should care. Entertainment Engineering focuses on the engineering behind entertainment, including films TV, sports, stage, and more. Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The Shanghai Expo Cultural Park has unveiled a nighttime experience with an ingenious immersive design that blends natural flora with enchanting light artistry. Immersive Night Tour Blends Nature with Imaginative Light and Projection Technology The Shanghai Expo Cultural Park has unveiled a nighttime experience with an ingenious immersive design that blends natural flora with enchanting light artistry. Edited by EE Staff Attractions May 7, 2026 Theme Parks Located in the heart of the Shanghai Expo Cultural Park, the Shanghai Greenhouse Garden features three themed pavilions—Coastal Sandbar, Cloud Forest, and Mist Canyon—each showcasing rare global flora and breathtaking natural landscapes. The Greenhouse Garden is Asia’s largest glass conservatory, known as the “City of Wild Plants.” Its latest night tour projection not only showcases the Garden’s natural wonders but also highlights exceptional projection capabilities designed and installed by Barco. The project seamlessly integrates projection systems with landscaping and creative content to produce a visual spectacle. Images courtesy of Barco. The highly irregular projection surfaces, featuring curved glass walls, trees, cacti, and rocky formations presented some very unique challenges for the team. This demanded extraordinary precision in color calibration and image alignment. Civil engineering, decoration, greenery, and multimedia projector setup were conducted simultaneously, increasing coordination difficulty and potential obstructions to the light path. In addition, projector placement required meticulous pre-visualization to avoid plant coverage, heat exposure, and to ensure stable mounting in all locations. Images courtesy of Barco. A total of forty-nine Barco G-series projectors brought the immersive storytelling to life across all three pavilions. The Coastal Sandbar Pavilion offers a captivating introduction to the immersive experience. “The Journey Begins” uses two G60-W7 projectors to immediately draw visitors into the story with meticulously designed visuals. As guests continue, “The Water Ritual” comes to life through four G62-W11 projectors, animating two massive baobab trees, the ground, and surrounding stone platforms with lively, playful imagery. The journey progresses into “The Pillar Jungle,” where two G62-W14 projectors cast dynamic lighting patterns onto three giant cacti, creating an interactive sound and light experience that responds to visitors as they pass by. The experience culminates with “The Starry Party,” which integrates sixteen G60-W7 projectors to create a fully immersive environment. This is where visitors can trigger interactive effects, such as flocks of butterflies and wings of light that gather at their touch—making the environment both magical and participatory. Images courtesy of Barco. In the Cloud Forest Pavilion, “Beauty in Harmony” employs five G100-W22 projectors to display vibrant scenes of rainforest life. These units provide 22,000 lumens of light using a single-chip laser phosphor projector with up-to-date input capabilities and future-proof design with full operational flexibility through a wide lens range. The projections feature lush flowers, hummingbirds, and lizards on uneven landscape surfaces, seamlessly intertwined with animations of robots and alien flora encountering a gorilla. The blend of natural and fantastical elements creates a rich, layered visual narrative. Additionally, “Passing Warmth” applies two G60-W7 projectors to illuminate an L-shaped fallen tree installation, illustrating the natural process of trees nurturing fungi as they grow into mushrooms. The Misty Canyon Pavilion immerses visitors in a world of vibrant flora and fauna. “Flower Road Drift” uses nine G60-W7 projectors to light up a vivid petal pathway where lizards, frogs, and other small creatures appear and disappear beneath the blossoms. The projections blend seamlessly with surrounding floral pillars and scenic decoration, enveloping visitors in a dazzling ocean of blooms. “Floral Waterfall Drift” combines the power one G62-W11 and one G62-W14 projector to project a 10-meter-tall cascading image over a rock-face waterfall, merging the motion of real water with a mesmerizing stream of light. Finally, “Blooming Rebirth” features seven G100-W22 projectors forming a circular immersive space that revisits the adventurous journey of robots and alien plants through cinematic visuals, providing a memorable conclusion to the pavilion’s narrative. This project showcases the unique charm of the Shanghai Greenhouse Garden while highlighting Barco’s exceptional projection capabilities in complex environments. In all, the project uses a total of 49 projectors to provide vivid color accuracy and rich detail to create an immersive 4K visual space. Low-noise operation ensures a serene and uninterrupted experience for the audience. Beyond delivering high-performance equipment, Barco provided flexible engineering expertise and tailored solutions, creating an experience that exceeded client expectations, enhanced the city’s cultural identity, and redefined the standards of nighttime cultural tourism. For more information: Barco G100-W22 Shanghai Expo Cultural Park Read more about theme parks and attractions >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Although 18,000 festival goers are