Archive
LITEC
Rigging and Trussing
Litec is a leading manufacturer of trussing and rigging gear, distributed by production equipment specialist AC Lighting. Litec is renowned for their forward thinking designs and commitment to quality manufacturer.
The new Litec EXE-Lodestar 650C1 is the first entirely BGV-C1 multifunction electric chain hoist designed for use in the entertainment industry. Adopting the German BGV-C1 code of practice is voluntary, but it is generally required to obtain insurance within Germany and is therefore rapidly becoming an industry standard across Europe.
A C1 chain hoist can be defined as a unit suitable for use to move and hold loads above people, and as such has to meet certain criteria such as a design factor of 10:1, underload and overload protection, four limit switches and a double brake mechanism.
“We needed to make a simple hoist that could work safely in compliance with all the regulations in force in Europe,” said Cristiano Giavedoni, Litec's rigging product manager. “With the EXE Dual Core system, we have included all the control and safety functions needed for a BGV-C1 compliant hoist, all entirely on board the EXE-Lodestar 650C1.”
The EXE-Lodestar 650C1 reads the dynamic load applied and detects overloading, underloading and any hoist operating anomalies. It controls the operation of the two brakes independently, and the hoist can be made class D8 for maintenance and storage using a security key switch (D8 hoists can be used to lift loads during set up, with the area beneath clear of people).
“It is a revolution in the concept of lifting,” underlined Franco Cesaretto, EXE electronics designer. “The hoist is close to the moving head concept, where each hoist can be individually addressed and ‘daisy-chain’ linked.”
Operating the hoist does not require dedicated ‘C1’ controller, but any standard direct control unit can be used. The EXE Lodestar 650C1 is a co-branded Litec/Columbus McKinnon product that combines the classic CM lifting mechanism with innovative EXE technology developed at the Litec R&D laboratories. The EXE Lodestar 650C1 recently won the Stage Technology category award at Showtech in Berlin.
Litec has also released the new Flyintower Compact, which is a cost effective support tower for flying smaller PA systems. The Flyintower Compact is quick and easy to assemble and dismantle, and requires the minimum storage space, measuring only 40cm x 40cm x 240cm closed size (truss excluded). The main mast of the tower uses the popular QX30S standard truss with the addition of a special base, including a hoist coupler and two front arms. The structure is suitable for lifting loads of up to 300kg to a height of 6m.
Anchoring is provided for an electronic chain hoist. Alternatively, a manual cable winch device can be employed for lifting the load of the PA system. The FT Compact is suitable for indoor use, or outdoor with the addition of the optional ballast tray. A.C. Lighting is the exclusive UK distributor of Litec trussing and rigging products.
