After the FORTE, a profile with a 1000 W LED engine, launched in 2021 and which we tested in our columns, Robe is launching the iFORTE, identical in power, optics, and functions, but IP65 rated to face the constraints of open-air events.
In this test, we will not go back over the functions identical to those of the FORTE (see the bench test here), we will rather detail the technical aspects that characterize this new IP65 version, and report on the differences that we have been able to observe. between the two fixtures.
FORTE and iFORTE at work…
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Fixtures in the IP 65 version are often heavier, more difficult to maintain, and have their own characteristics, as the mechanical designs are specially designed to fit perfectly into the “waterproof fixture” concept.
ROBE wanted its iFORTE to be able to overcome these drawbacks, and for its fixture to be absolutely similar to the “non-IP” version. In this sense, even physically it is quite successful. Externally the iFORTE is very very close to the FORTE, a few millimeters here and there do not change its general appearance. If you don’t look at them under a microscope, you are unable to tell them apart. When it comes to the weight, there too we are very close with only 2.5 kg of extra weight putting it at 42.5 kg.
Overall maintenance was carefully studied
A waterproof fixture requires meticulousness in the event of any intervention or repair (a simple change of gobo for example). When the fixture is reassembled, it must be ensured that it is still perfectly sealed, at the risk of having problems or malfunctions in the short or medium term. The iFORTE has an internal system allowing it to perform internal pressure self-tests using certain onboard sensors, and to identify any problem of air leakage.
One of the challenges with the sealing of a fixture of this type is the balance between the air pressures between the exterior and the interior of the device. The pressure imbalance presents a risk of internal condensation, the humidity of which is visible on the optics of course, but the effects of which will, one day in the future, also be problematic for the internal mechanical and electronic elements.
The iFORTE uses pressure balancing valves which allow to constantly adjust the internal pressure of the fixture. The regulation needs to be continuous because the pressure will be modified under the effect of the rise in internal temperature when the LEDs are activated.
For information, when the fixture heats up with the full power of the LEDs, approximately 7 liters of air are extracted from the fixture to maintain the correct pressure balance. On the other hand, when it is turned off, 7 liters of air will enter, possibly loaded with humidity…
Robe’s other trick is to combine these valves with moisture-filtering capsules to guarantee the intake of almost dry air. To give an example, the ambient air outdoors in the middle of summer is loaded with 50 to 60% humidity. After filtering through the capsules, the rate is reduced to between 3 and 5%. Even in the event of a pressure variation, there is no condensation in the device.
The iFORTE is also intended to be used in winter, it also has a whole protection device against the cold. This is still organized around sensor systems, in this case, temperature, and whose information will allow the software to react. The device will be able to operate normally down to -10° Celsius. Below this temperature (the ball bearings are frozen tight, Démontage / construction the oils are congealed, etc.) the fixture will launch sequences allowing it to raise its internal temperature.
Initially, especially in its “standby” phase, it will use its motors as resistors. Electrical current will pass through the motors, without making them move, until the temperature rises to zero degrees. At zero degrees, the fixture will move the motors a little bit to check that nothing is stuck and that nothing is blocked, and if all goes well, the software launches a small reset of the fixture which becomes operational again.
For information, at ROBE, the projectors no longer reset pan/tilt. The various sensor technologies used allow the head to position itself where it is needed. Gone are the long seconds where the fixture did its complete little turn in all directions to end up positioning itself correctly via DMX. All products in the ROBE range will now benefit from this system and will be able to fit in cramped places allowing for only limited movement.
The iFORTE can receive power permanently (and this is essential for prolonged outdoor use), and only consumes 20 W in “standby” mode. Only certain internal regulation sequences such as those explained above for temperature problems can occasionally cause the fixture to consume a little more, but their permanent connection does not lead to costly consumption.
The iFORTE however has a limit compared to the FORTE. The manual tells us that for outdoor use, it cannot be mounted sideways. Flat on the ground or hung from a truss or pipe, no worries, but not on its side.
Dismantling / construction
Dismantled fixture.
Most of the casings forming the outer shell of the iFORTE use a particular material. It is an alloy largely made from magnesium. This is one of the reasons why this IP65 fixture is barely heavier than its “standard” version.
