Fly system - Knowledge

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lines are one and the same. Typically, a lift line runs from the sand bag (counterweight) assigned to a specific line set, up to "a single loft block" above the fly floor and back down to the fly floor. A trim clamp or a "Sunday" (a circle of wire rope) is used to attach this sandbag to the "line set" to balance the load placed on the batten. The sandbags are usually filled to weigh slightly less than the load, making the line set "Batten Heavy". When the flyman wishes to fly a batten (scenery or lights) "In" (i.e., to the floor/deck), the flyman unties the "High" trim and allows the batten to travel "In" while the sandbags travel "Out" toward the grid. When the flyman wishes to fly the batten "Out", he pulls down on the operating lines (leaving them tied off at the pin rail at "Low" trim) and the batten flies out as the sand bag descends to the fly floor. This arrangement allows the flyman to control the speed of ascent and/or descent and provides greater safety for people on the stage below. The proper "Out/High" trim for the batten is set when the sand bag reaches the fly floor in its descent (adjustable) and the proper "In/Low" trim for the batten is established when the line set (previously tied off to the pin rail) is fully extended (adjustable). This makes it unnecessary to "spike" or "mark" either the line set or the lift line. The Hemp system relies on being slightly "batten heavy" to allow the load to travel to the floor/deck. Because the ropes are flexible there is physically no way to move/push the sandbags "Out" if the weight on both sides is equal.

1054:. Flame cut steel bricks are most common. In any particular fly system all counterweights typically share a common, standardized footprint that matches the system's arbors, which in turn are sized to conform to line set spacing. Counterweight systems are most often designed to use either 4 or 6-inch (150 mm) wide weights. Weights vary in thickness, typically in half-inch increments ranging from 1/2 to 2 inches (51 mm), with each thickness corresponding to a different mass. 1 in (25 mm) thick weights are most common. Counterweights are sometimes also known as bricks or simply steel. Often a rigging worker will be asked to load a number of inches of steel, which correlates to a specific mass. Weights are usually loaded from the loading bridge, but can also be loaded from the fly gallery or stage deck in some circumstances. 1755:

it keeps the set from being unbalanced in a position where it could run away. When it is batten-heavy (after the set is added, but before the counterweights) the arbor does not have anywhere to run away to as it is already at its grid stop (the upper end of the track). In cases where the set is too tall for the batten to be all the way in, it should be kept as far down as possible. It is always best to add the load in pieces as small as practical and counterweight them one at a time so the system can never get too out of balance. Improper loading procedure is a common cause of accidents in many theaters.

1061:, typically with 45-degree angle chamfers cut at two opposing corners. A slot is cut into each end of the weight so as to enable the weight to straddle, and be laterally secured by, the arbor rods. In order to facilitate removal of weights with angle cuts, it is customary to stack the weights in alternating orientations so that the square corners of any weight will be aligned with the angled corners of adjacent weights. This simplifies removal because the square corners of each weight protrude beyond the angled corners of the weight below, serving as handles that can be easily gripped, even with 588:(alongside the lift lines), where it terminates at the top of the arbor. The head and tension blocks are located above and below the full extent of the arbor's travel (movement), respectively, thereby enabling an operator to pull the operating line up or down to move the arbor. When the arbor is raised via the operating line, the lift lines slacken, which causes the batten to lower under its own weight (and the weight of its load, if any). Conversely, when the arbor is lowered, the lift lines increase in tension, which in turn causes the batten to rise. 1297: 133: 791: 543: 1285: 923: 1321: 1521: 931: 379: 1485: 1368: 783: 1580: 1497: 1309: 1509: 1572: 1552: 534: 1473: 1413: 1533: 1737:

1" diameter), and a thin wire rope (e.g. 1/4" diameter). One end of each length is attached together. The free thick end of the compensating line is attached to the underside of the arbor and the free thin end is attached to the top. As fly pipe lowers and the arbor rises, more of the thick heavy wire rope hangs beneath the arbor and compensates for the additional weight of the fly lines. This mechanism works well with T-track counterweight systems.

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at the grid level and the running block to the batten or arbor (whichever is overloaded). Where an engaging bar has been designed into the stage level locking rail, a portable electric capstan winch may be used to counteract an imbalanced counterweight line set. Pulling on (constricting) a rope wrapped a few times around the capstan, a drum spinning at a constant rate, generates enough traction (through friction) to tug the imbalanced load.

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prevalent grid decking in the 20th century. Today, large-opening heavy-duty steel bar grating is most common in new theatres. The grid deck surface is usually rated to support live loads as well as all anticipated dead-hung equipment and hemp and motorized (e.g., chain hoist) spot rigging. Its permeability facilitates the mounting of equipment and the passing of lift lines and electrical cables. Spot rigging is not feasible without a grid.

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near to the stage floor (flown in) by its associated line set. Battens typically stretch the width of the stage, parallel with the proscenium wall, and are maintained level (parallel to the stage deck) regardless of elevation. When a batten is flown all the way out (close to the grid) it is at high trim. When it is flown all the way in (usually to about 4 feet (1.2 m) above the stage deck) it is at low trim.

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arbor, before rising back up and terminating below the head block. In addition, the opposite end of a double-purchase operating line terminates at the fly gallery, off-stage wall, or stage deck, instead of the underside of the arbor, after passing through a block mounted at the underside of the arbor. The additional blocks result in the arbor moving at half the rate of the lift and operating lines.

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difficult to operate. In addition, double-purchase linesets are more expensive to install and maintain. For those reasons, double-purchase line sets are generally avoided, or limited to a few sets within a counterweight system, unless space issues preclude the use of a single-purchase system. The use of an arbor pit is an alternative approach to dealing with limited space for arbor travel.

355:), for data being sent to lights and other devices, as well as microphone jacks. Power often is fed to fixed electrics from terminal boxes at the grid deck via multicable. Single and double-purchase cable cradles mounted to lift lines can be used to drape the multicable, prolonging its lifespan and reducing the likelihood of conflict with adjacent line sets or lighting instruments. 234:

be flown. A batten is said to be "flying in" when it is being lowered toward the stage, and "flying out" when it is being raised into the fly space. Battens may be just a few feet in length or may extend from one wing (side) of the stage to the other. A batten is suspended from above by at least two lift lines, but long battens may require six or more lift lines.