listening to live music for several days, neighbors needed the noise limited so that they could go on with their normal lives. Dampening Festival Noise to Create Positive Experience for Attendees and Neighbors Although 18,000 festival goers are listening to live music for several days, neighbors needed the noise limited so that they could go on with their normal lives. Edited by Terry Persun Stage Events Oct 17, 2025 Once a year deep in the heart of a Lincolnshire wood, with its winding pathways, derelict buildings, abandoned cars, deserted junkyards, old relics, and fairy lights, 18,000 revellers gather to immerse themselves in four days of live music, arts, performance, food, culture, wellness, and relaxation. Welcome to the Lost Village where music and festivities continue until 2:00 am. At one of the Lost Village events the sponsors—with the help of Three Spires Acoustics—needed to find a new approach in dealing with the night-time music noise limits to provide the festies with a good night out and the local community with a good night’s sleep. The woods are abandoned most of the year, but for four days in summer, a secluded woodland near the village of Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, comes to life when partygoers, DJs, artists, and the beat of dance music pervade the bucolic environment throughout the day and into the night. However, at 11.00 pm sharp, regulatory night-time noise level limits, imposed by the local authority, come into force and the volume is turned down. Imagine the disappointment and the dissatisfaction for both music fans and artists alike where a worst-case scenario could result in crowd management issues. The Right Balance For festivals such as Lost Village noise limits pose the challenge of keeping the right balance between the optimal concert sound and reduced noise in the surrounding environment. Keeping noise levels below prescribed limits is also essential to maintain a Premises Licence (permit to operate) and gaining local community buy-in. To get the balance right, Lost Village founder Andy George has been working closely with Three Spires Acoustics, an independent and leading consultancy involved with event noise management and regulatory control. Specializing in services and solutions for a diverse client base, they assess, resolve, and manage noise and pollution issues for, among others, entertainment venues and outdoor concerts. One of the main causes of discontent has always been the hard level reduction at 11:00 pm, which can result in a significant decrease of allowable offsite noise levels of up to 20 dB. They needed to find a way of overcoming this issue, while remaining compliant with regulatory requirements. An Innovative Approach Lost Village and Three Spires Acoustics came up with a simple but innovative approach—to apply a staggered reduction in sound levels between 11:00 pm and midnight. The solution was only made possible thanks to the flexibility and support of the local authority, North Kesteven District Council, and the use of technological advances in hardware including B&K 2245 sound level meters with Enviro Noise Partner (a complete, focused toolset for environmental noise measurements), combined with Noisy’s noise monitoring platform, integrated for use with B&K 2245 via the sound level meter’s open application interface (API). Once installed, the fully integrated Noisy platform allowed all stages to be monitored at front of house (FOH) or side of house (SOH) positions and provided a central control point displaying all onsite stage sound levels (LAeq and LCeq), along with three permanent offsite monitoring stations (connected via 4G router). Real-time monitoring enabled the engineers to follow, prevent, and correct the acoustic impact of internal sound and external noise levels and manage the staggered level reduction while remaining compliant with condition requirements. Reducing the sound levels gradually at each of the seven main stages discreetly acclimatized the audience to the lower limits over a period of one hour, making the shift/change in volume less dramatic than the step change of previous years. One of the main advantages of the Noisy platform is that it can accommodate SOH or back of house (BOH) mixer desk locations, by locating B&K 2245 sound level meters remotely at the back of a big top stage and Noisy tablet displays at SOH or BOH positions, both connected over a managed network. Traditionally, this was not possible without hard connection using long lengths of XLR cable. Power over Internet (POE) for both sound level meter and Noisy tablet displays also makes the system much more robust. The ability to schedule different parameters by stage and time and make on the spot changes reacting to off-site readings was invaluable. Satisfied audience and artists, full regulatory compliance, and very few noise complaints made the new approach a huge success. Although the Lost Village is located in a dense wood, high technology, flexibility, innovation, and reliable and efficient digital tools were crucial to the success of the event. Photos: Copyright © Lost Village. Thank you to Chris Hurst at Three Spires Acoustics for his help with this article. For more information: Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer Lost Village Three Spires Acoustics Noisy Software B&K 2245 Sound Level Meters Read more about concert technology >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Director Scott Brown required high quality results from his camera as well