Epic + Scarlet + Genus Hurricane Beamsplitter = ?

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

Thank you for the nice resources Paul!

Michael, do you have more info on the rig, brochure or images?

[Michael Hastings]

Thank you for the nice resources Paul!

Michael, do you have more info on the rig, brochure or images?

Here's the press release:

http://www.aquavideo.com/press/AquaV...essrelease.pdf

Here's some added notes that explain a little of how it is different:

True to its name it uses aircraft type construction to make an extremely rigid and squared up unit, yet is easy to setup and can be transported in a carryon size case, including the standard 14x10 beamsplitter. The unit allows easy setup for both larger and smaller mirrors and can be used with numerous Professional camcorders, dSLRs and of course Red and other Digital Cinema cameras.

The beamsplitter/camera mount system is used to create smaller interaxial distances (center to center distance of the lenses) than could be achieved by mounting the cameras side by side. Absolute precision overlay of the images is essential to eliminate viewer eyestrain and psychological fatigue.

While some error can be corrected in postproduction through software manipulation, proper alignment in the production phase greatly reduces and simplifies that process, and in particular, alignment is extremely important in live 3D production.

Lightweight and easy assembly/disassembly is important for both production and transportation between productions. However, current units require substantial adjustment to align initially and to keep aligned.


AquaVideo has a Haas VF-1 CNC Machining center for use in building our underwater housings but is somewhat underutilized due to the low volume of our high end custom work. The Aero3D is a perfect production product to better utilize that capacity, and the precision of the CNC combined with an elegant design makes an extremely, strong and lightweight beamsplitter 3D rig.

Modern CNC machines are extremely accurate (typically 001" and often .0001 or less accuracy) within themselves -* i.e as long as the part is not removed or refixtured there is virtually no error in the slot geometry or the position of the holes which define the all important "squareness".*

The same principle applies to the crosspiece/camera mount components, the "squareness" is not defined by the shape or precision of the piece itself - it is strictly by the positions of the pattern of holes in the plate.*

This also leads to the further benefit that it can easily accommodate different mirror widths by simply using a different set set of crosspieces - yet "squareness" is maintained.*

Similarly, different camera heights and camera to mirror distances can be accommodated by simply moving the side mount component to a different set of holes on the side plate.

Rigidity of mirror slot is enhanced by the triangular shape at the top, again a part of the single piece side plate.

Lightweight is achieved through the aluminum alloy and the large cutout of the triangle portion. In use, stray light is kept off the mirror and camera lenses through the use of lightweight foam plastic side and top panels that are easily removed for camera access.

The elimination of a separate mirror frame, as used in most other units, reduces weight and allows the mirror to be easily accessible for rapid installation and removal. Further, various size mirrors can be easily accommodated through the use of stop screws in the side of the groove.

Fixation of the mirror, and* minute registration adjustments to the mirror geometry can be made with the top and bottom set screws in threaded crossholes through the groove.

To further enhance precision we use a single piece of mic6 aluminum for each side. Mic6 aluminum is ground and treated at the mill to make it both nearly perfectly flat and to relieve stresses in the material that can cause regular aluminum sheets to warp after machining.