ARRI cforce mini RF User Manual

cforce mini RF

cforce mini RF

Software Update Package 1.2

Software Update Package 1.2

USER MANUAL

USER MANUAL

14th April 2021

14th April 2021

2 Imprint

Imprint

Copyright

Copyright © 2021 ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Gesellschaft m.b.H. (ARRI).
All rights reserved. No portions of this document may be reproduced without
prior written consent of ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Errors, ommissions, and
modifications excepted.

ARRI, ALEXA, LDS and LENS DATA SYSTEM are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG. All
other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders and should be treated as such.

Original version.

This product was manufactured by ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Ges.m.b.H for
Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG.

For further assistance

ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Pottendorferstraße 23-25/3/2/1

1120 Vienna, Austria

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.arri.com

Scope

This USER MANUAL applies to the following product:

K2.0016802 cforce mini RF with Software Update Package 1.2

Imprint 3

Document revision history

Version ID Order # Release Date

1.0 10002881 K5.0016851 F06617 03.05.2018

1.1 10002881 K5.0016851 W01412 25.09.2018

2.0 10002881 K5.0016851 W01453 14.12.2018

3.0 10002881 K5.0016851 W01463 14.04.2021

4

Disclaimer

Before using the products described in this manual, be sure to read and
understand all the respective instructions.

The ARRI Software Update Package 1.2 cforce mini RF is/are only available
to commercial customers. By utilization, the customer agrees that the cforce
mini RF or other components of the system are deployed for commercial use
only. Otherwise the customer must contact ARRI before utilization.

While ARRI endeavors to enhance the quality, reliability and safety of their
products, customers agree and acknowledge that the possibility of defects
thereof cannot be eliminated entirely. To minimize the risk of damage to
property or injury (including death) to persons arising from defects in the
products, customers must incorporate sufficient safety measures in their work
with the system and heed the stated canonic use.

ARRI or its subsidiaries do not assume any responsibility for losses incurred
due to improper handling or configuration of the cforce mini RF or other
system components.

ARRI assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this
document. The information is subject to change without notice.

For product specification changes after this manual was published, refer to
the latest published ARRI data sheets or release notes, etc., for the most up­to-date specifications. Not all products and/or types are available in every
country. Please check with an ARRI sales representative for availability and
additional information.

Neither ARRI nor its subsidiaries assume any liability for infringement of
patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of third parties by or
arising from the use of ARRI products or any other liability arising from the
use of such products. No license, express, implied or otherwise, is granted
under any patents, copyrights or other intellectual property right of ARRI or
others.

ARRI or its subsidiaries expressly exclude any liability, warranty, demand or
other obligation for any claim, representation, cause, action, or whatsoever,
express or implied, whether in contract or not, including negligence, or
incorporated in terms and conditions, whether by statue, law or otherwise.
In no event shall ARRI or its subsidiaries be liable for or have a remedy
for recovery of any special, direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential
damages, including, but not limited to lost profits, lost savings, lost revenues

5

or economic loss of any kind or for any claim by a third party, downtime,
good-will, damage to or replacement of equipment or property, any cost or
recovery of any material or goods associated with the assembly or use of our
products, or any other damages or injury of the persons and so on or under
any other legal theory.

In the event that one or all of the foregoing clauses are not allowed by
applicable law, the fullest extent permissible clauses by applicable law are
validated.

6 Contents

Contents

1 For your safety...................................................................7

2 Audience and intended use..............................................9

3 Scope of delivery and warranty..................................... 10

4 Introduction...................................................................... 11

4.1 LBUS..................................................................... 12

5 Motor layout..................................................................... 13

5.1 Control panel......................................................... 13

5.2 Setup..................................................................... 14

5.3 Status LEDs.......................................................... 18

6 Motor preparation............................................................ 19

7 Compatibility.....................................................................22

7.1 Sample configurations...........................................22

8 Software update............................................................... 25

9 Power disconnection....................................................... 26

10 Appendix...........................................................................27

10.1 Antenna connector................................................ 27

10.2 Specifications........................................................ 27

10.3 Dimensions and weight......................................... 30

10.4 Pinouts...................................................................31

10.5 Part numbers.........................................................32

10.6 Service contacts....................................................36

10.7 International declarations...................................... 37

10.7.1 Certifications.......................................... 39

For your safety 7

1 For your safety

Before use, please ensure that all users comprehensively read, understand,
and follow the instructions in this document.

Risk levels and alert symbols

Safety warnings, safety alert symbols, and signal words in these instructions
indicate different risk levels:

DANGER

DANGER indicates an imminent hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING

WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

ADVICE

NOTICE explains practices not related to physical injury. No safety alert
symbol appears with this signal word.

