Loading and unloading cradles is an inherently dangerous process: DGS reduces the potential for conflicts with safe working practices legislation and future health issues as well as future claims for injury and long-term back problems - by doing away with the manual aspects of the process.
Operational advantages include the ability to start, stop, speed up, slow down and bring items into position with millimetre accuracy at speeds of up to 1.5m/second. The patented steel band does not stretch at all - unlike wire rope - so the load is always fully under control. DGS can be retrofitted to most counterweight flying systems and will run comfortably with a 500kg load at 1.5m/second, while advanced options allow loads of up to 750kg. The new system offers near silent operation, generating less than 30dB at stage level. The system allows for the use of all lines simultaneously, with minimal crew.
Hall Stage says DGS can be put into an existing counterweight system in approximately four hours per line - minimizing disruption and installation time. In addition, it reduces the load on the structure of the building by up to 50%.
As well as cheaper running and crewing costs, Hall Stage is offering a series of financial package options - for example a rental scheme, which means that the DGS System does not need to appear on a theatre's asset register, negating the need for capex funding. Low cost, entry-level models are available, and Hall Stage is willing to buy back all unwanted counterweights used in the venue's system - for cash!
