MOCO Robot
Professional motion control system for precision camera movements in film production and stop-motion animation.
RTMC130 Motion Control System
Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for the RTMC130 Motion Control System, the technology behind our "MOCO Robot" platform. This documentation provides detailed information about system setup, operation, and programming to help you create precise, repeatable camera movements for film and animation production.
Professional Tool: The RTMC130 is a professional-grade motion control system used in film production, stop-motion animation, and specialized photography. It offers frame-accurate movement control essential for high-end productions.
About the RTMC130 System
The RTMC130 is a sophisticated motion control software that runs on MS-DOS computers equipped with specialized RTMC48 (or RTMC16) ISA cards. The system provides precise, programmable control over multiple motor axes to create complex, repeatable camera movements for film and animation production.
Key Features
- Multi-axis motion control with up to 48 axes on RTMC48 systems
- Frame-accurate positioning for stop-motion animation
- Keyframe animation with advanced curve editing
- Real-time joystick recording for organic camera movements
- Go-motion capabilities for natural motion blur in stop-motion
- Virtual axis control for intuitive camera operation
- Customizable motor patching for flexible hardware configurations
- Integrated camera trigger control for precise timing
Common Applications
- Stop-motion animation with precise incremental movements
- Live-action film production requiring repeatable camera moves
- Special effects photography with synchronized camera movement
- Time-lapse cinematography with smooth, controlled motion
- Technical product photography requiring consistent positioning
- Visual effects plates with precise camera data
System Components
The RTMC130 Motion Control System consists of several key hardware and software components:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| MS-DOS Computer | Hosts the RTMC130 software and RTMC48/16 ISA card |
| RTMC48/16 ISA Card | Hardware interface that generates step/direction signals for motor control |
| RTMC130 Software | DOS-based application for programming and controlling the motion system |
| Jogbox Controller | Handheld control unit with LCD display, buttons, and joystick for manual control |
| Motor Drivers | External units that power stepper motors based on RTMC card signals |
| DB37 Cable | Connects the RTMC card to motor drivers |
| Stepper Motors | Various motors controlling pan, tilt, track, lift, focus, zoom, etc. |
Our Configuration
Our specific MOCO Robot implementation uses the following configuration:
RTMC Motion Control System
├── Hardware Components
│ ├── MS-DOS Compatible Laptop
│ ├── RTMC48 ISA Card
│ ├── Jogbox Controller
│ ├── Motor Driver Units
│ └── Stepper Motors (Setup positions)
│ ├── 1: Track (Forward/Backward)
│ ├── 2: Lift (Vertical Movement)
│ ├── 4: East/West (Left/Right)
│ ├── 5: Pan (Horizontal Rotation)
│ ├── 6: Tilt (Vertical Rotation)
│ ├── 7: M_ROT (Roll Rotation)
│ ├── 8: M_TRM (Additional Axis)
│ ├── 9: Focus
│ └── 10: Zoom
│
└── Software Components
├── MS-DOS Operating System
├── RTMC130.EXE (Main Application)
├── Supporting Library Files
└── Configuration Files
├── DEFAULT.SET (Default Hardware Settings)
├── *.MOV (Saved Movement Files)
└── *.TMP (Temporary Backup Files)Note: Our system uses a specific motor numbering scheme with position 3 skipped for technical reasons. Always refer to this mapping when configuring or troubleshooting the system.