Note: Provides additional information to clarify or simplify a procedure.

8 For your safety

Vital precautions

DANGER

Risk of electric shock and fire!

Short-circuits may entail lethal damage!

Before use, read and follow all valid instructions.

Use solely and exclusively as described in the instructions.

Never open. Never insert objects.

For operation, always use a power source as indicated in the instructions.

Always unplug the cable by gripping the plug, not the cable.

Never try to repair. All repair work should be done by a qualified ARRI
Service Center.

Never remove or deactivate any safety equipment (incl. warning stickers
or paintmarked screws).

Always protect from moisture, cold, heat, dirt, vibration, shock, or
aggressive substances.

DANGER

Risk of fire!

Short-circuits and back currents to power supplies/batteries may entail
lethal damage!

Always use original ARRI/cmotion LBUS cables to external power
sources (D-Tap, XLR)! ARRI/cmotion LBUS cables to external power
sources provide a protection circuit to prevent back currents to power
supplies/batteries.

Audience and intended use 9

2 Audience and intended use

ADVICE

The product is solely and exclusively available for commercial costumers
and shall be used by skilled personnel only. Every user should be trained
according to ARRI guidelines. Use the product only for the purpose
described in this document. Always follow the valid instructions and
system requirements for all equipment involved.

The cforce mini RF is solely and exclusively for use on professional camera
setups.

10 Scope of delivery and warranty

3 Scope of delivery and warranty

ADVICE

Product and packaging contain recyclable materials. Always store, ship,
and dispose of according to local regulations. ARRI is not liable for
consequences from inadequate storage, shipment or disposal.

Delivery

On delivery, please check that the package and content are intact. Never
accept a damaged or incomplete delivery. A complete delivery includes:

cforce mini RF Motor Unit with antenna

cforce mini Clamp Console 2 19/15mm

cforce mini gear 0.8/40t

User manual

Original packaging

Warranty

For scope of warranty, please ask your local ARRI Service Partner. ARRI is
not liable for consequences from inadequate shipment, improper use, or third­party products.

Introduction 11

4 Introduction

ARRI and cmotion have partnered up to develop the new intelligent cforce
mini RF motor.

The ARRI cforce mini RF is an intelligent lens motor with integrated white­coded ARRI radio module, eliminating the need for an additional receiver unit
mounted on the camera.

The cforce mini RF can pair with up to three hand units for split focus, iris and
zoom operation and provides full lens data when used with the WCU-4 hand
unit.

The simple user interface includes two soft buttons and a display for setting
the motor axis, triggering motor calibration and selecting one of the 14 radio
channels.

Using the LBUS interface, the system can be expanded with up to two
additional cforce motors while the new CAM connector provides a versatile
interface for power supply and run/stop control for cameras including ARRI,
Red, Sony, Canon and Blackmagic.

12 Introduction

Main features

Integrated white radio module

Supports lens data with WCU-4 hand unit

Daisy-chainable via LBUS

Small and lightweight (~186g/6.56oz incl. gear and antenna)

Compatible with all hand units containing ARRI’s white-coded radio

module

4.1 LBUS

LBUS is a bus standard designed to allow multiple lens motors and control
devices to communicate with each other. Up to three cforce-type motors can
be chain-linked in a row. Each cforce motor has two identical, bi-directional
LBUS interfaces providing power and control signals to the motor.

Motor layout 13

5 Motor layout

1 Antenna

2 Gear

3 Display

4 Upper soft button

5 Lower soft button

6 CAM connector

7 LBUS connector

5.1 Control panel

The cforce mini RF features a user interface to configure the system. The
display shows menu and status information.

14 Motor layout

Soft buttons

Two soft buttons are located below the display. They change their behavior
depending on the screen content.

Menu navigation

Use the soft buttons to enter the setup menus as follows:

Menu Buttons Press button...

Motor axis (FIZ) Upper button short

Motor calibration Upper button long (3 sec)

Flip screen Upper button short (in menu "System info")

Region settings Lower button 6 sec

RF channel Lower button short

System info Lower button long (3 sec)

Note: Main screen turns off after 3 seconds.

5.2 Setup

Motor assignment

Push the upper button short to assign motor to focus, iris or zoom control.
Make sure that the assignment matches the lens axis the motor is attached
to.

Motor calibration

Hold the upper button for three seconds to start the automatic calibration of
the motor.

Press the upper button momentarily to interrupt the calibration process.

