ARRI expands its Electronic Control System with the cforce MAX lens motor, combining higher operating speed, a more compact form factor, and seamless integration with the Hi-5 ecosystem for demanding cinema productions.
In contemporary cinematography, precise wireless lens control has become an essential component of professional camera operation. As productions increasingly employ large-format sensors, complex camera movement systems, and a diverse range of cinema optics, focus control equipment must deliver consistent performance across a wide variety of shooting environments.
To address these evolving production requirements, ARRI has introduced the cforce MAX, a new lens motor designed for the company’s Electronic Control System (ECS) and Hi-5 wireless hand unit ecosystem. Positioned as the successor to the cforce plus motor, the cforce MAX offers increased operating speed, a reduced physical footprint, and enhanced usability features while maintaining compatibility with existing ARRI ECS workflows.
Key Features of the ARRI cforce MAX
1. New Brushless Motor Design
At the heart of the cforce MAX is a newly developed brushless motor architecture. Brushless motor technology is widely used in professional motion-control applications due to its efficiency, durability, and reliability under demanding production conditions.
ARRI designed the cforce MAX to provide the performance required for modern cinema lenses, including large zoom lenses, specialty optics, and vintage lens systems that may present higher mechanical resistance during operation.
2. Increased Operating Speed
One of the most significant upgrades is the motor’s speed capability. According to ARRI, the cforce MAX can achieve speeds of up to 400 teeth per second, representing approximately twice the speed of the previous cforce plus motor.
This increase in responsiveness is particularly valuable in fast-paced production environments where rapid focus, iris, or zoom adjustments may be required.
3. Smaller and Lighter Construction
ARRI states that the cforce MAX is approximately 15% smaller and lighter than the cforce plus. The reduced size helps simplify lens motor placement on crowded camera builds, particularly when working with handheld rigs, stabilized camera systems, remote heads, or compact production configurations.
The more compact housing also contributes to easier integration when multiple motors are mounted on a single lens.
4. Integrated Touchscreen Interface
A notable addition to the cforce MAX is its built-in touchscreen interface. This display provides direct access to motor settings, status information, and configuration controls without requiring separate setup devices.
Combined with the motor’s haptic button controls, the interface streamlines on-set operation and simplifies adjustments for camera assistants.
5. Full ECS and LBUS Integration
The cforce MAX integrates directly into ARRI’s Electronic Control System through standard LBUS connectivity. Dual LBUS ports support daisy-chaining and flexible system configuration across a variety of camera and lens-control setups.
The motor can be used alongside ARRI devices such as the Hi-5 hand unit, RIA-1 Radio Interface Adapter, and compatible ARRI camera systems including the ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF.
Benefits for Professional Camera Crews
Improved Responsiveness for Lens Control
The increased operating speed allows the cforce MAX to respond quickly to lens-control commands, supporting focus pullers working in dynamic production environments.
Support for a Wide Range of Lens Types
The motor is designed to accommodate everything from modern cinema primes and zooms to specialty and vintage optics, making it suitable for a broad range of productions.
Simplified Camera Builds
Its smaller dimensions provide greater flexibility when configuring camera rigs for handheld, gimbal, Steadicam, remote-head, or studio applications.
Streamlined On-Set Workflow
The integrated touchscreen and direct ECS compatibility reduce setup complexity and allow camera departments to manage motor settings more efficiently.
Technical Q&A
Does the cforce MAX require a separate motor controller?
Not necessarily. Depending on the configuration, the cforce MAX can connect directly to compatible ARRI ECS devices through LBUS, including cameras with integrated ECS functionality or the RIA-1 Radio Interface Adapter.
Is the cforce MAX compatible with non-ARRI camera systems?
Yes. While designed as part of the ARRI Electronic Control System, the motor can be incorporated into productions using other camera platforms when paired with the appropriate ARRI ECS control infrastructure and cabling.
What does “400 teeth per second” mean?
This specification refers to the maximum rotational speed of the motor’s drive gear. ARRI states that the cforce MAX can achieve speeds of up to 400 teeth per second, providing faster lens response than the previous cforce plus motor.
What types of productions benefit most from the cforce MAX?
The motor is intended for professional film, television, commercial, and virtual production environments where reliable wireless lens control and integration within the ARRI ECS ecosystem are important workflow considerations.
Conclusion
With the introduction of the cforce MAX, ARRI continues to expand the capabilities of its Electronic Control System for modern cinema production. By combining a new brushless motor design, operating speeds of up to 400 teeth per second, a form factor that is 15% smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and an integrated touchscreen interface, the cforce MAX delivers meaningful workflow improvements for camera departments working across a wide range of production environments.
For cinematographers, focus pullers, and camera assistants already invested in the ARRI ECS ecosystem, the cforce MAX represents a significant update to ARRI’s wireless lens-control platform, offering greater responsiveness and flexibility while maintaining compatibility with established workflows.
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