The sealed areas of the fixture are the head, the center of the yoke, and part of the base unit. The sides of the yoke are not included. Anything in there is potentially exposed to moisture or pressure differences without any issue.
Let’s be clear, it’s not open everywhere either, but if a few drops get in occasionally, there won’t be any problems.
In one of the sides of the yoke, there is the classic pan/tilt device with belts and tensioners to ensure the elevation and azimuth movement of the head, while in the other, there is a large plastic sheath containing the wiring that goes from the base to the head, thus completely protected, surrounded by two long transparent capsules filled with a sort of small orange balls.
The side with the filter capsules and the balancing valve
These two capsules, connected by a network of pipes, filter the humidity of the air at the head inlet/outlet. The left capsule has a valve directly above used to balance the pressure inside the head.
The filter material is based on moisture-absorbing silica gel. We were shown how the small “balls” can look after a certain period of use. The color goes from orange to brown, and it can go all the way to black when they are heavily saturated with water.
ROBE announces that for regular use, the replacement of cartridges should be considered at a frequency of approximately one year. This still leaves a lot of leeways to work comfortably with the iFORTE.
To open the head, all you have to do is remove the 2 surrounding half-covers held in place by 6 screws on each side. Everything inside is more or less like the FORTE, except for a small card attached to one side near one of the sides of the yoke. This is the environmental monitoring map. Lined with sensors, it serves as an interface for the permanent analysis of the state of the atmospheric conditions inside the fixture.
Once the LED module has been removed, there remains the collimating optics that form an entire unit with the device.
The front lens is coated with an oleophobic and hydrophobic treatment which prevents it as much as possible from having droplets of any fluids (such as rainwater for example …) which could create harmful deposits in the light output.
As for the FORTE, the iFORTE has an easily interchangeable LED engine (the whole series whose name ends with “TE”: “Transferable Engine” benefits from it) and has the same electrical and optical characteristics. It is simply a specific module with its method of cooling and the need for waterproof fixtures. The materials are different, more screws, a joint system, and a waterproof connector that can be plugged directly into the fixture.
Disassembled, rear view with the source and its ventilation system.
The cooling of the light source is done by 6 large fans, 3 which blow and 3 which suck in the air, around the radiators and heat pipes connected to the LED engine in a very classic way.
These fans are waterproof and therefore their compartment is not subject to a rain restriction. (Rain should even be able to improve the quality of the cooling…)
In the head, we also find on each side, two other small capsules, flat and perforated, containing the small orange balls.
They are there to absorb the “additional” humidity, in case there is still a little moisture left in the air. There are also two of these capsules in the base unit of the fixture.
The capsules are all very easily replaceable, and have an almost negligible cost, but if necessary, it is also possible to recondition them yourself, by simply drying them in a microwave oven. There, on the other hand, the manipulation, especially for the capsules of the yoke, is more delicate because it will be necessary to empty the balls of the capsules, and put them back inside, pack them well, and above all not to lose any to preserve all the filtering properties. filters, etc. So, working on this part yourself is quite possible but a little more technical…
The base unit also includes electronic and mechanical elements that are designed to be rainproof (with small anti-humidity capsules). Thus the base is also ventilated. This makes it possible in particular to avoid extra weight as was sometimes the case on certain earlier generations of waterproof fixtures and whose cooling was essentially based on dissipation by complete elements of the architecture of the carcass.
Internal anti-humidity capsule.
The internal capsule filled with humidity.
We notice the presence of two small “domes” which protrude from the base unit on its upper part, diagonally. These are antennas for the Wireless DMX signal. In the FORTE, they are integrated into the base, the shells being made of plastic, there is no problem with wave diffusion.
Here, with shells made of metal alloys, it is more complicated. The antennas, therefore, have this small external area. A single one would have sufficed but the second guarantees a good connection in all directions, the fixtures’ software selects on its own the antenna which will have the best signal reception.
The panel with protected connectors.
The connector panel includes all the bases of the FORTE, but this time with a protective cover.
The double network connection is equipped with “Epass” technology allowing the signal to be received and output even when the device is switched off.