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sized to weigh twice as much as the combined weight of the lift lines per linear foot. At arbor low trim, the compensating chain is fully supported by the wall. At arbor high trim, the chain is fully supported by the arbor. Paying out at half the speed of arbor travel, a compensating chain effectively eliminates imbalance along the full path of travel.

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the two-pipe arrangement of a truss batten. The center-to-center spacing of electric truss pipe, often from 1.5 to 2.5 feet (0.46 to 0.76 m), is typically greater than for a standard truss batten to allow for the proper mounting and focusing of lighting instruments. It is typical for an electric batten to support thousands of pounds of live load.

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typically used as a storage area for uncommitted counterweights that are available for loading onto counterweight arbors. Stage houses with especially tall fly towers, or double-purchase systems, may have two loading bridges, one stacked over the other to facilitate the loading of relatively tall arbors.

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When loading a batten, or arbor in a counterweight system, it is imperative to control the balance of a set. The lineset should be balanced before loading begins, then the batten flown in, the set added, and then the counterweight added from the loading bridge. The specific order is important because

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A grid deck is indispensable in professional and touring theatres, and desirable in all theatres with a fly tower, providing invaluable access and flexibility to fly systems. However, due to height limitations, not all fly towers are equipped with a grid. Transverse catwalks are sometimes provided as

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Point hoists using wire rope (GAC) are common, and steel band point hoists are also used. While generally more expensive than chain hoists, wire rope and steel band point hoists can operate at relatively high speeds. Wire rope spot line winches may be configured to pay out to the side (horizontally),

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is commonly used to provide mechanical advantage as the crank is turned, which coils a single line around a smooth or helically grooved drum. The drum line is connected to the lift lines with a clew, triangular plate with holes used for line terminations. From the clew, the lift lines run over a head

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The diameter of a loft block sheave for galvanized aircraft cable is typically at least 32 times the diameter of the cable. For example, 8-inch (200 mm) loft blocks are typically used with 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) GAC, but 12-inch (300 mm) blocks may be used to facilitate flying heavier line

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and pipe clamps, typically connect the lift lines of a line set to the batten they support. Those connections facilitate minor adjustments to, trim, the effective length of a lift line. By trimming the lift lines, loads are more evenly distributed to them. Turnbuckles are moused (secured against free

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Light ladder battens are a special type of electric batten oriented perpendicular to and beyond the proscenium opening, at the stage wings. They suspend light ladders (pipe frames) to which lighting fixtures may be attached. When provided, light ladder battens are usually of the truss type and may be

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An electric batten, a.k.a. lighting batten, may be a single-pipe or truss batten. Electric battens typically incorporate steel straps that are used as brackets for the support of electrical equipment such as connector strips (raceways). The same straps supporting electrical equipment may also connect

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Battens were originally made from wood, but have been replaced by steel pipe. In the United States they are typically fabricated from 21-foot (6.4 m) sections of 1.5-inch (38 mm) nominal diameter, 1.9-inch (48 mm) outside diameter, schedule 40 steel pipe that are spliced together (with

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Battens are linear members to which live loads may be attached for flying. Battens were made of wood originally, but today they are typically steel pipe. Loads mounted to battens include lights, curtains and scenery so they may travel vertically, be raised up into the fly space (flown out) or lowered

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Motor-assist systems very closely resemble standard counterweight fly systems described above, however a drum winch, typically mounted behind the locking rail below the arbor, is used to drive a steel cable purchase line. The purchase line is still terminated at the top and bottom of the arbor, but a

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that was once common in theatrical rigging, is the oldest type of fly system, certainly the simplest type of system. Recent research shows that the hemp system, although known for centuries, was not much used. The hemp system gained popularity first in the United States in the mid nineteenth century.

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A compensating wire rope line is attached to the top and to the underside of an arbor and runs through sheaves near those for the operating line. This wire rope line follows a similar path to the operating line. The compensating line is made of two lengths of wire rope: a thick heavy wire rope (e.g.

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Especially tall fly towers pose a balance problem for standard counterweight line sets. As a line set is lowered to the stage, the weight of the lift lines is added to the total weight of the line set that a rigger must be able to control. For example, a batten with 6 lift lines of ¼" aircraft cable

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The use of block and tackle or capstan winch is common to handle line sets that have significantly unbalanced loads. Block and tackle sets use the mechanical advantage (e.g., 6 : 1) of multi-purchase blocks to enable a crew to manually raise an imbalanced line set. The standing block is secured

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Arbor pits, where provided, are troughs at the stage edge that provide additional vertical travel to a counterweight system's arbors. Providing a counterweight arbor pit can help compensate for height limitations of a fly tower. The trough depth typically ranges from 2 to 10 feet. Shallower pits may

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The grid deck, gridiron deck, or grid, is a permeable working surface present at the top of many fly lofts that is used to support and provide access to many of a rigging system's components. Though originally constructed of wood, down-facing three-inch steel channels with three-inch gaps became the

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The fly loft, fly tower or fly space, is the large volume above the stage into which line set battens are flown, along with whatever loads they may be carrying. In a full-size fly space, the tower height is ideally at least 2.5 times the height of the proscenium. This allows a full-height curtain or

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As a lift line coils and uncoils from the drum of a drum hoist, its fleet angle (angle of a line between drum and sheave) changes. Excessive fleet angles (e.g., greater than 1.5–2.0°) cause unpredictable line behavior and can damage lines, blocks, and drums. As a result, fleet angles limit how close

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Counterweight arbors are commonly between 8 and 12 feet in length and can often support stacks of weights between 1500 and 2400 pounds, or beyond. In order to avoid unreasonably tall counterweight stacks at high capacity line sets, arbors may employ more than one counterweight stack. Such arbors use

