In the world of rigging equipment, you will often hear the acronyms WLL, SWL, MBL/MBS/MBF. What do they mean, and which one should be used? SWL – Safe Working LoadWLL – Working Load Limit (also referred to in Australian regulations as “rated capacity”)MBL/MBS/MBF – Minimum Breaking Load/Strain/Force In short, both mean the same …
We’ve all seen production truss load tables before. At the very least, they provide allowable Centre Point Load (CPL) and Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) for given spans. Typically, these are values calculated by a suitably qualified Engineer contracted by the truss manufacturer. How to calculate truss loads and understanding the …
There are a handful of factors when considering your next screen case investment; affordability, reliability, useability and size. Design Quintessence offers a wide range of screen cases to protect monitors, TV’s and commercial LED screens. Each case style is designed to suit specific application scenarios and our local Design and …
TÜV is short for “Technischer Überwachungsverein” or, translating into English, “Technical Inspection Association.” WikiPedia describes them as “internationally active, independent service companies from Germany and Austria that test, inspect and certify technical systems, facilities and objects of all kinds in order to minimise hazards and prevent damages.” The certification is internationally recognised and …
Box truss is a versatile tool in the entertainment industry. It is light, configurable in many ways, and able to carry heavy loads. That said, it does have its drawbacks as well. When the load that needs to be supported from the truss must be centered it can be difficult to …
A question that comes up regularly is if, when connecting truss together, the diagonal bracing should form continuous triangles as seen below? And never like this? The answer to that question is not necessarily. From an aesthetic standpoint it might be ideal that the diagonal bracing would be continuous to …
We all know the importance of getting a truck pack right for all those who have ever had to load and unload a truck. An extensive selection of “truck-friendly” road case sizing goes a long way to getting the truck pack right the first time. In addition, in an industry where …
The LED screen is up, the gig is on track, when suddenly the event manager asks if it can be a little bit bigger. Sure, why not, it’s just a few more panels. A quick calculation of the new load and we’ll just add another hoist in the middle because …
Basic vs Advanced Controllers and Beyond The first step in choosing a chain hoist controller or designing a control system is understanding the range and capabilities of controllers that are available. The controller you choose should be dictated by the needs of the job. These controllers, while limited in extra …
Truss is a workhorse of our industry that gets used (and sometimes abused) regularly on events which will inevitably lead to damage and wear. So how do you know when a piece of truss is no longer safe for use? How often do you need to inspect it? This guide …
Towerlifts are a very useful tool in the entertainment industry to allow us to hold truss or lighting up in places where there are no easy rigging points. There are some practical considerations that we should be aware of to ensure that the lifts operate correctly, and so that the …
Maintaining consistent height in steps is critical for several reasons related to safety, ergonomics and usability. In this video below, in one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, the Maracanã has one step inconsistent to the rest of its set of stairs. Outlined in the Australian Standard 1657 – …