PhotoRobot Frame Turntable Assembly & User Guide

This technical documentation provides user information and instructions on the installation, connection, basic testing, and operation of the PhotoRobot Frame. It is intended to support PhotoRobot customers during self-installation of their device as well as in the future onboarding of production line operators. 

Important: The first installation of a PhotoRobot device must always be carried out by a PhotoRobot approved authority. Authorities authorized to install PhotoRobot include an approved distributor, or a representative of the manufacturer itself.

Note: Always refer to PhotoRobot Safety Information & Instructions in addition to the manual PhotoRobot provides specifically with your device.

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Frame Turntable Installation & First Use

Congratulations on purchasing your PhotoRobot device! The PhotoRobot Frame represents decades of first-hand experience and innovation in automated product photography. Both ingenious and stylish, our team has designed PhotoRobot hardware and software with your business as a top priority. Each solution is tailorable to answer unique needs but also to provide benefits to the entire ecosystem of ready-made solutions supporting PhotoRobot clients. This means your business can rest assured there is always an efficient answer to any of your in-house production requirements. 

Welcome to PhotoRobot. The following information describes the functional operation of the technology, including instructions for self-assembly and first use by machine operators.

If experiencing issues, refer to PhotoRobot Troubleshooting for solutions to common problems relating to hardware installation, cameras, robots, lights, editing, and post production. 

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1. Product Description - The PhotoRobot Frame

The PhotoRobot Frame is an all-in-one device combining a motorized turntable and robot camera arm. It features a design to automate the capture of 360 spin image and still images for 3D modeling. Both the camera and background mount to opposite ends of the turntable. The camera and background move in sync with the dual axis 360-degree rotation of the turntable. Meanwhile, the camera remains perfectly opposite the background. It is possible for the camera to photograph from below the glass plate of the turntable or above as well. This allows for automated photography of all sides, bottom, and top views of objects. The robot arm can move from negative 60 to positive 90 degrees.

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Key components of the PhotoRobot Frame include:

• Optical glass plate with a 130 cm diameter
• Dual axis 360-degree rotational dynamics
• Load capacity of 20 kg
• Integrated robot arm and diffusion background 
• Automatic calibration at the touch of a button
• Easy setup in any studio, warehouse, or production hall

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1.1. Robot Overview - Frame Turntable

The Frame robot consists of three main components: the Control Unit, the machine body, and the swinging arm. 

• The Control Unit is an integral part of the device for power and control.
• The machine body of the device supports the motorized turntable with the glass plate. Meanwhile, the base of the machine body houses the control unit, and has castor wheels for movement. 
• The swinging arm is installed around the turntable to mount the robot arm and diffusion background always opposite each other. At the same time, the swinging arm is able to move from negative 60 degrees below the glass plate to positive 90 degrees above it.

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2. Robot Assembly

2.1. Unpackaging and Installation Preparation

2.1.1. If the Frame robot has been delivered in a crate, first remove the top cover of the crate. Then, remove the backside cover.

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• ‍Note: If the robot was delivered in another type of container, follow the specific unpackaging instructions related to your delivery.

‍2.1.2. Proceed by removing all parts around the Frame and the glass plate out of the crate.

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2.1.3. Next, locate and unscrew two nuts from each of the four black bases.

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2.1.4. Use lifting slings with a load capacity of 400 kilograms, and thread the slings through the handles on the top part of the robot skeleton. Then, use any lifting device such as a forklift or hand crane to lift the robot. 

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2.1.5. Next, unscrew the four black bases from the bottom side of the machine legs, and remove each.

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2.1.6. Find four wheels among the accessories delivered in the crate. Then, fasten the wheels into the position of the previously removed four black bases.

2.1.7. Check that the wheels are securely attached. Movement of the robot on wheels will now be possible.

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2.1.8. Take into account the front side and back side of the robot. The back side has a power switch, and an electrical socket for a power cord.

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2.1.9. Locate the swinging arm in the crate. The swinging arm will be disassembled on delivery.  

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a) Assembled:

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b) Disassembled:

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• Note: Some deliveries also include a disassembled white background. In that case, refer to the later section Configuration of the Background Subassembly (2.9.).