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A counterweight arbor is a sturdy mechanical assembly that serves as a carriage for counterweights. In its simplest form, an arbor consists of two horizontal steel plates, a top plate and bottom plate, tied together by two vertical steel connecting rods. Counterweights are stacked as required on the

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Lift lines sometimes require diversion to avoid obstacles, support non-linear loads and battens, deal with excessive fleet angles, or be reoriented from the typical transverse path across the stage (e.g., for tab and light ladder line sets). Mule blocks are single or multi-line blocks able to divert

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In a counterweight rigging system the head block sheave is grooved for both the steel cable lift lines and an operating line, with the groove for the operating line provided at the middle of the multi-grooved sheave, between the lift lines. Counterweight head blocks mount atop or at the underside of

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are used to belay, temporarily tie off, the rope lines of a hemp system. Each belaying pin serves as an anchor to which the loose end of a rope may be quickly secured. A standardized method is used to tie off the rope so that it is subjected to friction from itself as well as from the pin rail, thus

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Hoist (winch) motors are either fixed speed or variable speed. Fixed speed motors are used at heavy-load and/or slow-speed line sets (e.g., electrics and orchestra shell line sets). Variable speed motors are used at line sets requiring dynamic motion that may be viewed by the audience (e.g., drapery

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In a conventional counterweight system the operating and lift lines terminate at the top of the arbor after passing over the head block. In a double-purchase system, however, after passing over the head block the operating and lift lines pass through another block, which is mounted to the top of the

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houses" lacked counterweight rigging, but today most manual rigging houses use a combination of counterweight rigging and, at least some, hemp rigging. For example, theaters that incorporate built-in, grid-based counterweight fly systems often will also support additional, spot hemp system line sets

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Flying rigs are used to fly scenery or performers in a more elaborate fashion than typical line sets. A flying rig typically allows horizontal as well as vertical movement by paying out individual lift lines to varying lengths and/or through the use of tracks. Flying rigs usually involve specialized

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In manual rigging, a line set's lift lines support weights opposite their connections to the batten in order to balance the weight of the batten and whatever it carries. The lift lines are reeved through a series of pulleys, known as blocks, that are mounted above the stage to fly loft structure. An

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A runaway is a moving lineset that cannot be safely controlled by its operator. Runaways can occur when the weight on the arbor is not equal to the weight of the batten and its load. Linesets are often intentionally unbalanced to facilitate quick flying in one direction and, in such cases, runaways

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The flyman's warning specifies what is moving and its direction of movement. For example, a particularly verbose call might be something like "lineset three, first electric flying in to the deck, downstage" (in USA) or "Heads onstage, Bar 3, LX 1 coming in." (in UK). In many theaters, all people on

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Chain hoists, more commonly referred to as chain motors, are the most common form of point hoist, especially with touring musical shows (e.g., rock-and-roll shows), but are relatively slow. Chain motors can be mounted at the grid to hoist a load from above, or mounted at the load to "climb" towards

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Line shaft hoists can also use yo-yo type devices instead of helically grooved drums. Yo-yo hoists are typically used where lighter loads are imposed (e.g., for operating an Austrian puff curtain). Because yo-yos lines are wrapped over themselves, the velocity and travel of the lines are relatively

1420:

Line shaft hoists are typically composed of an electric brake motor, line shaft (drive shaft) and evenly spaced single-line drums aligned above the batten pick points. By placing an individual drum over each pick point, line shaft sets have the advantage, over drum sets, of eliminating the need for

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type devices instead of helically grooved drums. The yo-yos lines are coiled into overlapping layers of cable in the narrow slots. The pile-up drum hoists are usually used in low load. As the hoists are narrower than helically grooved drum hoists, these can be used in the places with limited space.

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It is customary to apply paint (typically yellow) or colored tape to the weights that counterbalance the batten (pipe) to indicate that they should not be removed from the arbor. As an additional precaution, they may be strapped in with steel strapping. When a dedicated line set carries a permanent

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are cam-actuated devices through which a counterweight system operating line passes. The adjustable cam, or dog, inside the rope lock constricts and releases the operating line as the flyman lowers and raises a hand lever. Rope locks are mounted in series to the locking rail. A single rope lock can

730:

Truss battens, sometimes referred to as double battens, use a pipe-over-pipe arrangement (often 12 inches (300 mm) center-to-center), with vertical struts welded between the upper and lower pipes to provide rigidity. Truss battens generally permit greater loads than single-pipe battens and may

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Stage rigging techniques draw largely from ship rigging, as the earliest stagehands were actually sailors seeking employment while on shore leave. Because of this, there is common terminology between the two industries. For example, the stage is referred to as a deck in the manner of a ship's deck.

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The function of a typical line set is to fly (raise and lower) a slender beam (typically a steel pipe) known as a batten (or a bar in the UK) by hoisting it with lift lines (typically synthetic rope or steel cable). By hanging scenery, lighting, or other equipment on a batten, they in turn may also

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Spreader plates are thin steel plates with holes through which the arbor connecting rods pass. Spreader plates are lowered onto the counterweights in a distributed fashion as the counterweight stack is being built. Typically one spreader plate is placed on top of every two feet of counterweight in

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Synthetic rope can reduce or eliminate these issues, while providing greater strength by volume. Some riggers have complained that rope burn is more likely with synthetics, and that wear and damage on a synthetic rope is harder to detect. The two most common brands of polyester rope in the theatre

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to rigidly secure the light onto the batten, in conjunction with a safety cable that is looped around the batten to prevent the light from falling should the C-clamp connection fail. Non-traveling curtains (e.g., borders) often employ cloth ties, similar to shoestrings, that are hand tied onto the

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If the loft blocks are mounted to the grid deck, at the loft block wells, the system is called a grid-mount, or upright counterweight rigging system. If the loft blocks are mounted to roof beams (loft block beams), the system is called an under-hung counterweight rigging system. Under-hung systems

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One end of a compensating chain (typically roller chain) is suspended from the underside of the counterweight arbor, the opposite end mounted to the adjacent wall, at a point corresponding to half the travel of the arbor. The compensating chain is about half the length that the arbor travels, and

