Subscriber Discussion

Need Help Stabilizing A Camera

WH
Whitey Helberg
Mar 05, 2013

John we have an application in a manufacturing facility that runs huge presses. Are you aware of any camera manufactures that specialize in this environment. We need a mount to help stabilize the camera any ideas.

Bud - Spiritech

JH
John Honovich
Mar 05, 2013
IPVM

I am not sure about a mount that stabilizes but typically we hear people talking about using video based stabilization. However, that's not commonly available and professional ones that work with surveillance cameras tend to cost a lot of money (add on boxes costing thousands). To the contrary, Panasonic has some built in video stabilization but it does not seem to work terribly well and it reduces resolution at the edges.

This all being said, let's see who else has suggestions. I am sure others will have better ideas than me.

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Mar 06, 2013
IPVMU Certified

There are gyroscopic mounts for low-frequency vibrations (like ocean waves), but I'm not sure of a high-frequency vibration like machines would create.

Do you have any sense of how rapid the vibrations peaks occur? 4 times per minute? 60 times per minute? etc...

Are they even, repeatable patternss, or random jerks?

WH
Whitey Helberg
Mar 06, 2013

Thanks Brian, they are repeatable patterns aprox. every 15 seconds while the press in running.

Avatar
Brian Rhodes
Mar 06, 2013
IPVMU Certified

I've asked Watson-Gyro to weigh in on this question. (ie: mitigate vibrations @ 2g rms between 100 Hz -1 kHz)

I'd guess your vibration is a small fraction of a 'g', so I really do not know if it is a good application for a gyro mount, but I'll post their response when it comes in. They may have follow up questions or other recommendations.

In the meantime, can you explain how the camera is currently mounted? Is it mounted to a column or joist? What type of bracket/mounting arm is currently being used?

MI
Matt Ion
Mar 07, 2013

Well, one thing that comes to mind is an image-stabilized lens. Unfortunately, I don't know of any CCTV-specific lenses that will do this, just SLR lenses... which means you could use a Canon IS lens on an Avigilon Pro camera. Sounds like this type of IS is what you're after, as it's designed to counter the shake of hand-holding a DSLR.

That's probably overkill, though.

SA
Syd Anthony
Mar 08, 2013

There are not many manufacturers I know of that make an anti-vibration mount. Pelco makes two for the Spectra series domes. Unfortunately there are no spec sheets on this available on their website - these are part of their specials products series, however one of their reps will have access to the data sheets.They are the SP01-002 for the standard and environmental series while the SP01-003 is for the heavy duty, stainless steel, Horizon and pressurised models. These units are for the pendant mount series only and fit between the dome and the mounting bracket.

Other than this you could get an adaptor made up with two mounting plates and multiple wire rope mounts http://www.antivibrationmethods.com/category/wire-rope-mounts sandwiched in between. I have seen a friends S.I. company use this for a mining application on a metal micky. See this youtube video at 1.22.

All of these physical measures help and stops the camera/enclosure falling apart but if the frequency is around 10hz or more you may need to look at image stabilisation...available feature in some cameras (spectras have this - switched off by default).

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