Minitec profile system helps create photo booth

Minitec machine building and framing components have been utilised in the design and supply of portable photo booths for Coventry-based Pictureblast.

Pictureblast offers a photo equipment hire service for events such as wedding receptions, exhibitions, corporate launch promotions, plus company and individual party celebrations.

A Pictureblast photo booth is similar in concept to the high-street shop/passport photo variety, except that the booth is larger, looks more exciting and is assembled at the venue for the exclusive use of guests.

It provides free instant prints of souvenir photos and website images that can be downloaded after the event.

They can also include a blast of hair-raising air to make the pictures more interesting.

Pictureblast is run by Paul Entwistle, who started the business in 2008.

Having researched the market and found that most competitor booths were just too lightweight for the job in hand, Entwistle preferred his own design at the outset and commissioned local suppliers for fabricated wooden and metal-framed variants with canvas panels.

These booths are still being used today, but the latest design using Minitec framing components, the Superbooth, was borne out of a need to add an even smarter and more aesthetic element to the construction to attract new corporate clients.

Other specifications included speeding the on-site assembly and break-down time while maintaining a lightweight yet robust structure suitable for up to eight people to use at a time.

There was also a requirement to ensure that the construction was entirely from standard and easily replaced parts on fast delivery times, as existing custom fabricated designs had proven a problem in the event of damage caused by 'over enthusiastic' participants.

The design also required provision for a built-in seating area and should include stage lighting within the booth to help improve both the comfort for guests and the final image quality, which in turn helps with overall customer satisfaction.

Initially, Entwistle gave Minitec's applications engineers an outline of his requirements by telephone in which he interpreted the design as 'standard parts with bespoke looks'.

As the job was urgent, he visited Minitec's Basingstoke factory the following day where a profile system mock up was ready and awaiting his inspection.

This fast service was made possible by the adaptable nature of the profile system and its Powerlock fastening system, which allows rapid assembly with no pre-machining of the profile other than cutting each frame member to its required length.

There is no need to drill and prepare each individual joint - an 8mm Allen key is all that is required.

During the visit, it was demonstrated that assembly time for the booth would be much faster - in fact the final design reduces assembly and break-down time by at least 50 per cent.

The final unit was delivered within a week of the visit.

The site visit also revealed that a combination of acrylic plastic panels for the walls would make the final design even more durable and together with the anodised finish on the framing components, would allow the more 'classier' look and feel that Pictureblast required.

The provision for panels could also extend to exhibition style panelling using Pictureblast's own graphics expertise for corporate livery or other artwork relevant for the event.

The final design size included Profilesystem in a nominal sectional size of 45mm2 with an overall volume of around 1.8m length x 1.2m width and a height of almost 2m.

To protect the expensive camera system, a reinforced double panel arrangement was suggested at the 'technology end' of the booth using 45mm x 90mm profile.

The adaptable T-slot system could accommodate the stage lighting and an optional seating platform could be quickly built into the booth if required.

In addition, numerous standard fixings were supplied in case of accidental loss.

The Superbooth is packed into four storage crates for straightforward transportation to each venue and takes less than 30 minutes to assemble and even less to break down.

The design also allows for adaptation for a larger, increased length Superbooth should the need arise.

Pictureblast is also thinking of a similar-sized design that might break down into even smaller sections to aid carrying to venues with more challenging access.

Back to top