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Because fly systems involve large amounts of weight, and particularly because the weight is usually suspended above people, there are a number of common precautions taken to ensure safety and prevent injuries. Communication, inspection, and loading procedure are key to the safe operation of a fly

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To avoid lateral drift of the batten as the lift lines pay out of the grooved drums, the helical groove orientation on the drums of the line shaft may be alternated between drums to balance competing fleet angles. However the elimination of drift by this method is typically compromised by limited

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Counterweights are heavy objects that are used to balance the lineset loads in a fly system. In hemp systems, a counterweight consists of one or more sandbags, whereas counterweight systems employ metal bricks as counterweights. The term counterweight is commonly used to refer specifically to the

946:(pronounced "shiv"), steel side plates, spacers, shaft, flange bearings, mounting angles and clips, etc. Blocks are sized based on anticipated live loads, operating speeds, line type and other factors. Sheaves were traditionally fabricated of cast iron, but steel and nylon sheaves are now common. 812:

Lift lines carry and transfer the loads of a fly system to the fly system infrastructure. The lift lines for manual rigging run from the batten up to loft blocks, across the stage to a head block, and down to the counterweight balancing the load of the line set. When running horizontally, between

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Double purchase counterweight systems are sometimes used where the vertical travel of the counterweight arbor would be inadequate due to limited fly space or stage-level wing space. In systems of this type, the operating and lift lines are double-purchased so that the batten will travel twice the

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Another hand line, known as a jack line, may be used to lift the sandbags if they are heavier than the batten load. (UNSAFE condition) The jack line, which runs up to a loft block and back down to the trim clamp, is tied off to a belaying pin adjacent to the one used for the line sets lift lines,

510:

In a typical hemp system, a "line set" consists of multiple hemp lines running from a batten above the stage up to the grid, through loft blocks to a headblock and then down to the fly floor, where they are tied off in a group to a belaying pin on the pin rail. The lift lines and hand (operating)

253:

Together, a series of parallel line sets regularly spaced up and down stage, commonly at 6 in (150 mm), 8 in (200 mm), or 9 in (230 mm) centers, comprise the bulk of most fly systems. Theatrical rigging systems are made up of hemp, counterweight and/or automated line

1720:

Unbalanced loads are of great concern in manual rigging. Minor imbalance is sometimes desirable, for example so that as an operating line is let out a line set will fly in of its own accord. However, as it is common for many thousands of pounds of equipment and scenery to be flown above cast and

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Loft block wells are ten inch gaps between pairs of face-to-face steel channels flush with the grid deck that occur beneath each loft block beam. The loft blocks of a hemp, or grid-mount counterweight, rigging system can mount to the loft block well channels. The loft block wells may also act as

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A moving drum hoist, or traveling drum hoist, is a variation on the traditional drum hoist. Moving drum hoists effectively eliminate the fleet angle between drum and block by shifting the drum along its axis as it spins. The amount of shift per drum revolution is equal to the pitch of the drum's

961:

A Loft block is an overhead block that supports a single lift line. A loft block supports and redirects a lift line from the batten to the head block of a line set. Under-hung loft blocks typically mount to loft block beams (fly loft roof beams). Upright loft blocks typically mount to loft block

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of various types (e.g., line shaft, chain motor, etc.) are used. A conventional counterweight system may be automated by the incorporation of a motor and controls, in what is commonly called a motor-assist system. By using counterweight in such a manner, motor sizes can be kept relatively small.

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A pin rail, originally a wood beam, is typically a large-diameter round steel tube with vertical through-holes that accept belaying pins used in a hemp rigging system. Depending on the pin rail design, the pins may be removable or permanently fixed to the rail. Pin rails are typically installed

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to operate the fly system. The fly gallery elevation is typically at about proscenium height, providing a good view of the stage and fly loft. Fly galleries may be provided stage left and right, or at just one side. Where provided at both sides of the stage they may be connected by a cross-over

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A new type of arbor was introduced by Thern Stage Equipment in 2010. It is referred to as a front loading counterweight arbor. This arbor has shelves and a gate to secure the counterweights in the arbor. Spreader plates are not required with the front loading arbor. The arbor counterweights are

537:

Graphic depiction of a single lineset and the parts of a counterweight system. (A) Hoisting cables, (B) Turnbuckles, (C) Purchase line, (D) Arbor rod, (E) Spreader plates, (F) Cut steel counterweight, (G) Rope stop/lock (brake)/Lock rail, (H) Locking safety ring, (I) Tension sheave (block). Not

399:

A less common use for the fly system is the use of a focus chair system. This is a system where a small chair with fall protection equipment is suspended from a track that runs the length of a batten to which it is mounted. An electrician sits on the chair, and is flown out to the height of the

262:

Line sets are typically general purpose in function, meaning they can perform any number of functions which vary depending upon the requirements of a particular theatre production. For example, a general purpose line set can usually be quickly transformed into a drapery or scenery line set, but

1615:

Specific to a stage house using a counterweight system, the loading bridge, or loading gallery, is a catwalk vertically positioned below the headlock beam, and above the fly gallery. The loading bridge is used to add or remove counterweights from arbors. The floor of the loading bridge is also

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Building codes generally require that fly system beam design meets the L/360 rule: beams shall not deflect by more than the length of a span divided by 360. For example, a 30-foot (9.1 m) head block beam should not deflect more than 1 in (25 mm) under the system design's maximum

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Spreader plates serve to maintain consistent spacing between the arbor rods to ensure reliable containment of the counterweights under normal operating conditions. Also, in the event of a "runaway" (loss of control of an unbalanced lineset), the spreader plates will prevent the arbor rods from

1026:

Tension blocks are single-sheave blocks located at the lower end of the arbor guide track, beneath the arbor. The operating line is reeved through the tension block from the bottom of the arbor through the rope lock. Tension blocks typically ride vertically along the arbor guide system tracks,

1008:

