Ignite Digi – From Hobart to the world

Tasmanian high-quality specialist company Ignite Digi manufactures and sells premium camera and gimbal accessories to many of the world’s biggest film and television productions including Disney’s Mulan, Deadpool 2, Marvel’s Venom, A Star is Born, HBO’s True Detective and many film, television and Netflix programs.

Crafted by industry professionals for industry professionals, Ignite Digi’s products work in tandem with leading professional-level cameras to unlock their full potential with enormous time saving benefits for users throughout the world. The entire accessory and cable range is designed, manufactured and assembled in a stateof-the art facility in Hobart, Tasmania, with exports representing more than 95% of the company’s sales. Established in 2013 by cinematographer Tom Waugh and aeronautical engineer/gimbal operator Chris Fox, Ignite Digi was originally formed to provide aerial cinematography services including building unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and camera support systems for camera set-ups to enhance footage and productivity on set during film and television productions. The founders combined their skills, with Fox’s experience in engineering and camera movement complementing his role as chief engineer and machinist, while Waugh’s advanced knowledge in cinematography and problem solving have proven ideal for his role as managing Ignite Digi’s sales, customer service and solving complex questions to ensure the right tools are on hand for the task. With the introduction of cheaper UAVs and drones into the market, Waugh and Fox realised they were no longer competitive in building UAVs and concentrated their development skills in the design and advanced development of a range of gimbal and high-end camera cables and accessories, which have been developed from a gimbal and camera operator’s perspective. From the outset the company has had a strong relationship with Okuma and has just commissioned its third Okuma CNC machining centre, investing in a second Model MB4000H machine as the company expands and diversifies into further precision components to service local markets. The company’s two Okuma MB4000H horizontal machining centres are each eqipped with a 10-pallet pool automatic pallet changer (APC) and 146 tool magazines. “We have always found Okuma great to deal with, from their original recommendations to today,” says Fox. “They have worked closely with us and their installations and training have been exceptional – even under COVID-19 restrictions. Today our entire product line is produced on Okuma machines, which are working 24 hours, seven days per week, and are stable and precise, consistently producing accurate parts.” “Okuma offers a high level of support to all Tasmanian manufacturing customers with the provision of our standard 12 months unlimited application support for all new Okuma machine installations,” adds Mark Richards, Branch Manager – Victoria and Tasmania at Okuma. “We also host special Okuma training seminars in Tasmania which will be initiated once again, post COVID-19 restrictions.” Ignite Digi was the winner of the Advanced Manufacturing Award for Tasmania in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with hospitals and front line workers requiring high levels of support in terms of personal protective gear, the company modified an open source design for protective face shields from Europe and modified this for injection moulding for high-volume production. Ignite Digi has now produced 20,000 protective shields, donating more than half to hospitals in Tasmania. Ignite Digi remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing in Tasmania, with some of the most cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities in the state. The company recently hosted a delegation from the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC), whose mission is to ‘promote a globally competitive

Ignite Digi’s founders Tom Waugh (left) and Chris Fox at the handover of the company’s new Okuma MB4000H horizontal machining centre.

Ignite Digi manufactures a range of premium camera and gimbal accessories for film and televions industry professionals.

minerals, manufacturing and energy sector to enable sustainable operations in a safe and environmentally responsible manner’. “The skills and dedication of this small team at Ignite Digi is exceptional and has undoubtedly led to its success internationally in a high technology business sector,” says Okuma Australia’s Managing Director, Dean McCarroll. "Okuma is proud to have been part of this success as we work together to advance engineering capabilities of Australian and Tasmanian companies.”

www.okumaaustralia.com.au www.ignitedigi.com.au