Balancing The Head; Setting The Fore / Aft Balance - Vinten FH155 Manual User Manual

Installation

Balancing the Head

The FH head range is designed to allow the camera and payload
to swing about its own Centre of Gravity (C of G), as opposed to
balancing with the use of springs or cams. The camera and payload
are mounted onto the camera cradle so the resulting C of G aligns
with the tilt-axis pivot point, providing true balance.
When the head is correctly balanced, the robotic drives will need a
minimum amount of effort to move the head. A correctly balanced
head and payload can be set to any tilt position and the head will
maintain that position 'hands off'.

Setting the Fore / Aft Balance

Ensure that the head and camera cradle are level before balancing.
The camera and payload should be fitted on the cradle, so that
the load is balanced. This can be achieved by moving the camera
forwards (Fore) or backwards (Aft) on the cradle.
CAUTION! Risk of damage to equipment. Be prepared to
!
prevent the camera and cradle from falling away suddenly.
1. Engage the tilt lock. Loosen the bolts securing the camera to the
cradle just enough to be able to slide the camera and payload
backwards and forwards.
2. Hold and steady the camera cradle, then disengage the tilt lock.
Carefully release the camera cradle and observe how it moves
and where it stops.
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If the camera cradle stops in
a horizontal position (camera
pointing directly forward), the
balance is correct.
If the camera cradle tilts forward (points
downwards), then the camera must be
moved towards the rear of the head (aft).