The diameter of a head block sheave used for galvanized aircraft cable is typically at least 48 times the diameter of the cable. For example, 12-inch (300 mm) head blocks are typically used with 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) GAC, but 16-inch (410 mm) blocks may be used to facilitate flying

587:

The arbor's vertical position is controlled by means of a rope known as the operating line, hand line, or purchase line. The operating line forms a loop by running from the bottom of the arbor down to and around the tension block, through the rope lock, up and over the head block and back down

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The grid deck allows access to the "head block beam" and "loft block beams" of counterweight systems. Spanning from the proscenium wall to the upstage wall, these beams support the dead and live loads of a fly system. As per their names, counterweight system head blocks and loft blocks may be

461:

Counterweight rigging replaces the hemp rope and sandbags of rope line (hemp) rigging with wire rope (steel cable) and metal counterweights, respectively. Those substitutions permit the flying of greater loads with a high degree of control, but with a loss of flexibility inherent to most hemp

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In order to compensate for the reduced arbor travel, the loaded arbors must weigh twice as much as the batten load, resulting in arbors that are twice as tall. The additional mass on the arbor increases inertia, and the additional blocks increase friction, resulting in linesets that are more

568:

In a typical counterweight fly system, an arbor (carriage) is employed to balance the weight of the batten and attached loads to be flown above the stage. The arbor, which carries a variable number of metal counterweights, moves up and down vertical tracks alongside an offstage wall. In some

591:

The combined weight of the arbor and its counterweights initially matches that of the batten so that when the batten is not being raised or lowered, it will tend to remain motionless at any arbitrary elevation above the stage. As more weight is added to the batten (in the form of curtains,

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and tabs, as well as associated tracks, in order to mask and frame the stage and provide backdrops. Line sets are sometimes dedicated to particular draperies, such as the main (grand) curtain and main border (valance) that mask the proscenium opening, but drapery locations can often vary.

1404:

Pile-up drum hoists can be mounted in many locations including ceiling, floor or wall mounting. Typical applications are to have a pile-up drum hoist with many pulleys to control a batten. Since the line is piled up on itself, this type of drum hoist provides a zero fleet angle solution.

600:, and rigging hardware), the system is rebalanced by adding more counterweights to the arbor. When the system is properly balanced, an unassisted operator (flyman) can lift the batten and its arbitrarily heavy load from the stage ("fly it out", in theatrical jargon), completely above the 1592:

directly mounted to these beams. The head block beam is situated directly above the loading gallery. The loft block beams are spaced to match the "pick points" of the lift lines suspending the battens. The loft block beams may also be used to suspend the grid deck support structure.

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are used to terminate counterweight system lift lines, after the cable has been looped around a thimble. Cable clips terminations maintain less load capacity than swage fittings, typically require three clips, and are greatly reduced in load capacity if the installer happened to

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to always call (shout) out a warning before moving a lineset so as to alert personnel (e.g., rehearsing performers and technicians) who are on the stage. People on stage typically acknowledge the operator's warning by yelling out a confirmation that the warning was heard.

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In under-hung counterweight systems that use upright head blocks the series of loft blocks immediately following the head blocks are typically multi-line loft blocks instead of single-line to account for built-in vertical misalignment between head blocks and loft blocks.

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Head blocks are overhead multi-line blocks used for the lift lines and operating lines. Head blocks support and redirect all the lift lines from loft blocks to sand bags (of a hemp set), counterweight arbor (of a counterweight set) or hoist (of an automated line set).

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Operating lines, also known as hand lines or purchase lines are what the crew uses to manipulate manual fly systems. Operating lines are connected to sandbags (in a hemp system) or the top and bottom of arbors (in a counterweight system). Operating lines are typically

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A tracked guide system is sometimes referred to as a T-bar wall, as the tracks are commonly made of steel T-sections. Aluminum arbor guide tracks are a relatively recent alternative, often using a J profile, instead of a T profile, to facilitate system installation.

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is known for his innovations in manual flying rigs, especially those used in theatrical productions of Peter Pan. Automated flying rigs, which synchronize multiple point hoists, are becoming more common as motor control systems become safer and more sophisticated.

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The side plates of blocks preferably fully cover the profile of (fully enclose) the sheaves to lend the block greater stability and limit the sheave's (and crew's) potential for damage from foreign objects. Nevertheless, blocks are available with exposed sheaves.

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Electrical line sets, commonly called electrics, are used to suspend and control lighting instruments and, in many cases, microphones and special effects equipment as well. Electrics may be temporarily "wired" with drop boxes (electrical boxes with outlets) or

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internal pipe sleeves and bolts) to provide a continuous member that stretches the width of a stage. Schedule 80 pipe is also used. Standard pipe battens are typically designed to support 15 to 30 pounds (6.8 to 13.6 kg) of live load per foot of length.

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to be flown. Larger, multi-use theaters that cannot have a static shell often make use of the fly system in this way. Before being flown the cloud is sometimes pivoted to a vertical orientation to minimize the space it requires for storage in the fly loft.

844:. The rope was often referred to simply as manila. Use of manila had a number of issues. Splinters of fiber could get into hands and eyes. Humidity and temperature changes could significantly affect the length of the rope. Over time the rope slowly rots. 659:

rope lock is not used on the motor-assist line set. Weight on the arbor helps balance the batten load so that hoist motor size can remain relatively small. It is often feasible to retrofit a standard counterweight line set to become a motor-assist set.

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Tab battens are oriented perpendicular to the proscenium opening, parallel to and just off stage of light ladder battens. When provided, they are single-pipe or truss battens for the support of tab draperies, which are used to mask the stage wings.

458:), and was once thought to have stemmed from the nautical rigging. However, recent research has shown that this is not the case, Counterweight rigging evolved separately from hemp rigging and generally handles scenery in a more controlled fashion. 1650:

permanently at the onstage edge of the fly gallery(ies), extending from the proscenium wall to upstage wall, sometimes in a stacked (rail over rail) arrangement. Mobile pin rails may also be used and are bolted down to the stage deck where needed.

