Kessler 100 Series CineDrive Slider Motor

Before diving into the world of filmmaking, it's crucial to understand the importance of precise slide movements. The 100 Series CineDrive Slider Motor is designed to deliver this precision, enhancing your filmmaking repertoire. Unlike other brands that offer fixed motors, CineDrive provides a range of five unique motors, each with distinct gear ratios, allowing you to customize your kit based on your specific needs.

Much like a bicycle requires different gears for various terrains, using the same motor for every filmmaking application is not ideal. Other brands may claim their fixed motors can handle all tasks, but this often leads to the need for costly add-ons and counterbalance products. These not only increase your costs but also complicate the setup process.

The 100 Series CineDrive Slider Motor is recommended for most applications, particularly when lifting vertically more than 12.5 lbs. However, it's important to note that a stronger motor may reduce the top-end speed. The 100 series motor is twice as fast as the 200 series when set at the same speed, primarily when used in a vertical or inclined configuration.

While the mechanical portion of the motor mirrors its analog elektraDRIVE counterpart, the control method is entirely different, resulting in a unique performance. The previous analog system relied on energy pulses sent to the motor to predict its position. This could lead to inaccuracies during slow vertical/incline moves, especially with a high gear ratio motor that could be back driven when not under power.

The CineDrive digital system, however, features a high-resolution encoder that monitors the exact position of the motor, using the available power to maintain that position. This feature allows the use of higher-geared motors for slow movements while maintaining high speed and increasing the vertical/incline lift capacity.

One factor to consider is the one amp limit on the control board. The maximum limits listed by each motor are based on the highest speed, which draws the most current. If you set the motor to a slower speed, it can lift more. For instance, the 50:1 motor can lift more than 7.5 lbs. at full speed. If you reduce the max motor speed to 50%, it can lift up to 15 lbs., as it won't draw enough power to trigger the current limit switch.

In conclusion, the 100 Series CineDrive Slider Motor offers a versatile and customizable solution for filmmakers, ensuring precision and control in every shot.