On this panel is also found the general fuse holder of the fixture as well as the replaceable battery which supplies the display for the configuration when not plugged into the mains. A version exists for permanent outdoor installations, where all the connectors are replaced by fully sealed cable glands.
Test de pression
By closing the machine, we, therefore, carry out, as provided for in the procedure, a leak test. All we have to do is go to the “Pressure test” menu and launch “Start test”.
The menu screen.
In this mode, a solenoid valve blocks the passage of air and therefore allows the internal sensors to check if there is a pressure variation inside the head.
For the inside of the machine to rise in pressure, the process used is that of increasing the internal temperature. The software closes the framing blades and sends the light to 100%.
The complete test takes about 5 minutes and is done on its own. If a loss of pressure is detected, the machine notifies you and you will have to double-check that you have closed everything correctly and relaunch a pressure test.
As the covers are very easy to open, there is little risk of it being a headache… But if following an impact the casing is dented or deformed, you know that there is a problem and that there is a leak. somewhere…
Robe tells us that the surrounding pressure is also taken into account. If you are by the sea or in the mountains, the pressure is not the same, the software can take it into account in the analysis and the pressure comparisons that it will perform.
Infos connectées
ROBE has always been quite good regarding the fixture/user interface. Smartphone applications and various connectivity, which allow technicians to interfere with the fixtures, have been working quite well for a few years now. Here again, on the iFORTE, it is possible to have a lot of information allowing the monitoring and maintenance of the fixtures in different ways.
Web page connected to the fixture… “the briefcase”!
One of the most complete is to connect the fixture (or a series of fixtures) via a network switch to a computer. All you have to do is open the internet browser, type in the fixture’s IP address, and a web page reveals the status of the fixture live.
You can then see all the electronic parameters, cooling, internal and external temperature, electrical voltages, DMX frame, control signals, and sensor data (temperature, pressure, etc.) In short, you have a valuable and complete inventory in real-time.
Comparing the light output…does it have the punch of the Forte?
Only 1% difference between iFORTE and FORTE derating.
Well yes. We can say that in use, between FORTE and iFORTE, the minimal difference will not be noticeable to the eye. The derating of 7.5% for the FORTE increases to 8.4% for the iFORTE.
The flows compared between the two machines (that of the FORTE in our first test, and that of the iFORTE today) are almost identical to less than 10%.
In comparison, at 20°, our reference angle, the illuminance at the center after derating of the iFORTE is 13,000 lux against 14,300 for the FORTE and the flux goes from 34,600 lumens to 31,600 still after derating.
Square-Low dimmer curve from 0 to 100 %.
The zoom range becomes a bit wider on the iFORTE: 5.4° – 53.1° against 5.5° – 51.4° for the FORTE.
Furthermore, all of the tests we have carried out show that the gobos, colors, and prisms are the same on both versions and the Square Low dimmer curves are the same.
Gobo tests (FORTE left, and iFORTE on the right).
Color tests (FORTE left, and iFORTE on the right).
Conclusion
The iFORTE is, like the FORTE, a powerful and amazing fixture. It also has its “IP65” protection index, making it resistant to external phenomena. I say “external phenomena” and not simply “weather conditions” because if the iFORTE is of course an ideal fixture for use in all types of weather, it will also be ideal for all indoor applications with a considerable advantage, that of having a fixture whose overall maintenance is reduced to a bare minimum.
With a completely waterproof head, there is no more untimely cleaning and other routine maintenance… We change the small cartridges once a year, we wipe the lens, and there… Today it is an axis of reflection that is at the heart of the concerns of many suppliers who are interested in “IP” to benefit from versatile, long-lasting fixtures, but also to overcome other problems related to the implementation of more traditional fixtures.
Besides that, with the iFORTE, Robe pushes even further and brilliantly all the technological processes of development and applications seen so far on the moving heads. The achievement is, in my opinion, exceptional.
We like:
- Everything, it does everything well
- Design Intelligence
We regret:
Robe video of the comparison of the two fixtures
iFORTE & FORTE comparison video from ROBE lighting on Vimeo.
For more information:
– le site Robe Lighting France
– Banc d’essais du FORTE dans SoundLightUp : FORTE Robe, le rival du BMFL
General listing
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