Motor layout 15

System info

Hold the lower button for three seconds to view the system info. The System
info shows the current firmware version.

Region settings

RF offers radio settings for different areas (with white-radio module
EMIP400). Make sure that you select the proper area you are operating the
device in. All available region settings comply with Part 15 of the FCC rules.

Push the lower button for 6 seconds to enter the region settings menu. Push
momentarily to toggle through the regions. Select World your specific region
is not listed.

ADVICE

If the master device (camera) is also equipped with a radio module which
is able to set regions, turn off the radio module from the cforce mini RF
motor.

16 Motor layout

Region Setting Country code

Australia AU

Canada CA

China CN

Egypt EG

Europe EU

Hong Kong HK

India IN

Japan JP

New Zealand NZ

Philippines PH

Singapore SG

South Africa ZA

South Korea KR

Taiwan TW

Thailand TH

UAE (United Arab Emirates) AE

USA US

World WORLD

Radio channel

The RF menu lets you switch the radio on and off and select the radio
channel.

Press the lower button momentarily to enter the Radio menu.

Toggle through the channels until you reach the desired Radio channel.

The channel will be automatically set after three seconds.

Motor layout 17

RF (Radio) Note

OFF Radio=OFF / Mo-

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Client Radio = OFF / Mo-

tor controller = ON

tor Controller = OFF

Master vs Client Mode

There always has to be one "master" who handles the wired communication.
In combination with e.g. ARRI Alexa Mini/Mini LF, UMC-4 and AMC-1 please
set radio to “CLIENT”. The motor behaves like a common cforce motor
without a radio module. For all other setups please set radio to “OFF”.

18 Motor layout

5.3 Status LEDs

The status LED of the upper button indicates the current motor status:

LED (Upper button) Status

Solid green Motor is ready and calibrated, no

Green flashing Motor is in passive mode

Green/red flashing No motor master available (idle)

Yellow flashing Motor is currently calibrating

Green/yellow flashing Motor needs to be calibrated (calibra-

Solid yellow Motor is in calibration timeout state

Solid red Motor power supply is below 10V

The status LED of the lower button indicates the current radio status:

LED (Lower button) Status

Solid green Radio ready, client logged on

Yellow/red flashing Selected channel used by another

Solid red Motor initializing / hardware fault

Red flashing Update

warnings

tion request)

master device

Motor preparation 19

6 Motor preparation

Mounting to 19 mm rods

1. Open the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise.

2. Remove the 19/15mm clamp insert (K2.0038503).

3. Attach the clamp console on the rod, with the motor gear engaged to

the lens barrel.

4. Close the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew clockwise.

Mounting to 15 mm rods

1. Open the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise.

2. Attach the 19/15mm clamp insert (K2.0038503) on the 15 mm rod.

3. Attach the clamp console around the clamp insert on the rod, with the

motor gear at the respective lens barrel.

4. Close the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew clockwise.

Note: For high torque applications use CLM-4 Clamp insert

(K2.0002080, not included)

Mounting to Panavision rods

1. Open the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise.

2. Remove the 19/15mm clamp insert.

20 Motor preparation

3. Attach the cforce mini clamp insert 5/8" (K2.0038504, not included) to

the 5/8" rod.

4. Attach the clamp console around the clamp insert on the rod, with the

motor gear at the respective lens barrel.

5. Close the clamp console by turning the thumbscrew clockwise.

Setting up motor

1. Press the lower button for six seconds to select the region you are in.

Repeat this step each time you change a region.

2. Use the upper button to assign the cforce motor to the focus, iris or

zoom control of the control device. Make sure that the assignment

matches the lens axis the motor is attached to.

3. Press the lower button short to select the radio channel.

4. Press the upper button for three seconds to start the automatic

calibration of the respective motor. Alternatively, activate the calibration

process through the control device.

Connecting to hand unit

1. Set the hand unit to the same radio channel as the cforce mini RF (refer

to user manual of the hand unit).

2. Set the motor side, torque and direction (refer to user manual of the

hand unit).

You are now ready to shoot.

Motor preparation 21

CAUTION

Risk of injury! Do not touch motor gear while motor is pow-

ered up!
This device is not intended for use by children. Keep body
parts out of the motion path.

Disconnect the plug if the device is not used for a longer period of time.

IEC 60417-6056 (2011-05) for other moving parts

ADVICE

To prevent the motor from falling down when detaching the motor from
the lens, hold the motor unit with one hand while opening the clamp
console.

