Rigging / Staging

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14 March 2016

This Developers Conference aims to provide a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users; and to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

The "Plugfest" is a hands-on opportunity for product developers to try their products and code implementations with products from a variety of other manufacturers, with support from their industry peers in an environment that encourages co-operation and improved understanding of the standards, and with the aim of achieving high levels of interoperability.

Typically, engineers participate in these ev

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14 March 2016

BSR E1.6-2 - 201x, Entertainment Technology - Design, Inspection, and Maintenance of Electric Chain Hoists for the Entertainment Industry, is part of the E1.6 powered entertainment rigging project. This draft standard covers the design, inspection, and maintenance of serially manufactured electric link chain hoists having capacity of 2 tons or less and used in the entertainment industry. This standard does not cover attachment to the load or to the overhead structure. Its review runs until April 24.

BSR E1.6-4 - 201x, Portable Control of Fixed-Speed Electric Chain Hoists in the Entertainment Industry, is a standard for the controls often used to operate chain hoists. Its review runs until March 27.

BSR E1.8 - 201x, Ent

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14 March 2016

"These were our best December and January ever, and our best two consecutive months ever," reported Stardraw.com marketing director, Rob Robinson, "and that is principally down to SD7 sales. It's a huge testament to the relevance of the product to today's systems contractors, and doubly so when you consider that we have achieved record sales at a time when many others are still feeling the effects of the economic crisis. We've also garnered professional

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14 March 2016

The heart o the arts centre, the 2,400-seat Whitney Hall presents a year-round range of performances including touring Broadway shows, productions by the Kentucky Opera and the Louisville Ballet, and Louisville Orchestra concerts. To meet the acoustical requirements of so many different groups, Whitney Hall uses custom Wenger Diva shell ceilings, which can be adjusted to improve the sound quality.

In 2009, the Centre's technical staff determined that it was time to stop using the hydraulic hoists that controlled these ceilings. "You get hydraulics over an audience and you get nervous," said Bell. "The mechanics were nearly 30 years old. When

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14 March 2016

The CometFlame, a stadium effect launched in 2011 which produces flames up to 6m high. It fires for five seconds at a time and can be set to fire in high frequency or at preselected intervals. Furthermore, the flame can be set at five different firing angles - 45, 22, 0, 22 and 45 degrees - to create stunning effects. Six colour fluids are available: red, green, yellow, blue, purple and orange.

In addition there will be the MVS Hazer - Multi Venue System; G-Force 2 Smoke Machine; and the Chameleon, which fires spectacular quick flame balls and consistent straight flames, adjustable up to 4m, available in red or natural.

Full information on these products as well

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14 March 2016

A world-first at the inaugural event in 2010, The PLASA Rigging Conference has quickly gained a loyal international following and is now firmly established as the leading international platform to review best practice, dispel myths, discuss standards and share expertise. 40 international speakers take part in panel sessions each year, including in-depth case studies and lively open question sessions.

Also returning in 2012 is the 'Riggers' Forum' on the afternoon of Sunday 9 September. This informal event offers riggers who are unable to attend the

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14 March 2016

Standard features of this unit include automatic water feed, digital temperature control, adjustable LN2 flow control, system status read back and selectable remote control voltages.

In addition to the Mammoth II, MTFX stocks a range of fog machines to "make the best of any event requiring an atmospheric effect".

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

CAST's stand design will feature a slot-car racetrack that pit two people against each other in a head-to-head race: both racers will try to beat the realtime speed of BlackTrax. The racetrack itself is projected from above and the entire stand will be bursting with BlackTrax-filled interactivity involving lighting, spatial audio, projections, automated scenery, and giving the audience a fully immersive entertainment experience.

The racetrack will be controlled by a 22" touchscreen mounted on a podium. You control all of the action and BlackTrax will determine the race time of each car, and the winner. Each race winner will be entered into a raffle for prizes, and the fastest racer each day wins a daily grand prize. Every racer will be given a link to a

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14 March 2016

Due to be showcased at PLASA Focus: Leeds, the new connection technology simplifies cabling, saves installation time and enables extensions and conversions without incurring significant interruptions to existing operations, the company says. Installation flexibility is enhanced by easy replacement and 'drag through' in narrow ducting of the small cross-section preLink cables, allowing future-proof upgrades from Cat 5 100 Mbit/s to Cat 6 EA 10 Gbit/s performance.

