Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Beam Clamps and Rigging Pulley Systems for Circus
Trix Circus: Beam clamps are designed to be used in applications where a load is placed on a structural beam (such as an I beam, universal beam, H beam, RSJ). They attach to the lower flange of a structural beam and allow for secure fixing without the need for welding and drilling. The most widely available beam clamps are called girder clamps and they can be very useful for circus rigging if you are intending to hang apparatus as a direct vertical load.
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4 comments:
When it comes to flying people in the air, I know enough to know that I know nothing. Which is great for any actor or performer that will fly in any space that I would be supervising because I would get somebody who is properly trained to actually supervise what could be a life-threatening situation. This system is a great reminder of this fact. I do really like the consideration in the product design to not needing to be welded in the air or needing to drill through the structural I-beams. This saves the hassle of getting the proper prerequisites in order to continue. It still is important to speak to the structural engineer in order to confirm that the load applied to the underside of any I-beam can withstand the temporary loading. This would be a great topic to continue researching and talking to experts in flying like ZFX, Vertigo, or others.
I really enjoyed reading this article because it highlighted the specificity of the entertainment industry and the nuances that come with nonpermanent performances. One of the main problems that arose when trying to install the rigging to structural beams was not leaving any alterations to the beam after the show concluded. In the world of theater specifically looking at phantoms a similar problem arises. Rigging the falling chandelier in some theaters is impossible without permanent installations that are added to the theater. As the article mentions those venues will then go on to host several other different shows and whatever installation was added for one performance could become a complication for another. Inventions like the one mentioned in the article could easily be translated into the rest of the entertainment industry that may be doing shows in weird and unconventional spaces.
Circus rigging is a unique challenge in the need for reliable and safe support systems that are able to travel from place to place quickly and without wear to the equipment itself nor to the locations themselves. Circus rigging often requires more complex solutions than beam clamps for lateral and vertical forces. Historically, pulleys have been used with slings and scaffolding clamps or drilling into beams - but that can be costly and unsafe. Trix Circus developed the engineer-certified aerial beam clamp. It’s made of four sections bolted onto the lower flange of a beam using four bolts. It’s got a working load limit of 3000kg and minimum breaking strain of 6000kg - wow! This avoids the headache of having to drill into beams or the risk of a less strong and safe alternative. It’s also seemingly very easy to transfer from place to place or to make quick adjustments on-site.
I don’t really know anything about rigging and lifting, so I tend to avoid these types of articles. I gave this one a shot though, because I find the circus so fascinating, and I enjoyed it! While a lot of the technical terms went over my head, I deeply understand the need for safety and reliability in flying systems. I love seeing how inventive engineers and technicians are, as well as their unrelenting drive to create safer and more efficient systems. The strive to always be better creates a safer, more effective, and more efficient for all involved. This is especially important in a touring industry, where each location is different and presents new challenges and difficulties. Ensuring for an easier installation and operation that keeps all involved safe is vital. I would love to see this system up close and further understand the intricacies and methods of how it functions and works.
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