22 Compatibility

7 Compatibility

The cforce mini RF is directly compatible with the following ARRI products:

cforce mini lens motor

cforce plus lens motor

UDM-1 (Ultrasonic Distance Measure) via LCUBE CUB-1

Master Grips

Operator Control Unit OCU-1

Wireless Compact Unit WCU-4

Single Axis Unit SXU-1

For compatibility with cmotion products please contact cmotion directly.

7.1 Sample configurations

cforce mini RF lens motors can be used in different applications, within ARRI
systems. The following configurations are samples, making no claim to be
exhaustive:

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

and OCU-1 (Note: cforce mini RF supports OCU-1 override function

with SUP 2.0)

cforce mini RF with SXU-1

Compatibility 23

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

and LCUBE CUB-1 for UDM-1

cforce mini RF with SXU-1 and LCUBE CUB-1 for UDM-1

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

and cmotion cfinder III

cforce mini RF with SXU-1 and cmotion cfinder III

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

and Master Grips

cforce mini RF with WCU-4 and up to two additional cforce motors

and Master Grips (Note: cforce mini RF supports Master Grips

override function with SUP 2.0)

24 Compatibility

ADVICE

When using the cforce mini RF with ALEXA Mini, switch the motor to
client mode in its Radio menu.

Software update 25

8 Software update

The cforce mini RF motor can be updated from external devices through its
LBUS interface.

To keep your cforce mini RF up-to-date, you may need to update its firmware.
Please check ARRI’s website for the latest firmware packages.

The following device provide update functionalities for cforce mini RF:

Wireless Compact Unit WCU-4

•

ALEXA Mini

•

ALEXA Mini LF

•

Please refer to the respective user manuals for further information.

WARNING

Do not switch off power during the update as this may damage the cforce
mini RF!

26 Power disconnection

9 Power disconnection

CAUTION

To disconnect the device safely from the power source, pull the plugs.

Mount and operate the device in an orientation that guarantees easy
accessible plugs.

Appendix 27

10 Appendix

10.1 Antenna connector

The radio connection is established via the antenna mounted to the antenna
connector. The radio module inside could be damaged by electrostatic
discharge via the open connector. We recommend using the originally
supplied antenna only.

10.2 Specifications

Electrical data

Temperature range: -20° to +50°C (-4° to +122°F)

Torque: 0.25 Nm (0.3 Nm peak)

Speed: 240 teeth/s (6 R/s)

Supply voltage: 12V - 34V

Power consumption: max. 2 - 6A

(all with gear m0.8, 40t)

28 Appendix

Radio system

The cforce mini RF motor contains a radio unit that enables wireless lens
control with a white coded radio module. A white ring at the base of the
antenna mount identifies it. It offers 14 channels to choose from:

Channel Frequency

0 2.410 GHz

1 2.415 GHz

2 2.430 GHz

3 2.435 GHz

4 2.450 GHz

5 2.455 GHz

6 2.470 GHz

7 2.475 GHz

8 2.420 GHz

9 2.425 GHz

10 2.440 GHz

11 2.445 GHz

12 2.460 GHz

13 2.465 GHz

White radio and legacy yellow radio cannot be mixed in the same radio
network of camera and hand units. It is possible to use both systems in
parallel within different radio networks.

Appendix 29

ADVICE

ARRIs white radio and cmotions red radio are not compatible.

30 Appendix

10.3 Dimensions and weight

Dimensions

Weight

Weight of cforce mini RF: 153g/5,4oz

(including cforce mini RF motor unit, cforce mini gear m0.8, 40t and cforce
mini clamp console 19/15mm)

Appendix 31

10.4 Pinouts

The cforce mini RF motor contains one LBUS connector (Lemo 4 pin) and
one CAM connector (Lemo 7 pin).

LBUS connector

1 GND

2 CAN-L

3 V-BAT

4 CAN-H

CAM connector

1 CAM lf1 (CAN RS232 RX)

2 CAM lf2 (CAN1-L)

3 GND

4 +V-Bat

5 CAM lf3 (CAN RS232 TX)

6 CAM lf4 (CAN1-H)

7 Cable ID

32 Appendix

10.5 Part numbers

cforce mini RF Basic Set 2

KK.0040345 cforce mini RF Basic Set 2

The cforce mini RF Basic Set 2 includes:

K2.0016802 cforce mini RF motor unit

(including K2.0002007 Outdoor Anten­na (straight)

K2.0036610 cforce mini Clamp Console 2 19/15mm

K2.0003753 cforce mini gear m0.8, 40t

(including K2.0038503 cforce mini
Clamp Insert 2 15mm)

Appendix 33

ADVICE

The cforce mini RF Basic Set does not include any LBUS or CAM cables.
LBUS cables are available in various lengths and need to be ordered
separately.

