Hi,
I am French (excuse me for my bad English writing)
I'm a pyrotechnician in France (over society at the moment) in a little more
For 10 years and I have 26 years old.
I worked with Lacroix-Ruggieri, Regie Fetes Pyrotechnie, and I was
Firework designer for the compagnie Brezac Artifices.
During these experiences I have had the opportunity to approach several Firing System (Traditionnal or with computer) and work with some fireworks compagny (A.Caballer, V.Caballer, Martarello, Parente, Lidu, Zaragozana, Igual, Bugat, ATPM and Vaini)
(At competitions, festivals, partnerships abroad ...), I have had the opportunity approaching systems: Genetec, Vega Elec, Parente, Pyroleda, Fireone, Pyrodigital (Infinity Vision), Pyrodigital (Art-France), Efisy (Caballer), Zaragozana Electronic Firing System Prototype, 'Rafaleur' Groupe F. .. And more traditional systems and sometimes homebuilding (in traditional or XLR or DMX512 etc...)
In recent years I wanted to create my own fireworks compagny in Northern
France, but it was very difficult (administrative problems associated, logistic etc ...)
So I cancelled that idea (for the moment), however, I have taken a close interest in all its Electronic Firing Systems and therefore I think I can partially address some issues that Thread.
Today, there are more and more computerized firing systems on the market more or less reliable, more or less precise, more or less easy to use and more or less cheap, wired or HF, or sometimes a combination of 2 systems.
The budgetary aspect is really in determining your choice in term of Electronic Firing System. But (with the decline of the USD right now, it may be an opportunity to buy American Productts (Fireone, Firelite, Pyrodigital FM4 and FC3 + possibly Fire Magic system if you are manufacturer of fireworks.)
If I had to choose now a modular system and highly efficient, versatile and that I had a good budget, I buy eyes closed a set 'Vicente Caballer EFISY' (Wired / HF) fully compatible with the pyrodigital Infinity Vision Modules.
This product has really become very reliable, fully compatible with the pyrodigital, extremely precise, easy to use, more powerful than the pyrodigital. It's sort pyrodigital the Infinity Vision modernized and upgraded!
However, cheaply, i hesitate too much on a set Pyroleda which is also very good!
The Fireone is economically interesting (especially in terms of wiring cables), but still lacks power and precision. The software is excellent, but the hardware leaves a bit to be desired ...
I like try a pyrodigit I do not know, but I had a few bad echoes.
The Firemaster of Parente is also very interesting, but again I find it not always very precise.
It seems that LT-Pyro is also excellent (I have not tried), but I saw some impressive benefits!
Other systems mentioned above at the beginning of the issue, are more or less attractive depending on your usage, your budget ... But I do not hold it an unforgettable!
Finally, come to Pyrodigital, one of the major references on the industry.
It is very powerful, but a bit of fatigue. It is becoming older, more major improvements.
The software is formidable, however the party Hardware truly deserves to be improved because it is beginning to be exceeded by the years!
My heart really balance between V. Caballer Efisy and Pyroleda Firing System with Computer Sequencer. Maybe the Fire One if one day they really improve and produce modules much smaller!
The system of Groupe F is a system developed by themselves.
It is a homemade.
Very powerful and interesting, but very heavy logistics and not always reliable.
Efisy Caballer done the same thing.
In fact V. Caballer really expressed the need to have a system as effective as the system of Groupe F, but less complex, more ergonomic and more versatile, and above all is still compatible with their old modules Pyrodigital. Efisy is born of this idea!
Now I will try to explain a little (just) the system of Group F and V. Caballer (it will be difficult because in English, the words are very technical and complex, so I will try to do simple) (Thanks Google translator! LoL)
'Rafaleur of Groupe F':
'Efisy of Vicente Caballer':
Thank you for the illustrations:
http://pyroraph.free.fr, Group F, Pirotecnia
Vicente Caballer,
http://christopheblanc.free.fr,
http://www.feuerwerk.net,
http://www.amigospirotecnia.comhttp://www.pyroworld.nl
On one of the first images you can see the inscription (Badaboum) on one of
Their controllers. That of humour and irony, Groupe F gives a little nickname
Each of its controllers.
Here, it's called 'Badaboum'
Summing up the Groupe F system is composed of many traditional rack firing system whose human impulse on the knobs is replaced by a control computer. (Apple System)
The controllers operate them according to a Master / Slave.
