C·A·T V5 Control System
Your visions made real: with C·A·T V5, you gain unparalleled control and precision. Designed with your needs in mind, C·A·T V5 offers advanced motion control, seamless integration, and a user-friendly interface. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with top-notch safety features and the flexibility to adapt to any production, ensuring your performances are always exceptional.
Complexity handled. Simplicity delivered.
Control even the most complex machines through an interface that always stays intuitive.
Our mission?
The success in automating any stage production arises from mastering four key dimensions: unrestricted safety, high availability, powerful features and an exciting user experience.
Our mission is to provide pure excellence in all dimensions when translating your visions for a spectacular performance into a beautifully choreographed ballet of machine movements.
C⋅A⋅T V5. Powerful. Individual. Safe.
Our motivation?
To integrate the best control ideas found in theatre, show and performance automation into a single powerful concept, pushing the existing boundaries.
Proven by Experience
Right from the start, we had a very potent tool.
Romain Lejbowicz
Stage machinist at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris
The first impression was: wow, that is super simple, it is easy to manoeuvre and handle.
Romain Lejbowicz
Stage machinist at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris
SMART GUIDING DESIGN
Best in class user experience composed of - a well-thought-out visual concept with appealing graphics - controls design that fully supports the workflow - a screen layout adapting to the changing working context - a set of smart assistants that guide you through all challenges in your daily work and - an integrated collaborative team working environment was set as target for the C⋅A⋅T V5 user interface. Participate in the C⋅A⋅T V5 user group for further raising the bar.
FAST LEARNING, CONFIDENT OPERATION
The intuitive user interface enables a fast learning curve and supports confident, efficient daily operation. Clear structures reduce complexity and help operators stay in control at all times. Supported by drag & drop and multi-touch gestures allow quick navigation and graphical editing on touchscreen consoles. The context sensitive dialogue design enables the intuitive and straightforward operation. And if haptic feedback is essential for you, the C⋅A⋅T GEAR control devices extend the human machine interface from software to integrated hardware options.
ALWAYS EXPANDABLE
Start with a basic setup and expand the CAT system at any time to integrate more machines, desks or special applications. These possibilities protect your investment and grows with your production needs.
Is C⋅A⋅T also capable to run my venue?
C⋅A⋅T V5 is designed to enable fully synchronized concurrent moves of more than 200 axes with guaranteed shortest reaction times, even for high-speed performer flying hoists. Its internal equipment modeling engine translates the highly complex mechanical systems into simple and natural operating commands.
CERTIFIED MAXIMUM SAFETY
Maximum safety according to EN 17206, SIL3 and PLe ensures uncompromising protection of people and equipment. Certified safety concepts guarantee reliable operation in demanding scenarios.
FUTURE-PROOF BY DESIGN
Our own certified SIL3 hardware enables continuous, future-proof system integration. Full control over development ensures long-term availability and system consistency.
PROVEN AROUND THE GLOBE
Proven worldwide in more than 40 countries – with over 20,000 axes in daily operation. Multilingual systems, global support and localized service enable reliable assistance worldwide. International standards ensure consistent performance in every market.
Why choosing C⋅A⋅T?
C⋅A⋅T V5 is designed to perform your daily work with minimum effort and produce astonishing effects within a moment. It allows to control and monitor any detail of a motion, and is always quick to respond. Our software solutions do not only focus on live operation of the machinery, but also offer assistance and tools for the entire system life-cycle from installation to operation, trouble-shooting and routine maintenance.
ONE SYSTEM FOR EVERY SHOW
Ideal for permanent shows, repertoire operation, daily changing productions and mobile applications. Designed and optimized for all venues, the CAT system adapts to each specific use case from the operator’s perspective.
WORK THE WAY YOU PREFER
Work in any order you choose – the system highlights invalid states and simplifies changes. Fast reactions are possible without causing waiting times or delaying the operational workflow.
©Waagner-Biro Stage SystemsOPEN SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Seamless integration via PSN, sACN and SMPTE/Timecode. Open interfaces ensure smooth communication with lighting, sound and show control systems.
What makes C⋅A⋅T V5 unique?
C⋅A⋅T V5 is designed to realize almost any creative vision by providing a full set of editing and live control features for any kind of machinery driven motion. It offers a full range of control possibilities from directly controlled motion of a single machine for set-up to synchronized group motion with trigger conditions and dynamic effects. Multi-axis 3D motion and communication to external systems are available through modular software upgrades.