Gears for cforce mini and cforce mini RF

K2.0006363 cforce mini gear m0.6, 56t

K2.0006365 cforce mini gear m0.5, 64t

K2.0006367 cforce mini gear m0.4/64p, 80t

K2.0006370 cforce mini gear 48p, 60t

(Fujinon ENG focus/ zoom)

(Canon ENG focus/ zoom)

(Pan. iris, Fujinon ENG iris, Canon
ENG iris)

(Panavision zoom)

34 Appendix

K2.0006372 cforce mini gear m0.8, 40t, 25mm

Part numbers of compatible antennas

Radiall/Larsen K2.0002007 Dipole / Reverse SMA

Wanshih 50.0013627 Dipole / Reverse SMA

Proant K2.0001996 Dipole / Reverse SMA

Nearson O5.20112.0 Dipole / Reverse SMA

Appendix 35

Cables and Accessories

The following accessories are compatible with the cforce mini RF:

K2.0015754 Cable CAM (7p) - RS

K2.0015755 Cable CAM (7p) - EXT (16p)

K2.0015756 Cable CAM (7p) - EXT (6p)

K2.0015757 Cable CAM (7p) - LANC/D-Tap

K2.0015758 Cable CAM (7p) - RED CTRL/D-Tap

K2.0015759 Cable CAM (7p) - ENG (12p)

K2.0015760 Cable CAM (7p) - LBUS

K2.0018814 Cable CAM (7p) - Sony F5/55 CTRL/D-Tap

K2.0018813 Cable CAM (7p) - D-Tap

K2.0001996 Swivel antenna for SMC-1 and EMC-1 Motor Con-

K2.0007318 Cable LCS (5p) - LBUS

trollers

36 Appendix

10.6 Service contacts

Munich, Germany

Arnold & Richter Cine Technik
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 9:00 - 17:00 (CET)

London, Great Britain

ARRI CT Limited
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Thu. 9:00 - 17:30
Fr. 9:00 - 17:00 (GMT)

Burbank, USA

ARRI Inc. West Coast
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 8:15 - 17:00 (PST)

Mississauga, Canada

ARRI Canada Limited
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 8:30 - 17:00 (EDT)

Beijing, China

ARRI China Co. Limited
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 9:00 - 18:00 (CST)

Vienna, Austria

ARRI Cine + Video Geräte Ges.m.b.H.
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 9:00 - 17:00 (CET)

Milan, Italy

ARRI Italia S.r.l.
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 9:00 - 18:00 (CET)

New York, USA

ARRI Inc. East Coast
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 8:00 - 17:30 (EST)

Hong Kong, China

ARRI Asia Limited
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 10:00 - 18:30 (HKT)

Sydney, Australia

ARRI Australia Pty Ltd
[phone]
[e-mail]
Business hours:
Mo. - Fr. 8:00 - 18:00 (AEST)

Appendix 37

10.7 International declarations

EU-Declaration of Conformity

The designated product conforms with the specifications of the following
European directives:

Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and the Council

of 16 April 2014 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member

States relating to the making available on the market of radio

equipment and repealing Directive - OJ L 153, 22.5.2014, S. 62–

106.

Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and the Council

of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous

substances in electrical and electronic equipment - OJ L 174,

1.7.2011, S. 88–110.

The compliance with the requirements of the European Directives was proved
by the application of the following standards:

EN 62368-1:2014 + AC:2015-05 + AC:2015-11

EN 301 489-1 V2.1.1; EN 301 489-17 V3.1.1

EN 300 328 V2.1.1

EN 50581:2012

To evaluate the respective information we used:

http://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/european-standards/harmonised­standards/index_en.htm

38 Appendix

FCC Class A Statement

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Industry Canada Compliance Statement

Complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class A specifications. Cet appareil
numérique de la Classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Cet appareil est
conforme à CNR-210 d' Industrie Canada. This Class A device meets all the
requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la Classe A respecte toutes les exigences du
Réglement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Japan MIC Statement

Complies with Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications notification
Article 88, Annex 43.

Radio Module

The cforce mini RF motor contains the following radio module:

FCC ID: Y7N-EMIP400

IC ID: 9482A-EMIP400

CMIT ID: 2017DJ7863C(M)

Appendix 39

MIC ID: 020-180030

NCC: CCAH18LP0660T0

KC: R-CRM-ARg-EMIP400

EMIP400s: ETA:1385/2018/ERLO

10.7.1 Certifications