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Permanently wired electrical line sets are known as dedicated electrics, fixed electrics or house electrics. In addition to providing dimmed and switched outlets for lighting fixtures, connector strips may provide low-voltage controls (e.g., via

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known as galvanized aircraft cable (GAC). Oil-free 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) diameter, 7 x 19 strand, GAC is the most common counterweight system lift line. It has a minimum cable breaking strength of approximately 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg).

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Point hoists, also known as spot line winches, control a single lift line and are commonly used for automated spot rigging or flying rigs. A point hoist may operate in solitude, or in unison with other point hoists to comprise a line set.

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Counterweight rigging systems use either tracked or wire-guided arbor guide systems. The tracks or wire guides limit lateral movement of the arbors during arbor travel. Wire-guided systems have lower capacities and are not in common use.

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distance of the arbor. In other words, for every foot of arbor travel, the batten travels two feet. This often results in the arbors remaining well above the stage deck, leaving the otherwise occupied wing space usable for cast and crew.

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that travels 50 feet effectively weighs about 40 pounds more when flown in than when it is flown out. To address this issue, a compensating mechanism may be added to the counterweight system. Either chain or thick wire-rope may be used.

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helical groove. With the fleet angle problem resolved, moving drum hoists can combine drum and head block into a single, relatively compact, unit for mounting to fly loft structure, with a corresponding reduction of installation cost.

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Hoists of various types are used in manual automated rigging systems. The terms hoist and winch are often used interchangeably in theatre jargon. Hoists are generally assumed to be motorized unless "manual" is used as a descriptor.

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the path of those lines. Mule blocks may be permanently installed as part of counterweight rigging systems, or used for spot rigging, where they are often equipped with swivel-pivots to divert lines across a large range of angles.

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A dead-haul drum hoist uses the single drum to support all the lift lines running from the head block of a line set. The lift lines neatly wrap and unwrap in a side-by-side arrangement on the drum as it is spun by the motor.

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Drum hoists are typically composed of an electric brake motor and a multi-line helically grooved drum. Helical drums are preferable to smooth drums for cable longevity and the precise and repeatable control of travel.

648:, move extremely heavy line-sets, and significantly limit the required population of the fly crew. Despite those potential benefits, most hoists can fly line sets at only a fraction of the speed that an experienced 848:

world are Stage-Set X (parallel-fiber core) and Multiline II (braided strand). Over time polyester rope became more popular than manila in hemp systems and for use as the operating lines in counterweight systems.

1629:

catwalk at the upstage wall. It is possible to load arbors (add or remove counterweights) at the fly gallery, but standard practice is to load arbors at the loading bridge. (A vertical cinematic montage from the

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Fly system infrastructure consists of the relatively permanent load-bearing and load-transferring structures of a stage house. The infrastructure, generally fabricated of structural steel members, is sized by a

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Automated rigging sometimes uses weights to help balance line set loads in a manner similar to manual counterweight rigging. Otherwise it relies solely on the motor power of an electric hoist to fly a line set.

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Digital control systems incorporating computers or programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have become commonplace as well, bringing their advantages of high accuracy, safety and repeatability to fly systems.

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Automated systems are becoming more prominent. They have the potential advantages of relatively high precision, speed and ease of control, but tend to be significantly more expensive than manual systems.

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A permanently installed fire curtain line set, though not used for productions, is a typical element of a theatrical rigging system installation. Building and fire codes typically require that either a

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Other expressions and technology that overlap the nautical and theatrical rigging worlds include: batten, belay, block, bo'sun, cleat, clew, crew, hitch, lanyard, pinrail, purchase, trapeze, and trim.

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loading condition. Beam design using the L/360 rule typically results in beams with a yield-strength significantly higher than the maximum loading condition, effectively providing a factor of safety.

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block and loft blocks down to a batten. The clew may be wire-guided to limit lateral play. Drill-operable hand winches permit the handle to be removed so that an electric drill may operate the hoist.

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It soon gained popularity in England, as it was inexpensive and provided a great deal of flexibility for moving scenery. Hemp systems are also known as rope line systems, or simply as rope systems.

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stage are expected to respond with "thank you." Upon completion of the lineset motion, some operators may call again (e.g., "lineset three locked") to announce that the lineset has stopped moving.

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A fly system winch mounted to the floor behind the locking rail. This winch, which operates a high capacity electric lineset, has a quad-wide arbor and is rated for 1,200-pound (540 kg) loads.

877:, such as the clove hitch and half hitch, are used for rope line terminations. For example, hitches are used to terminate hemp lift lines at battens and operating lines at counterweight arbors. 864:

Load-bearing lines must be safely tied off, locked, terminated and/or connected to other rigging components to ensure line control and the safety of a fly system. Various methods are employed.

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The top of the arbor is permanently suspended by several wire rope lift lines, made of galvanized steel aircraft cable (GAC). The lift lines run from the top of the arbor up to the top of the

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A flat tie bar at the rear of the arbor also connects the top and bottom plates. Guide shoes at the top and bottom of the tie bar guide the arbor along tracks mounted to the side stage wall.

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not require as many lift lines due to improved ability to span between lift lines. Truss battens are typically designed to support 25 to 50 pounds (11 to 23 kg) of live load per foot.

172:, stage effects and, sometimes, people. Systems are typically designed to fly components between clear view of the audience and out of view, into the large space, the fly loft, above the 435:

Fly systems are broadly categorized as manual or automated (motorized). Manual fly systems are more specifically categorized as "hemp" (a.k.a. rope line) or "counterweight" systems.

366:, an electric may take the form of a flying bridge (catwalk) that provides a walkable platform for electrician access to fixtures and effects. Flying bridges may also be used for 611:, have more than 100 independent, parallel counterweight line sets, while smaller venues may only have a few line sets for the most frequently adjusted loads, such as electrics. 362:

Dedicated electrics typically employ truss battens (pipe over pipe) to facilitate cable snaking and to maximize lighting positions. In large professional theatres, such as the

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limit the types and quantity of rigging permitted in a theatre based on stage configuration. Theatrical rigging standards are developed and maintained by organizations such as

525:, where lift lines must be frequently relocated. They are much less expensive and easier to install than counterweight fly systems, though somewhat more difficult to operate. 798:

Lines are the ropes, cables (wire ropes) and proof coil chains that enable a fly system to function. Steel bands are a relatively new type of line used in steel band hoists.

