solutions / electrical / Outline of products

Control Racks

We design, build, and stock a comprehensive range of modular drive racks capable of powering both servo and asynchronous motors from 100 W up to in excess of 15 kW. Whether it’s a single axis requirement or a fully integrated multi-axis system, our racks scale seamlessly from the simplest productions to the most demanding and complex shows.

Thanks to our distributed architecture, all racks are fully interoperable and can be positioned wherever they best serve the production. This flexibility allows us to locate equipment in discreet or space-restricted areas, minimising long cable runs and enabling clean, efficient integration within any venue layout.

01 Rack[Four]

The Rack[Four] is our flagship multi-axis drive platform, purpose built to deliver maximum capability within a compact, production ready
package. Its standard configuration provides four fully featured axes, with optional arrangements allowing control of up to six axes from a single unit, making it an exceptionally powerful core for both simple and advanced automation systems.

As a fully self contained drive and controller, the Rack[Four] integrates all hardware required for precise closed loop motion control, including a direct operator console connection, an onboard independent safety controller, and a built-in touchscreen interface. The touchscreen provides local control and status of each axis directly from the front of the cabinet, enabling fast
setup, diagnostics, and operation without the need for external devices.

Optimised for lifting applications, the Rack[Four] features high power integrated brake resistors and supports dual brake outputs, delivering reliable, safety critical performance for lifting operations.

Designed for real-world theatre and touring environments, the Rack[Four] is housed in a rugged, touring-grade flight case that ensures durability and rapid deployment. It can serve as the central controller for all onboard axes or slot seamlessly into a distributed multi-rack architecture. This flexibility makes it ideal for productions that require high axis density, efficient load-in/ load-out workflows, and dependable day-to-day performance.

The Rack[One] is a purpose-built, compact single-axis drive cabinet engineered for productions that require robust performance within a minimal footprint. Developed as the streamlined counterpart to our flagship Rack[Four], it delivers the same high quality engineering principles in a smaller form factor. For added versatility, the Rack[One] can also be specified as a 2 axis unit, increasing capacity without introducing system complexity.

As a fully self contained drive and controller, the Rack[One] incorporates all hardware necessary for precise closed loop motion control. This includes a dedicated operator console interface and an independent onboard safety controller. A comprehensive suite of configurable safety functions ensures full compliance and protection across a wide range of automation applications.

Optimised for lifting tasks, the Rack[One] features an integrated brake resistor and dual brake outputs, providing dependable performance for safety critical hoisting operations.

Housed in a compact rackmount chassis, the Rack[One] is equally at home operating as a standalone controller for a single axis or as part of a larger distributed system, adding one or two additional axes wherever required. Its modular architecture, small footprint, and rapid deployment design make it ideal for space-constrained venues, touring environments, and any production where reliability and flexibility are paramount.

The Drive[Box] is an ultra compact single axis drive module designed to seamlessly augment larger automation systems. Its rackmount form factor allows it to be installed close to the mechanical axis, reducing centralised rack farms, minimising long cable runs and lowering earth leakage. Multiple units can be deployed side by side to create a high-density multi-axis configuration within an exceptionally small footprint, with an optional dual-axis variant available to increase system density even further.

Optimised for non-lifting applications, the Drive[Box] incorporates only the essential components required for precise closedloop motion control, conserving both space and weight without compromising performance. An integrated multi-colour LED provides at-a-glance axis status visibility from a distance, aiding quick setup and diagnostics. When required, external brake resistors can be connected to extend system versatility.

Occupying just 5U of rack space, the Drive[Box] pairs effortlessly with controllers such as the Rack[One], Rack[Four], or Universal[Controller] to rapidly assemble scalable, distributed multi-axis systems. Its compact, modular design makes it an ideal solution for productions where space efficiency, flexibility, and performance are paramount.

The Universal[Controller] is a compact, high-performance control node engineered to act as the central processing hub of any motion control system. Designed with versatility at its core, it manages all motion control, I/O, logic and safety, making it the perfect foundation for projects of any scale.

Optimised for use with our Drive[Box] as well as seamlessly compatible with the Rack[One], Rack[Four], and the wider Absolute ecosystem, the Universal[Controller] enables fully modular, distributed system architectures. Its small 3U footprint allows it to be efficiently integrated into flight cases alongside multiple Drive[Box]s, creating dense, portable multi-axis control packages ideal for touring and space-constrained environments.

Operational clarity is built in at every level. The controller features an intuitive touchscreen for real time status, diagnostics, and configuration; a dedicated operator console connection; an onboard independent safety controller; direct interfaces for our tracking encoder range; and native support for our WhirlyReeler™ winches.

Highly flexible, redeploy able, and engineered for robust performance, the Universal[Controller] delivers a powerful, multifunctional platform capable of adapting to a broad spectrum of theatrical automation applications, whether driving a single axis or coordinating complex multi-axis systems with precision and reliability.