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2.2. Connecting the Frame to the Network

After installing the wheels onto the Frame device, ensure that the power switch on the robot is in the Off position. Next, plug the power cord into the electrical socket. Then, use the networking kit delivered with the robot, and connect at least the internet, the computer, and the PhotoRobot Frame. The connection scheme should be as in the following infographic.

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2.3. Powering on the device

2.3.1. After connecting the device to the internet and computer, turn on the power of the router. Then, wait approximately 2 minutes for the router to boot up and begin running. 

2.3.2. After the router is running, power on the computer, and then power on the Frame robot as the last step.

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2.4. Find PhotoRobot’s IP Address on LAN

2.4.1. Next, find PhotoRobot’s LAN IP address using one of the following supporting applications to search the network for PhotoRobot. Note: Application downloads to search for PhotoRobot on the network are also available via PhotoRobot Account Downloads.

• Windows - frfind.exe for Windows
• Mac OS X - frfind for macOS
• Android - find PhotoRobot Locator in Google Play
• iPhone, iPad - find PhotoRobot Locator on iTunes

2.4.2. Start the application to search the network for PhotoRobot. If a PhotoRobot device is found, copy its IP address. Then, paste PhotoRobot’s IP address into any web browser open on the local computer. This will open the Service GUI.

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2.5. Power on the Motor and Move the Robot Arm 

2.5.1. In the Service GUI, use the Motor ON button to power on the motor.

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2.5.2. After powering on the motor, adjust the Arm to the position of zero degrees.

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2.6. Mount Front Part of the Swinging Arm

2.6.1. The next step involves mounting the front part of the swinging arm. The front part of the swinging arm is highlighted in orange in the following diagram.

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2.6.2. Slide both sides of the front part of the arm into 6 special silver nuts. Note: There are 2 rows of 3 nuts on each side of the swinging arm. 

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2.6.3. Connect both sides of the arm so that they become level with the central axis.

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2.6.4. Tighten the six screws into the nuts connecting the front part of the arm with the central axis.

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2.6.5. Next, screw the connecting parts of the arm tightly onto both sides of the Frame robot.

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2.7. Mount White Cover & Prepare Power Cables

2.7.1. When the front part of the arm is securely installed, mount the white cover onto both sides of the robot.

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2.7.2. Next, find 4 power cables that are 5 meters in length each to power the lights.

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2.7.3. Thread one cable through the front-left side of the swinging arm.

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2.7.4. Locate the sheet metal cover, and place it over the cable. Then, fasten 3 screws into the top side, and 3 screws into the bottom side.

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2.7.5. Gently straighten out the cable before continuing onto threading the next cable through the machine frame.

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2.7.6. Take the next power cable that is also 5 meters in length, and thread it through the rear-left side of the swing arm. Follow the same steps as when installing the first cable through the front-left side of the device.

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Note: For newer Frame models, there are 2 holes for the background flash lights power cables. Find these on the left and right sides in the sheet metal. The cables for these two areas are only 3 meters long.

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2.7.7. Now, repeat the previous assembly instructions to assemble the right side of the swinging arm. The only difference is that the front-right side of the swing arm includes two cables with connectors. These support a shutter cable with a coupler, and a laser power cable.

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• Note: The counterparts of these connectors are fastened near to the central axle of the swinging arm. Connect each, and place them alongside the power cable.

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2.8. Mount Swinging Arm Front Lights Holders

2.8.1. After assembling the swinging arm, prepare to mount 2 front lights holders onto the front part of the swinging arm.

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2.8.2. First, insert all 4 special support pegs into the front part of the swinging arm.

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2.8.3. Next, mount both of the flash lights holders. 

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2.9. Configuration of the Background Subassembly

2.9.1. If the background arrived disassembled on delivery, prepare the background subassembly. Otherwise, skip ahead to the steps in section 2.10 on Background Connection to the Swinging Arm.

2.9.2. To prepare the background subassembly, thread the rubber reinforcement into the tunnels sewn into the background. 

‍2.9.3. Next, shorten the rubber reinforcements in the corners of the background as in the following image.

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2.9.4. Thread the curved “X”-shape profile parts into the sides of the background. Pay careful attention to the orientation of the background. Note that the background is not square; it is rectangular.