as post-production tools including editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio. Shooting the Vertical Musical 'Playback' for Mobile Viewing Director Scott Brown required high quality results from his camera as well as post-production tools including editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio. Edited by Terry Persun Film and TV Jul 28, 2026 Produced by Director Scott Brown’s indie company Second Rodeo for HOLYWATER TECH’s My Drama platform, “Playback” is a seventeen song original musical following Maddie Bryce (Amber Laird), a struggling songwriter whose rising success is tied to a secret she can’t afford to reveal. As AI reshapes the music industry, Maddie is pulled into a double life that forces her to confront identity and authenticity. The series also stars comedian and internet personality Hannah Stocking and America’s Next Top Model winner Sophie Sumner, alongside Royce Lundquist and Sarah Sampino. Images courtesy of Blackmagic. The series was shot using the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K digital film camera, with DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX), and audio post production software powering the full post production workflow. With “Playback,” the goal was to create something unique. The PYXIS 6K became a workhorse, particularly during pickup shoots. Brown explains: “Having a full open gate sensor as well as the incredible dynamic range of Blackmagic RAW really allowed us to capture a wide variety of images from a wide variety of environments, and have not only the exposure latitude, but the color space to make sure that all of our shots matched.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic. Brown shot open gate throughout, a deliberate choice that paid dividends in the vertical edit. “Not only does that give you the advantage of potentially having other distribution options later, it really opens up a whole host of options when you’re doing the vertical edit,” he said. The production also carried a relatively high volume of visual effects for a vertical microdrama, and that sensor flexibility helped keep options open across 12 reels of finishing work. Powerful Post Production Tools Post production for the show ran entirely within DaVinci Resolve Studio. “I really had the lightbulb moment of seeing just what a powerful tool this was,” he said. “I’ve been using other editing programs for over a decade, but with Resolve, especially with its most recent updates, it really has turned me into a huge fan of the program.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic. Editor Jim Berkenkamp, who came onto the project during the second half of the editing phase, explained, “Resolve made it easy to move quickly between editorial, audio, and finishing workflows while keeping everything centralized. That flexibility became really valuable as the project evolved.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic. For Brown, the ability to move between the edit page and the color page without a round trip was a particular advantage on a project with complex sequences. “You can get into your color workflow, realize that you want to change a couple of shots, and just jump right on over to the edit page, tweak those shots, and boom, you’re right back in the color page continuing where you left off.” With multiple machines across the office, both Brown and Berkenkamp relied on the Blackmagic Cloud Pod network storage solution to keep media and project files moving efficiently between workstations. “It helped streamline collaboration and allowed us to keep media and project updates moving efficiently between different workstations, especially while handling pickups, ADR, graphics, and online revisions simultaneously,” Berkenkamp said. For Brown, the decision to build the company’s workflow around Blackmagic Design tools was straightforward. “When you utilize those programs and stay within Blackmagic’s ecosystem, the incredible connectivity between different machines really becomes a no brainer.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic. “Playback” is available on the My Drama app. For information: Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K Camera DaVinci Resolve Studio Read more about Film & TV >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Honey Extractors for Beekeeping Hobbyists EE Staff Mini Story Nov 17, 2025 Honey extractors spin honeycomb at varying speeds to enable effective and efficient extraction of honey. Trusted by honey producers worldwide, Parvalux provides geared motors that are reliable and durable specifically for professional and home-made honey extractors. Beekeeping is a centuries-old process that removes honey from the wax honeycomb created by the bees. Traditionally, beekeepers extract honey from the wax comb by scraping it away. This laborious method often destroyed the combs. This slowed production because the bees would have to rebuild the honeycombs. Spinning the combs improves production because centrifugal force releases the honey more efficiently. Honeycombs are fragile, which is why honey extractors use special frames to protect the combs from damage, making them immediately reusable. The Parvalux motors spin up very quickly, making them ideal for use in motorized honey extractors. Photo with kind permission of Maxant Industries . Get more information about Parvalux's honey extractors here . 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

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