Slingco - rigging solutions and steel wire specialists – are at PLASA showcasing their new Vortek system and their CABLEnet tensioned wire grids.

The company was established in the late 1970's to provide a range of innovative wire rope-based solutions to a diverse range of industries including mining, civil engineering, telecommunications, architecture, marine/offshore, defence & aerospace. 

Since then, Slingco has grown into a major specialist in and supplier of wire rope and associated products, achieving ISO9002 quality assurance.

NEW: Vortek – A Brake with Tradition

Launched earlier this year, Vortek is a complete theatrical rigging system designed and manufactured by acclaimed stage machinery innovators, Hoffend Inc. USA, for which Slingco is the exclusive UK representative.

Work that used to take four-to-six weeks can now be completed in days utilising Vortek.

The hub of every Vortek system is a unique, patented brake, specifically designed for theatre applications.

This continuously applied, variable-load, back-up brake totally eliminates over-speed brake and "shock-load" type problems.

The brake is connected to the drum, and operates independently of any electrical or drive-train system. In the event of all other elements in the drive-train system failing (including the gear-box), with the Vortek back-up brake; everything stops within 3mm!

The mechanical Vortek back-up brake also remains fully functional in the event of a power failure.

Overload/Underload Protection

Vortek also features over-load and under-load protection. Over-load detection protects the batten in the up direction, preventing it from picking up tangled curtains, or other unwanted loads.

Under-load protects the batten in the down direction, stopping it from becoming embroiled in other rigging or driving scenery into the stage floor. If either condition is sensed, the system immediately stops.

The adjustable device allows the batten to be fine tuned to sense an over-load or under-load condition as little as 2Kg. The Vortek Under-load/Overload battens significantly enhance a system’s safety for users at all experience levels.

VAC – The Heart of the Operation

The VAC™ (Vortek Automated Controls) centre is at the core of the Vortek installation.

Intuitive Touch Screen control and Menuing make the system simple to administer and use, complete with three levels of password access.

There are variable speeds, with soft starts and soft stops. Multiple battens will move to within 0.5 mm in precise synchronisation - with a touch of the VAC screen. Automated cueing flies in props, raises and lowers flats and drops and adjusts lighting pipes simultaneously – all with a touch of the VAC screen.

A wireless Remote option allows the system to be operated from various locations around the venue, and a pendant option is also available.

The Vortek VAC can operate multiple battens together, and can control up to 250 Vortek units as a rigging system.

With a desktop 32 inches above the ground, the VAC workstation can be operated from a seated position – enabling wheelchair users to use VAC with ease and comfort.

CABLEnet

Slingco will also be highlighting its legendary CABLEnet tensioned wire grid system at PLASA

Slingco was the first British-based company to design, manufacture and install a tension wire grid.

It’s the UK market leader in this innovative technology and is constantly expanding operations into Europe. To date, the world's largest tension wire grid installation is IFEMA in Madrid, Spain's premier exhibition centre.

The CABLEnet system is created by weaving and tensioning high tensile steel cable within a frame, which is then hoisted to the required level in a theatre or concert hall to create a safe 'virtual floor'®. Lighting, audio, AV technicians and riggers can then work on this in complete confidence.

Virtually invisible from ground level, the system has the key benefit of casting no shadows from lighting rigs positioned above.

CABLEnet is incredibly flexible. Systems can be modular or custom woven on site to accommodate any layout or room shape. CABLEnet can be installed around features such as columns, pillars and arches, and sleeves can be incorporated into the mesh to allow the movement of cable-controlled equipment through the platform.

Recent Slingco CABLEnet installations include RADA, Norden Farm, Hampstead Theatre, the Western Studio at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff and the brand new Junction 2 theatre in Cambridge.