DESIGNED FOR EVERY DAY OPERATION
Dedicated accessories support an efficient and ergonomic working environment. Thoughtful hardware design reduces fatigue and increases long-term performance.
EFFICIENT AND REUSABLE CONCEPTS
Reusable targets and groups organized in clear categories simplify programming. Structured concepts reduce effort and improve long-term maintainability. C⋅A⋅T expects the unexpected. From allowing any unplanned move within seconds without affecting your current programming task up to the possibility of easily updating referenced target positions throughout the show. Whether you are flying objects from your decoration warehouse or creating a new bare batten ballet: our smart targeting assistant will always suggest the most likely target selections.
BUILT-IN OPERATOR ASSISTANCE
Undo/Redo, alert systems, continuous telemetry recording and integrated hints help resolve issues quickly. The system actively supports safe and stable operation. A clean, well-structured visualization keeps operators calm and focused, even in stressful situations. If you need a safe zone for developing the perfect motion profile, choose one of multiple virtual stages for safe move simulation without any risk for the machinery and scenery. Clone your current stage setting to a virtual stage within seconds, and run your cues over and over again. You can share your virtual stage with other operators and practise the most challenging cue sequences from multiple consoles. 3D visualisation of your stage machinery, your decorations or the whole venue will be available at different levels of detail.
TURNING TEAMWORK INTO PERFORMANCE
C⋅A⋅T turns technical crews into a collaborative ballet. Personalized user accounts allow every operator to work in parallel and stay perfectly coordinated. Multi-user editing enables fully concurrent workflows without lock-outs, making teamwork efficient, transparent and reliable. No matter how many operators are working on different consoles: all your actions are stored in your personal operator session. Restore your previous session upon log in, start a new session or transfer a running session to/from another console when a different location is more convenient or safe. Undo and redo all of your personal actions at any time.
Powerful.
KEY FEATURES
- The redundant high-speed safety control network can integrate more than 2,000 axes into a single control system—without any loss of synchronization or precision. Based on Ethernet technology, it utilizes standardized IT networking components.
- The AXIO 5 safety motion controller is installed in either centralized or decentralized motor control cabinets. It provides a flexible interface to all types and brands of switchgear, frequency converters (VFDs), as well as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- UNICORN motor control cabinets are installed directly adjacent to the machines, enabling the shortest possible commissioning times and providing the benefits of a permanently available plug-and-play backup solution.
- Up to 30 wired or wireless operator consoles can be integrated to ensure maximum ease of operation and the highest level of safety. In addition, network-based local control panels and displays can be incorporated wherever they are required.
- Redundant, high-performance rack server systems handle data storage and processing, ensuring fast user interface response times and minimal machine reaction times. The 19-inch rack server cabinet includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect the control system power supply, as well as a third Ethernet network for connecting additional devices.
- A VPN/firewall connection establishes online access to the C·A·T Remote Service and the remote backup network via an existing internet connection.
System Architecture
Safe.
KEY FEATURES
- Certification according to EN/IEC 61508:2011 p1-7 (2nd edition).
- Type approval according to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
- The AXIO 5 hardware and software is certified as a safety motion i/o controller.
- A certified programming language allows implementation of additional safety functions without recertification.
- The configuration and selection of safety functions is certified.
How does C⋅A⋅T V5 approach functional safety?
C⋅A⋅T V5 is developed and certified under EN/IEC 61508:2011 to guarantee a quality level up to SIL 3 / PLe for any implemented safety function. The safety functions are implemented based on the usage scenarios and risk analysis described in the most referenced machinery standards for the entertainment industry EN 17206, DIN 56950-1, CWA 15902-1 and DGUV regulation 17 (former BGV-C1). For any safety function, an individual documentation and safety rating is available.
CERTIFIED SAFETY FUNCTIONS
Generic safety of machinery
Application specific
Muting
Individual.
ONE SYSTEM - COUNTLESS CONFIGURATIONS
C⋅A⋅T V5 is designed with respect to many different ideas and operating concepts. Starting from a widely scalable system design based on cost-effective standard hardware, it offers highly flexible configuration options for both console hardware and control software features. You may find a C⋅A⋅T V5 system as a safety control solution for a single hoist or lift, or as the master automation control system in a large scale acrobatic show.