A new motor control product from Australian projection screen manufacturer Screen Technics is redefining the motorised blind industry.

Integrating the control of motorised blinds into an AV system has generally been an irritating task, gracelessly left to the custom installer.

However, Screen Technics, the largest Australian manufacturer of projection screens and lifters, has introduced a suite of control devices that makes integrating motorised blinds so much easier.

Gone are the days when installers had to harness an RF signal, which is the industry’s standard approach. Rather, Screen Technics has developed a solution that adopts group-linked IR technology for blind motors, a system first developed for its projection screens and AV lifters about 18 months before.

“We have been working closely with AV installers for many years and have seen a shift towards the AV integrator regarding the control of blinds,” says Screen Technics general manager David Manton.

“Such applications are now largely the responsibility of the AV installer to integrate and provide a complete control solution.

“Most installers have no direct wholesale supplier link to the blind industry, so they cannot access product and are left to fend for themselves technically, with no support.”

Screen Technics has also released an entire range of roller-blind systems developed for the AV channel so it can aim for this potentially lucrative income stream itself.

The initiative has been supported by Mermet Intelligent Fabrics, one of the most highly regarded commercial and domestic fabric houses in the world.

“Mermet has been key in its support of this project, through access to its extensive sample catalogue system for Screen Technics clients, with ongoing technical training,” David says.

The adoption of IR control for motorised blinds has resulted in a new category of blind control that installers can more easily integrate into a full AV system, offering a complete solution to clients.

The roller-blind product launch coincides with the release of a six-device suite of controllers called iConnect, which comprises two stand-alone motor controllers, one for 240V four-core tubular motors and the other for 24V actuator-style motors.

The iConnect Motor Controllers, both of which are IR and dry-contact controllable, can be daisy-chained up to nine iConnect devices for group control.

Perhaps more exciting is the iReply device for TCP/IP (Ethernet), RS232, RS485 and USB control, being an interface module that can control up to eight iConnect modules via these protocols, for master control of projector screens, lifters and blinds.

This system offers real-time operational feedback, making it ideal for large multi-screen environments such as universities. The control devices interface to a building management system and will let the central server know if a screen has been left down or is malfunctioning.

The range is completed with a pair of iSense trigger devices, available in 240V and 5-24V models for current sense switching off primary AV equipment for linked operation.

“Remember, AV plus automation plus blinds equals increased revenue for the AV professional,” David says.

It’s something well worth considering in these challenging economic times.