System Elements
The Spin Browser dial, when coupled with the FrameGlide software, is ideal for exploring dynamic phenomena. Offering essentially infinite dynamic range, the exponentally-scaled interface allows quickly traversing vast amounts of content, yet provides frame-accurate control.
Dial Styles
TechnoFrolics stocks two styles of dial. Both are stainless steel, 3 inch diameter with finger dimple, dual bearing-mounted. The first is self-contained within an 8 inch diameter anodized aluminum dome, and may be removably placed on a tabletop or bolted permanently to an exhibit surface. The second is panel mount for integrating into custom cabinetry. Wiring connections and pricing are identical.
The dome option is preferred by many of our clients. Because we enjoy seeing it as a signature feature in FrameGlide / Spin Browser systems (when suitable to the exhibit design), we offer it at a discount to match the panel-mount cost.
Attaching a Dome-Mounted Dial to An Exhibit
The dome-mounted dial has three 1/4-20 threaded inserts and can be quickly bolted to any exhibit surface. See the 1-to-1 mounting template.
Attaching a Panel-Mounted Dial to An Exhibit
The 4”x4” aluminum panel has four clearance holes sized for #10 screws. You can mount the panel on either the front of an exhibit's display surface or behind the exhibit's display surface.
For back panel mounting see the Bearing Plate Assembly CAD drawing (includes detailed notes).
Be sure:
- Your design allows the dial to seat securely and fully on its shaft, and the set screw properly meets the ground flat on the shaft, when reassembling.
- The mounting hole is sufficiently large to clear the 4 button head screws securing the bearing block, not just the dial itself.
Connecting the Grounding Cable to the Dial
For reliable operation, it is essential that you ground the user interface so visitor-generated sparks do not adversely affect exhibit functioning.
This cable's omission may result in your exhibit being permanently damaged by visitor-generated sparks (and will void the warrantee). See additional information here.
Wiring the Dial to the Computer
The illustrations and notes in this section address a dial-to-computer distance of up to 15 feet, and from 15 to 150 feet.
Wiring with a 15 Foot Dial-to-Computer Distance
Connect the dial to the computer, as shown, using the specified components.
Wiring with a 15 to 150 Foot Dial-to-Computer Distance
Connect the dial to the computer, as shown, using the specified components. Be sure to use the guidelines following the diagram regarding connection of a Plenum Cat6E/6/5 Extension Cable.
Connecting a Plenum Cat6E/6/5 Extension Cable
In general it is best to extend the signal from the dial to the quadrature > RS232 serial adapter, rather than have the A/V installer extend the serial signal. The reason for this is that it allows powering the adapter off the computer's power supply, and thus power cycles the adapter when the computer power cycles.
The directions below relate to situations where A/V installer pulls and terminates a Cat6E/6/5 extension cable, rather than using a pre-terminated cable supplied by TechnoFrolics.
- Cat6E/6/5 cabling needs to be terminated at each end with RJ12 connectors (like RJ11 four wire phone connectors, but with six wires/pins).
- Simply attach the two connectors identically in terms of what wire goes to what pin. In other words, if you placed the two ends of the cable with connectors attached, side by side (not facing each other mirror image!), the wire colors would all be identical.
- Twisted pair issues within the Cat6E/6/5 cable. The quadrature A signal must not be on the same twisted pair as the quadrature B signal. (Thus, you could pair A with +5, B with ground, or whatever, just not A with B.) Please click here for more information
CAD Drawings and Photos List
Select any thumbnail or description for a full-scale image.
Dome Mount Dial Photos and CAD Drawings
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Photo of anodized aluminum dome with stainless steel dial |
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PDF CAD drawing: detail of bottom plate |
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PDF CAD drawing: side view and detail of knob |
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PDF CAD drawing: mounting hole template |