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There are normally at least three electrical line sets provided above the stage, with one just upstage of the proscenium wall, one mid-stage, and one just downstage of the

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Manual rigging is also possible with hand (and drill-operable) hoists (winches), but relatively limited operating speeds preclude their use for most running applications.

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of a counterweight system are mounted. Locking rails are located on the stage deck and/or fly gallery and typically extend from the proscenium wall to the upstage wall.

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for use in conjunction with a loft block, so that the position of the relatively heavy winch can be static and only the loft block need be spotted above the pick point.

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In addition to guiding the arbors, a tracked counterweight system is provided with bump stops at arbor high and low trim that establish the limits of an arbor's travel.

713:, ends of a batten, beyond the last lift line pick points, are generally no longer than 3 feet (0.9 m) unless a bridle is used to effectively limit the cantilever. 1496: 1284: 1258:

the stack. Finally, a locking plate is lowered onto the completed, interleaved stack of counterweights and spreader plates and secured in place with a thumbscrew.

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Rope line (hemp) head block well channels sit atop the grid deck and are used for mounting hemp system head blocks. They are situated above the pinrail(s) below.

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is mounted to line sets in order to be flown in and out so as to quickly change set pieces during the course of a performance. For example, painted soft and hard

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lower-capacity fly systems, cable guide wires are used instead of tracks to guide the arbors and limit their horizontal play during vertical travel (movement).

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systems. Flexibility is lost because most components of a hemp system may be repositioned, while counterweight system components are relatively fixed. Old "

662:

Dead-haul systems fly the entire load placed on a line set without the assistance of counterweight. Therefore, dead-haul motor sizes are relatively large.

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set piece to be located completely out of view of the audience without exceeding the travel distance of standard (single-purchase) counterweight arbors.

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A fly gallery is a catwalk running from the proscenium wall to upstage wall to which a pinrail and/or locking rail may be mounted used by the

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wells (grid-level structural channels). A spot block is a readily movable loft block for mounting anywhere on the grid deck for spot rigging.

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First introduced in Austria in 1888, counterweight rigging systems are the most common fly systems in performing arts facilities today.

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The use of a particular type of fly system in a theater usually does not preclude the use of other rigging methods in the same theater.

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Blocks are either upright, when mounted atop a support structure, or under-hung, when mounted to the underside of a support structure.

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Loft blocks may be equipped with idler pulleys or sag bars to limit the sag of horizontally running lift lines on under-hung systems.

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When a line set has a predetermined, relatively permanent, function it is known as a dedicated line set. Line set functions include:

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during the design of a new theatre, or theatre renovation. Rigging system infrastructure ultimately limits a fly system's capacity.

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load (e.g., main drape, orchestra cloud, etc.) the counterweight balancing the additional load may be treated in a similar fashion.

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Battens are suspended by evenly spaced lift lines, with pick points generally 9 to 12 feet (3 to 4 m) apart. The unsupported,

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Rope line (hemp) head blocks are typically upright blocks that mount to the rope line head block well channels at the grid level.

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fanouts dropped from the grid or draped from a fly gallery, or permanently wired with connector strips (specialized electrical

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have the advantages of maintaining a clear grid deck surface for spot rigging and facilitating crew movement across the grid.

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once most commonly used to make the ropes) exclusively use the centuries-old tradition of ropes, pulleys and sandbags to fly

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be accessible only from above at the stage deck. Deeper pits are sometimes accessible from a trap room or orchestra pit.

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Drum hoists are used for motor-assist, engaging an operating line, and dead-haul, engaging the lift lines, applications.

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typically secure a static unbalanced load to 50 pounds (23 kg). Rope locks are not intended to slow a running line.

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multiple-width top and bottom plates with a tie bar and pair of connecting rods provided at each counterweight stack.

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to help ensure the protection of cast and crew. In other words, a line intended to support 100 pounds should have a

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ensuring a secure connection that is unlikely to fail. Belaying pins are typically made of hickory wood or steel.

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loft blocks and head block, lift lines typically follow a transverse path (from side to side) across the stage.

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rotation) to prevent the jaws from slowly unscrewing over time due to vibrations incurred during normal use.

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Manual hoists, or hand winches, are typically composed of a drum, gear box, and crank (operating handle). A

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Pulling on the hand lines of a hemp set flies a line set out. Pulling on the jack line flies a line set in.

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arbor's bottom plate to balance the line set load, with the weights held in place by the connecting rods.

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clear openings through which the lift lines of under-hung counterweight, or automated, systems may pass.

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and scenery line sets). Scenery hoists commonly allow travel at rates of hundreds of feet per minute.

576:, around the head block, across the stage to evenly spaced loft blocks, then down, terminating at the 2262: 2081: 942:

used to support and direct lift and operating lines. A block consists of a grooved wheel, known as a

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It is standard practice for overhead rigging lines and hardware to be rated with at least an 8-times

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bending outward, and thus releasing the counterweights upon arbor impact at the end of its travel.

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or water deluge system be installed to separate an audience from the stage in the event of a fire.

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Grid-less fly tower with catwalks. Battens (yellow), under-hung blocks and lift lines are visible.

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Loads are attached to the batten in various ways. Most lighting fixtures, for example, utilize a

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for spot-rigging (to spot something, in theatre jargon, simply means to (re)position something).

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Except for during performances and some rehearsals, a standard practice in theatre is for the

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A stage-level locking rail may be provided with an engaging bar for a portable capstan winch.

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fitted with heavy-duty track to permit repositioning of the light ladders up and down stage.

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crew, major imbalance is a grave hazard, and, if left unaddressed, can result in runaways.

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Counterweight arbor viewed from below. The guide rail can be seen at the rear of the arbor.

