ARRI Alexa Mini Factory Visit

I visited ARRI in Munich this May to get a first-hand look at assembly of the Alexa Mini. This is a reprint from the report in FDTimes Issue 70 — June 2015.

The Alexa Mini Wild Bunch: David Bermbach, Project Manager; Christian Hartl, Head of Camera Assembly; Walter Trauninger, Managing Director of ARRI Cine Technik; Martin Höcht, Head of Procurement; Michael Jonas, Product Manager.

ARRI Alexa Mini camera assembly on Tuerkenstrasse. Christian Wachholz, Head of the camera assembly line, on right.

Alexa Minis after testing and ready to ship.

David Bermbach with skeleton of Alexa Mini. It’s built somewhat like a Mac Pro, with a central cooling chimney and unibody skeleton. Unlike the Mini, Amira and Alexa bodies are structural.

David Bermbach with the skeleton of an Alexa Mini. It’s built somewhat like a Mac Pro, with a central cooling chimney and unibody skeleton. Unlike the Mini, Amira and Alexa bodies are structural.

Sensor module, lens mount, cooling and circuits are all assembled as a single unit.

The front surrounds the lens mount but remains independent. If you crack the body, it’s just cosmetic. You can keep shooting.

Here’s the lens mount with the front of the body attached.

Why is the lens motor connector on the lens mount and not at the back, as usual? Less cable clutter, and shorter cables as well.

Assembled camera with sensor, seen from the front.

MAP-2 (Mini Adaptor Plate)

MAP-2 with BPA-4 and BP-8

BPA-4 (Bridge Plate Adapter)

Cage with MSB-1 (Mini Side Brackets), MAP-1 on top

CSP-1 (Camera Shoulder Pad)

EVF, CTH-1 (Camera Top Handle), CSP has supports to sit on flat surface

(Top). Our traditional idea of top and bottom is turned on its head: you can mount the camera any way you like. The mounting points are not attached to the body—they are secured to the internal frame.