Harting offers a patch panel for installation in 19" cabinets or frames in accordance with IEC/DIN EN 60297-3-100 (DIN 41494-1). A mix of up to 24 individual Ha-VIS preLink(R)

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14 March 2016

The TL-A150 lifts 150kg (331 lbs) to a height of 5.3m (17.4') whilst the TL-A300 lifts 300kg (662lbs) to 5.8m (19'). Both lifts maintain compact features with the TL-A300 boasting a stowed height of just 1.58m and includes the ALS (Auto Lock Security) system, a safety feature which automatically locks the lift masts as they rise. The two new lifts also have the new SRS (Sequence Retianer System) built-in to them. The SRS means that the sections of the lift rise and descend in sequence, one after the other.

The masts are manufactured from aluminium to keep the weigh

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14 March 2016

The brief was that it must accommodate a screen measuring a minimum of 46 inches, complete with Blu-ray player, laptop docking station, coffee maker and an integrated loudspeaker system.

5 Star's team began the initial design by sketching a few variants from which DiGiCo could choose a definitive version.

The overall design selected was a long 'Sideboard' type layout, housing all the necessary equipment including power sockets.

At the heart of it is an electric TV lift sourced from Penn-Elcom, featuring 730 mm of vertical travel and a wireless remote control. This device is the basis for an inbuilt 47" LG LED screen giving a 1080p full HD display.

The powered TV lift includes a flush fitting

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14 March 2016

The 35,000 capacity football-only stadium has been three years in the building, and is one of the eight Euro 2012 venues as well as home to FC Kapaty Lviv.

Its spectacular opening ceremony was followed by an inaugural 'friendly' match between the Ukraine and Austria.

Milos was contacted by director Andrey Garkaviy from local rental company Sound House Pro, who proposed and supplied the Milos trussing solution to Lviv State Administration. The project was managed for Milos by Michal Zykan.

In addition to the speakers, other technical production equipment - like lighting and AV - can also be hung on the sam

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14 March 2016

The 'KX Platform' sits at the northern end of the UAL site on what used to be the old Marshalling Yards, train sheds and Grain Store serving Kings Cross mainline station.

Working with principal contractor Overbury and Andy Stone/Drama By Design as project coordinator, Halls utilised the new Brickhouse counterweight cradle and wall frame design from TSE in the US to great effect and the complete system went in on time and on budget. Hall Stage also provided all structural work including SkyDeck, technical gantries, ladders and Front of House lighting bridges.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Nashville is the latest event to be launched under the PLASA Focus banner, and follows the hugely successful PLASA Focus: Austin, held in February of this year. The current series of North American regional events are modelled after PLASA Focus: Leeds (UK), which, in its third year, topped 2500 attendees.

PLASA Focus: Nashville 2012 will bring regional entertainment technology communities together to do business and network in a relaxed and friendly setting. While regional exhibitors and visitors are set to benefit from the new event, PLASA Focus: Nashville will also give those involved the opportunity to mix with a wider audience than has ever been possible before as PLASA Focus: Nashville will

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14 March 2016

DiRaddo brings almost 40 years of event production and audio/visual expertise with him to Staging Solutions where he will join their executive management and leadership team.

"I have had the pleasure of working with Andy for over 20 years on a variety of great events from Power of Houston to Compaq Sales Conferences in Hawaii and Las Vegas," said Bill Fitch, president and owner of Staging Solutions. "Andy has always impressed me with his keen production skill and knowledge, as well as his creativity and superb communications skills. I'm excited about the possibilities this brings to our clients and company."

Before joining Staging Solutions, DiRaddo was at LD Systems - a full service production company which he founded in

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14 March 2016

The update includes numerous new features. Among them are an optimized graphic display, freely configurable page views for a clearer overview when large numbers of drives are involved, additional safety-relevant indicators, and enhanced performance through the integration of a powerful database.

Further, with I-Motion V2 an expanded cue functionality is possible. Movecat calls this 'Multi-drive'. One of the advantages of Multi-drive is the multiple selection and deselection of individual hoists in a cue, which makes simpler programming of complex show sequences possible.