The firing system is a bit complex to program and cumbersome for logistical purposes but it is very easy to install and connect because it works with modules of the system is very simple but very effective.
These modules are called 'Rafaleurs', they operate a bit like sequencers.
The 'Rafaleur' is composed of 10 Shooting line + 1 Bypass Line.
Each electrical impulse received by the rafaleur automatically trigger an initial firing. But the 'rafaleur' stops at the second line of fire and is awaiting a second electrical impulse to take the next and so on.
To do great gusts and very fast after 10 impulses it can operate automatically and arrived at the bypass line, the impetus to pass another module 'rafaleur' and so forth.
In fact it is simply a very powerful simple sequencers that operate autonomously and regular as soon as they receive an electrical pulse.
Thus they are not programmable.
To set all this are the traditional controllers which are programmed by computer Apple Powerbook (with software Medialon Dataton) that give instructions to XLR cable boxes (Splitters) Dataton Trax.
The Dataton Trax are interfaces that will automate various systems to send impulses to the many 'rafaleurs'.
The rafaleurs do not need power, they are simply booted individually before each fireworks show.
It is a system difficult to explain in English, the better to see it work to understand!
The 'rafaleur' is a product manufactured by a small company called ORAILEC French.
Now you wonder, why in Groupe F uses such a system?
You should know that Groupe F has made it a point of honour to them develop their own systems, special effects ...
At the time the pyrodigital was not fast enough to make gusts as intense, fast and too long 'rafals one shot'.
Another thing, they insisted on driving their firing system in Mac OS for reasons of reliability and stability of the Operating System, so they had their own system and their own interface.
Finally, they opted at the time for this system so that it can create simulations (for themselves and customers) and that can both manage a fireworks display, but also their special effects (generators Flames).
Their special effects (home made generators flames) are also driven by the system DATATON Trax and Medialon under Mac OS.
On some shows their system can be synchronized directly by GPS (satellite) so that there have never timing error or bug in their programming! It is a system that is both simple and complex and hard to explain.
Groupe F uses Medialon system, because it is a reference in the entertainment industry to both manage real-time an entire program (both audio, midi system, robots, lighting, DMX system, firing system and the system is Autonomous)
This software is greatly used in museums, parks and recreational attraction, as well as in the entertainment industry because it allows you to manage everything from A to Z.
But it is true that it is complex to implement.
->For Vicente Caballer system, it's still slightly different, but the idea was somewhat the same ...
They could not have a cadence Fuzing similar to the same Groupe F with several Pyrodigital coupled FC3.
They also wanted a simpler system than Groupe F and with a possibility to use HF, Wired or mixed.
Efisy is equipped with a touch-screen color and / or black and white. It works almost like a pyrodigital (automatic, with timecode SMTP modem manual etc ...) except he has a few more opportunities, is more powerful, can be used in HF and with former pyrodigital modules but also control Pyrodigital old controller and vice versa.
The modules and lines can be verified at a distance more easily and the whole rest more reliable.
(The top that before the fall of the US Dollar, Efisy was a little cheaper than pyrodigital!)
According to the latest news V. Caballer had not yet developed software for Efisy, they used the software to Infinity Vision (Pyrodigital), but I heard that they wanted to create their own software (I do not know if c That is already done!)
The modules Efisy work on the same principle that the modules FM3 and FM4 Pyrodigital, except they are more compact and include a protective shell of steel and has a particular pin. Allowing automatic linking One shot Vicente Caballer Pack with a simple connection.
Thus, the preparation of One Shot Pack Caballer are ahead and the fireworks there was just plug pin. There is thus an enormous amount of time on the ground. No need to connect individually ignitiaters.
A few years ago (see photo) Switzerland BUGANO the firm had wanted to change the Pyrodigital by making HF. But the changes have concerned that the modules. The controller was never redrafted.
(As Efisy has its beginning, but still, the system modules HF Bugano still has some problems and delay response time)
To me, Vicente Caballer Efisy truly is the most powerful system on the market do shows pyromusicals!
It's sort of a nice mix Pyrodigital, Fireone, Firemaster and the system of Group F.
Of course, the perfect not exist and efisy could ask for a few changes and improvements.
But it is still an excellent product at a very good price!
Excuse me again for my bad English, I hope you still a little understood what I meant.
Best regards
All the bests
Nico from France
