Over the past century, Broadway shows have largely stayed true to their core offering—lots of singing, lots of choreography, and spectacular stage settings. While purists may argue about how much or how little Broadway themes, songs, and dancing have evolvedCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, few will debate the extent to which Broadway scenery has advanced. Key to these advances in stagecraft is automation. Often the very same types of automation used in industrial settings.
　　“The typical Broadway show today requires the use of automation to move scenery that控制工程网版权所有, either because of its design, size, or complexity, can’t be done by a person pulling a rope or some other manual way,” says Chuck Adomanis, automation department head for Hudson Scenic Studio, a New York-based company that provides production and scenic fabrication for the entertainment industry.

　　Hudson manual control and drive rack. In the left bay, the operator manual control station includes selectors per effect for local, off, and auto mode section; a single set of jog control including forward, reverse, and speed pot operators; and a Mitsubishi E1101 HMI. In the right bay is a six-axis drive panel including Mitsubishi E720 5HP drives; Sprecher + Schuh contactors for motor and brake control; and a Beckhoff BK7150 CC-Link coupler moducle with digital input, digital outputCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, and encoder input modules.

　　Even if you have never been to a Broadway show, you’ve probably seen Hudson Scenic Studio’s work. They provide the automation systems that lower the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball, as well as scenic fabrication, automation控制工程网版权所有, and lighting for themed casinos, restaurants, and amusement parks.
　　The two main uses of automation in Broadway shows are to fly scenery in and out from above and to bring things on and off stage. “We primarily use ac motors to power winches to drive the machines that handle this kind of work控制工程网版权所有,” says Adomanis. “But we also use different motion control types, like hydraulic and pneumatic. Our business is really ab