‍2.9.5. Next, thread one of the two straight crossbars into the background to create the “U”-shape profile parts as in the bottom part of the following image. Insert the 5 pieces of threaded pegs in the bottom edge of the “X”-shape profile part to later fix to the black background.

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2.9.6. Mount the coupling in the 2 bottom corners, and then connect the profile parts.

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2.9.7. Insert 5 threaded connectors into both sides of the curved profile parts.

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2.9.8. Mount the second straight profile part and connect the corners, repeating the previous steps. 

‍2.9.10. Next, install the side brackets by positioning them as shown in the template (highlighted in blue), and tighten the brackets into place. Then, place the completely constructed piece onto the rear boom of the machine, and use the special pegs to fasten the piece into position.

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2.9.11. The special pegs (if part of your assembly) can be inserted into the rear boom without any disassembly of other parts.

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2.10. Background Connection to Swinging Arm

2.10.1. To connect the background to the swinging arm, start by fastening the background into position on the back part of the swinging arm.

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2.10.2. Next, mount the black curtain between the background and the bottom part of the robot. To do this, refer to the following detailed images of the device.

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a) Device overview:

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b) Device bottom in detail:

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c) Device bottom curtain line:

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d) Device upper part:

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e) Device upper part curtain line:

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2.11. Glass Plate Attachment

To attach the glass plate of the Frame’s motorized turntable, place the glass plate onto the robot with the notch at the edge of the plate facing downwards. Note that the notch must face down for the functional operation of the device.

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2.12. Camera Connection via Shutter Cable

For camera connection, there is a shutter cable to connect to the camera. Use the proper shutter cable connector, which is delivered in a plastic bag containing the Canon jack and CN3 connectors plus one coupler.

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2.13. Softbox Assembly

Finally, assemble the softboxes, fasten them onto flash lights, and mount all lights onto the frame of the device.

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3. PhotoRobot Frame First-Time Device Use

For the functional operation of PhotoRobot, the device must be connected to the same network as the computer operating it. 

Important: Refer to PhotoRobot First Use & Basic Testing for the complete documentation on connecting PhotoRobot to a network for the first time and for subsequent installations.

In general, the following requirements exist.

• The Control Unit must be connected to the local network.
• A computer must run service GUI or the operator’s software called _Controls.
• The computer must connect over the same network as the Control Unit.
• There must be a functional internet connection on the network.

Additionally, the electricity distribution system parameters must be compliant (e.g. the voltage and frequency). To check compliance of the electricity distribution system, use the RJ45 connector on the back of the Control Unit. The network configuration requirements are as follows.

• A DHCP server in the network is mandatory.
• TCP ports 7777, 7778 communication must be allowed.
• UDP broadcasts on port 6666 must be allowed.
• Internet connection is mandatory.
• *.photorobot.com access must be allowed.
• as-unirobot.azurewebsites.net access must be allowed.
• Refer to PhotoRobot Networking Prerequisites & Configuration to confirm proper setup and for troubleshooting as necessary. 
• Connect the power plug to the power socket.

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3.1. Basic Testing After Assembly

To test the full operational functionality of the PhotoRobot Frame after assembly and connection to the network, input PhotoRobot’s IP address in URL format into any browser open on the local computer. This will open the Service GUI.

Note: Use the IP address obtained from the steps in the section Finding PhotoRobot’s IP Address on LAN (2.4.) of this document. 

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3.2. Power the Device On

3.2.1. In the Service GUI, turn on the motor using the green power button Motor ON.

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3.2.2. Next, adjust the angle of the Robot Arm to any desired angle using the Service GUI interface.

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• Turn on the engines (arrow 1), and try to operate any movable part of the robot (arrow 2). 
• If the robot moves based on your instructions, your PhotoRobot device is ready for regular operation.

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4. PhotoRobot _Controls App Software

Control of the Frame robotic workstation is via PhotoRobot _Controls App software. The _Controls App software is available for download in your PhotoRobot Account. It is not part of the machine delivery; it is purchased separately from the machine.

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‍Note: For instructions on the installation & use of PhotoRobot Controls App, reference the PhotoRobot Getting Started User Manual.

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5. Information Labels

5.1. Symbols Overview

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5.2. Machine and Component Labels

For labels of specific machines and components, refer to the document PhotoRobot Safety Information and Instructions in the section Information Labels (3.1.).

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