NEWS: Cantilevered Coaster Systems partners with Setpoint

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2010/11/prweb4787134.htm

 

Cantilevered Coaster Systems (CCS) announced an alliance with Setpoint Inc. to commercialize the Cantilevered Roller Coaster system through the introduction of a small to medium-size ride package. This initial ride system will have a capacity of 1000 guests/hour utilizing two-place or four-place ride vehicles, and will be based on one of two possible track configurations.

 

With the multi-axis accelerations available through the Cantilevered mechanism, CCS and Setpoint believe that a dynamic and novel coaster ride can be produced without having to operate at high speeds, and thus lend itself for use in family oriented rides while still maintaining an exciting “edge.” The anticipated cost of the system package will be priced within a range of $4-$6 million. CCS and Setpoint feel that through the initial development of a more “restrained” ride, larger and faster systems can be more easily evolved.

 

The first of the two track layouts under consideration is a semi-flat, constant-drive configuration, cresting a lift-hill at one or more points allowing for higher speed coasting segments, and lending itself to themed environment, dark-ride/coaster style attractions. The second layout is a “wild mouse” style configuration employing a single lift hill for higher speeds, and being more of a classic iron-ride product with a tighter track layout doubling back on itself several times. Utilizing this layout in conjunction with the CRC’s vertical and lateral ranges of motion, various thrilling and perilous head and side-knocker “close calls” will be created.

 

Cantilevered Coaster Systems is the home of the Cantilevered Roller Coaster (CRC) created by John Hogg. The CRC is a dual-track, dual-chassis flying coaster conceived as a way to get the ride vehicle up and away from the track system, and also as a simpler and less costly alternative to the highly complex and expensive tracked-simulator ride systems currently employed in some the best attractions in the amusements world.

 

Setpoint Inc. is a US-based engineering, technology and fabrication firm specializing in showcase solutions for the amusement park industry. Setpoint’s expertise is in mechanical, electrical, and structural design and analysis. Setpoint also fabricates and commissions complete ride and show systems. Setpoint has over 150 years of amusement ride experience and has directly participated in over 60 major amusement industry projects.

The Cantilevered Roller Coaster's two-track system allows it to move up and down, pitch fore and aft, as well as yaw side to side.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

It looks really strange, but if it ever got built, I'd take a spin.

[The_Mad_Hatter]

Can you say Tron? I'm totally convinced this will be used on the planned Tron attraction at Disneyland. I remember reading about this a few years back. Cool to see it pop up again.

[Fooz]

This seems like a funny concept. It's hard to imagine what maneuvers it could perform that a single track design couldn't (especially when it seems like a tall train running on the bottom track, while the top track provides support/stability only), But I'm sure that my understanding of the ride is poor. That said, There are probably great things the ride could do with perception/ where the rider expects the car to be in relation to the track.

[kenshinmac]

Can anyone give me some idea of how this could move the car both forwards and backwards? I just don't see how it is possible if it is just running on two tracks unless there is some degree of speed control on the two sets of bogies. This just seems to be really complicated and I just don't see how partnering with Setpoint who have built very few rides themselves will get this built.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

^The pitch would likely be achieved using small hills on the lower track.

[kenshinmac]

^The pitch would likely be achieved using small hills on the lower track.

Maybe I am missing something simple but the images I have seen I can't see how it could move forwards and backwards. All that I have seen suggests that the movement of the ride car is controlled strictly by the distance from the second track. That and the way that it appears to control the movement of the ride car has me confused as to how it is possible for the ride to move forwards and back.

[The_Mad_Hatter]

Basically the ride rests on a floor with a slit, and the wheels touch the floor like a dark ride. A lengthy pole connects to a track many feet beneath the visible spectrum which can move up and down, thus giving the appearance of the ride car lifting off the "ground."

[Mozart67]

that's fascinating! (and probably vomitous, oh well) and yeah, definitely Tron. encapsulate that in a Robotron: 2084 themed attraction (insert favorite sci-fi game thing here) and that would be epic. Thanks for sharing!

[BeemerBoy]

It's time this happened:

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Here is a video from the company website: www.cantileveredcoaster.com, that shows how the ride will actually run.

 

 

The idea is cool, but I think it is better suited as a dark ride system that moves under its own power. The idea that this thing will be able to navigate the course using gravity doesn't seem to work. That idea is also supported by the video they have (above). It shows it going through mock show scenes and though there are hills and such, its nothing like we'd expect for a typical coaster layout.

[dragonskeep]

Yes, that could be a cool dark ride system. Maybe this is Disney's plan B after missing out on the Kuka Arm. To get one to work and be rideable is going to require someone who is good at math. Seems like it would be very difficult to get right. However I have a feeling this could be real cool especially if Disney gets a hold of it.

[ntweisen]

I was actually the one who made the cantilevered coaster video. I am working on a longer track model. Here is the progress thus far:

 

As a dark ride, I think the idea is the the CRC would be a cheaper version of Disney's Indiana Jones/Dinosaur style rides.

[coasterlover420]

I remember seeing a patent for this type of coaster. It seems really interesting. I hope it goes somewhere, this concept could actually prove pretty fun!

[ntweisen]

Here are some new pics of the cantilevered coaster model I am working on. You can see the full track layout for this test with one of the "side knocker" effects.

Overview of layout

[DBru]

Are the turns going to be banked?

[COASTER FREAK 11]

If the ride gets built, and the turns are not banked, they will likely run into the same stress issues that the Arrow Suspended coasters did before they were banked.

[DBru]

That's what I was thinking, Chris.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Along with that, off the top of my head, I can think of several other issues with the overall design of the ride. They could have already been worked out (in which case, id love to see how they did) but I still think this ride system is better suited as a slow-med speed dark ride. As a coaster, I see a lot of issues.

[Coaster Cow]

^I agree. The coaster idea, although certainly more marketable and easier to sell without a huge catalog, is innovative but could end up rough. The double track system is actually incredibly similar to X, which is no surprise, as Arrow was modifying their classic "Haunted Mansion" track system for a roller coaster. In order to really best accentuate the novelty of near-misses and whatnot, a track with a variable speed electric charge would work better, allowing for a dark-ride experience with faster sections to highlight the awesome technology behind it. Anything faster and you risk X-style jerkiness and turbulence only laterally, which would be exponentially worse.

[ntweisen]

In reality, yes, the turns would be banked. For simulation purposes, it is much trickier to make banked turns so due to time constraints (and laziness I guess) I left them un-banked. Also, the speed of the vehicle in my simulations is not representative of what the actual ride experience would be like. This was just a quick test to make sure the model actually worked. We are working on putting together a higher quality, better representative video. Stay tuned...

[Skramp]

Looks interesting, but you are basically building 2 coasters 90 degrees from each other. I can't imagine how expensive that will be and that will definitely be a very hard seling point. I mean, will a park spend 20 mil on a B&M or 30 mil on an unproven concept that may become the Bat V2? It really does look cool and interesting, but I think the overall costs are going to be very prohibitive to any park.

[ntweisen]

Setpoint claims they can build a prototype for 6 million. I think this might be a bit optimistic but it also depends on the scale of the ride. The first one would more than likely by a smaller, shorter ride.

[ntweisen]

Check out my latest video of the cantilevered roller coaster concept model:

 

Edited January 27, 2011 by jedimaster1227