This new version of the software will be supplied with the I-Motion controllers Expert-T II, Basic and Basic-S from March onwards. An upgrade is available for existing I-

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14 March 2016

The DVM120 Series consists of seven different problem fixers and audio tools for professional live and studio applications. All devices have the same "indestructible, well-conceived and no-compromise housing design" made of a solid 3mm extruded profile.

Due to the front and connection plates recessed by 18mm all controls and connectors - including the active components - are optimally protected against boot kicks etc in the tough daily routine on stage or in the studio

All active devices are equipped with an internal power supply, suitable for operating voltages between 90 and 240V (50/60HZ). The mains supply is provided via a high-quality combined IEC switch/fuse unit. The supplied locking IEC power cord ensures safe contact making.

Qua

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14 March 2016

Being seen for the first time is Doughty's all steel Beam Clamp which, with a wide adjustment range of up to 200mm, makes a flexible and versatile rigging point for hoisting equipment, pulley blocks or loads. With a forged eye and a central threaded spindle for easy attachment and safe and secure grip, the Beam Clamp has a safe working load of 1000kg.

Complementing Doughty's Quick Trigger range of clamps, the Baby Quick Trigger clamp is intended for use on smaller truss sizes, adjustable to diameters of 25mm up to 38mm. With TUV approval pending, the Baby Quick Trigger clamp will be available in polished aluminium or satin black.

Doughty is using ProLight+Sound (Hall 9.0, stand E91) to preview its new, lightweight spring Pa

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14 March 2016

Triple E specified and installed a custom curved Unibeam System that would work equally smoothly in the repertory as well as on tour.

"I was asked to recommend a track system that could be hung with the minimum of pickups, work smoothly and be capable of touring to different sized stages," says David Edelstein, managing director of the Triple E. "The solution was a hand winch rope driven Unibeam track."

Travelling Light, by Nicholas Wright, is a 'love-letter to the movies and an appealingly intelligent evocation of the Jewish

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14 March 2016

This invitation only workshop, targeted solely toward owners and users of Total Structures outdoor stage roof systems, covered topics including system design and engineering, rigging fundamentals, fall protection concerns, equipment inspection and maintenance, and wind and weather hazard preparations.

Held near the company's headquarters and factory in Ventura, California, this workshop was attended by 45 industry veterans representing 22 companies, from countries as far away as Columbia, all working in the outdoor event field.

The three-day workshop offered an all-star cast of presenters includ

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14 March 2016

XLNT CyberMotion offers a complete range of mobile motion control products designed specifically for the entertainment industry. Developed by XLNT Advanced Technologies, state of the art technology was used to create a series of SIL3 certified intercompatible road-ready products "for breathtaking shows and cost efficient global concert touring".

Intelligent, variable speed chain hoists, winches, trolley beams and other (custom) motion control mechanics, instantly add movement and velocity to permanent installations, multi-purpose venues, concert touring and theatre, TV or event productions of an

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14 March 2016

Amongst the products on show will be the new Chaindrive system for T60 & T70 track systems, which enables heavy curtain motorisation through tight & complex curves, even in 'rearfold' format - without the need for additional & expensive 'off-stage' storage space.

Also on the stand will be samples of Skydeck wire grid floor systems (Hall Stage has recently completed a 1,200 square metre Skydeck installation in the UK) and the acoustically tested and analysed range of acouStac acoustic banners and rollers.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

P100 Protruss, the latest product to benefit from the company's new automated fabrication process, is a heavy duty truss for the most demanding applications. The P100 has undergone a battery of tests and stress analysis, and even passed a load test that saw a 4.8m span support a 14 tonne point load with flying colors, to verify the theoretical calculations in real life.

Interal T.C. has taken a huge leap in the area of producing and dry-hiring aluminium trusses since it was established in 2003, and this year sees its automated fabrication system running at full force, bringing an unprecedented level of quality and consistency to the

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14 March 2016

Zayed'snew campus has space for up to 6,000 students - a dramatic increase over the 200 students enrolled when the university opened in 1998. The new theatre is part of a convention centre designed to involve the broader community of Abu Dhabi in performances and events on campus.

J.R. Clancy worked in partnership with the UAE team of J & C Joel to provide a combination of 20 counterweight rigging sets and 24 PowerLift motorised rigging sets. This system gives the new theatre plenty of capacity for raising and lowering scenery, lights, curtains, and an orchestra shell.

"The blend of manual and motorised rigging gives technical theatre students the opportunity to lear