06.09.2010

New Campod goes live

Bradford, UK -based access specialist Blade Access has launched its Campod – a platform mounted TV camera cage specifically designed for the outside broadcast sector.

Satellite broadcast company Sky is launching Europe's first 3D channel to millions of UK homes on October 1 this year. As part of the trials, Blade Access and the new Campod assisted the new SKY SPORTS 3D filming at The Celtic Manor Golf Resort in Newport, Wales in preparation for the first broadcast – the 2010 Ryder Cup.
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Blade Access' new CAMPOD working with Sky Sports 3D

Blade used one of its 45 metre Palfinger Wumag truck mounted platforms for the two day event allowing direct communication between all the 3D field cameras and Sky’s 3D outside broadcast truck. The live images were then processed within the OB truck to give crystal clear 3D imagery of the live golf as it was played.

“It is exciting for Blade Access to work alongside Sky with new innovations in OB and especially after working closely with the industry during the development of the Blade Campod,” said Mark Bell of Blade Access. “Our fresh innovative ideas not only improving working at height safety but also making work easier and more comfortable for all involved.”
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The CAMPOD was used with Blades' 45 metre Palfinger platform at the Celtic Manor Golf Resort in Newport.

Bell had the original idea after watching an interview with a TV golf cameraman who said it had been a great day apart from the fact that he was stood in the platform all day for 12 hours.

“The Campod is designed to rotate both the seated camera man and camera 360 degrees within a standard MEWP work cage unlike other ‘camera cages’ currently available that have to remove the standard work cage and re-fit the camera cage,” he said. “We achieved full 360 degrees rotation thanks to a balanced centrally mounted Bright Bar from which both the Campod seating arrangement and the camera housing arm are attached.

“This also allows both camera and man to simultaneously rotate. The smooth rotation is controlled by the camera man’s feet and resistance can be added for more ‘delicate’ panning shots, allowing the camera man to use both hands for camera control at all times.”

Protection for the cameraman is provided by a fixed full body harness and also rear and side cage protection. A shelter version is also available to protect the cameraman from both rain and intense sun shine. The breathable air-flow fabric is waterproofed using a chemical based on the element fluorine. In a closed chamber, the chemical is vaporised and attaches, molecule by molecule, to all the fibres in the fabric.

“The chemical makes the surface ‘hydrophobic’ or water-repelling, so that instead of water spreading out it forms droplets on the surface,” explained Bell. “The chemical coating covers just the fibres, rather than forming a skin across the whole surface, as with currently available waterproofing treatments. This means the spaces between fibres remain open and the fabric is still breathable allowing air to flow freely. It was very important for us to keep air flow with in the fabric so it didn’t act as a wind sail when elevated and potentially compromise the stability of the platform in high winds. The angle at which the canopy is mounted onto the Campod was also very important to further reduce any airflow resistance."

It is also possible to mount two Campod’s in one cage allowing two different simultaneous camera viewpoints.

“We have received excellent feedback to date and I am pleased that as a specialist access provider we can further improve end users working conditions in terms of safety and comfort,” he said. “It shows how yet another industry sector has positively responded and welcomed improving working at height safety standards.”