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pads on the guide shoes limit friction between guide shoe and track as the arbor travels.

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The lift lines of a counterweight rigging systems are typically a specific type of steel

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There are two general categories of motorized fly systems, motor-assist and dead-haul.

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and out of view of the house, sometimes to heights in excess of 70 feet (21 m).

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drops) and are commonly used to depict settings. Also, three-dimensional sets (e.g.,

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instead of being fixed, to allow for variation in the length of the operating line.

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converting a general purpose line set into an electrical line set is more involved.

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Channel-type grid, viewed from below with drapes, battens, and electrics visible.

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a dead-haul drum hoist can be mounted to the head block (usually about 10 feet).

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Electrical hoists (also referred to as winches) can facilitate coordination with

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Counterweight lift lines typically connect to the tops of arbors with shackles.

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to fly (hoist) quickly, quietly and safely components such as curtains, lights,

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Nobody Looks Up: The History of the Counterweight Rigging System: 1500 to 1925

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Fly systems are often used in conjunction with other theatre systems, such as

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are also used to drape the multicable feeding dedicated electric line sets.

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A locking rail is typically a steel angle or rectangular tube to which the

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theatres with stage houses designed specifically to handle the significant

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to the fly gallery is a striking feature of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.)

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Designing With Light: An Introduction to Stage Lighting, Fourth Edition

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Linesets are manually operated from a locking rail such as this one.

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equipment and techniques operated by a relatively experienced crew.

319: 35: 1625: 636: 243: 2232: 1641: 580:, a load-bearing pipe that spans much of the width of the stage. 490: 451: 230:

The line set is the fundamental machine of a typical fly system.

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the head block beam, depending on the beam's vertical position.

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Drum hoists and head blocks ready to be installed at a theater.

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Channel-type grid with upright blocks and lift lines visible.

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When viewed from the top, metal counterweight is basically

1040: 874: 463: 439: 1607:, not burdened by height limitations, has two grid decks. 386:

It is not uncommon for the panels, known as clouds, of an

238:

operating line (a.k.a. hand line or purchase line) allows

1886:"Supplements" "Modern Opera Houses and Theatres" Volume 3 1749: 614: 1603:

compensation for the lack of a grid. San Francisco's

899:. Both swage and cable clip terminations permanently 1326:

Spreader plates, used to maintain arbor rod spacing.

450:

in and out. Hemp rigging incorporates many nautical

1901: 1266:loaded from the front, rather than from the sides. 278:such as travelers, teasers (a.k.a. borders), legs, 187:and stage turntables, to physically manipulate the 60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 1863:. Southern Illinois University Press. p. 65. 1314:Top of an arbor, with attached lift lines visible. 1302:A large counterweight arbor with multiple stacks. 2417: 1904:Theatrical Design and Production, Fourth Edition 343:. Additional electrics are typically desirable. 840:Lift and operating lines were commonly made of 528: 373: 2037: 1998:Cinematic montage reaches to the Fly Gallery. 1238:Steel to lead density ratio is 1 : 1.448 515:either at the same, or a secondary, pin rail. 2023: 1855: 538:shown: head sheave, loft sheaves, and batten. 269: 136:Fly loft of the Theater Bielefeld in Germany 2000:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzcjsaerkDM 1906:. Mayfield Publishing Company. p. 56. 1538:Upright loft blocks on a channel-type grid. 631: 2030: 2016: 1662:Locking rail with arbors, counterweights, 1490:Loading bridge. Weights are seen on floor. 521:Hemp systems can be easily configured for 400:electrics, to focus lighting instruments. 1835:. Toronto: Grid Well Press. p. 153. 1826: 1824: 1822: 609:Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center) 120:Learn how and when to remove this message 1956:"Applications (Electric Pilewind Hoist)" 1796: 1771: 1657: 1640: 1578: 1570: 1550: 1411: 1399:Yo-yo, pile-up, or pilewind, hoists use 1366: 983: 975: 929: 921: 789: 781: 773: 765: 688: 635: 556: 541: 532: 489: 377: 318: 194:Theatrical rigging is most prevalent in 131: 1925: 1923: 1830: 394: 14: 2418: 1819: 1750:Counterweight system loading procedure 1666:(red) and pins for spot lines visible. 693:Battens near the grid in the flyspace. 485: 417: 314: 254:sets able to serve various functions. 2011: 1897: 1895: 1883: 1861:Stage Rigging Handbook, Third Edition 1169: 1077: 1009:heavier line sets (e.g., electrics). 257: 2291:Parabolic aluminized reflector light 1920: 1831:Boychuk, R. W. (Rick) (March 2015). 615:Double-purchase counterweight system 498:A hemp fly system, so named for the 58:adding citations to reliable sources 29: 1715: 1698: 290: 24: 1892: 1776:(Third ed.). Harper and Row. 25: 2452: 1765: 1610: 1449: 1429:difficult to accurately control. 1073:Standard cut steel mass schedule 1030: 934:Under-hung loft & mule blocks 770:Hand and lift lines at T-bar wall 607:Some large theatres, such as the 276:theater drapes and stage curtains 2401: 1531: 1519: 1507: 1495: 1483: 1471: 1319: 1307: 1295: 1283: 494:A small pin-rail at stage level. 454:techniques and equipment (e.g., 34: 2402: 2276:Ellipsoidal reflector spotlight 1992: 1978:"Pilewind Hoists (Yo-Yo Style)" 1888:. London: Batsford. p. 55. 1653: 837:inch (19 mm) in diameter. 382:Shell cloud line sets flown out 246:to raise and lower the batten. 225: 45:needs additional citations for 1970: 1948: 1877: 1849: 1790: 1619: 1558:, exterior showing fly towers. 1234: 926:Grid-mount upright loft blocks 794:Lift line connection to batten 13: 1: 1797:Gillette, J. Michael (2003). 1758: 1645:A pin-rail above stage level. 1583:Underhung system without grid 906:Trim chains and shackles, or 673: 573: 403: 364:Philadelphia Academy of Music 202:associated with fly systems. 160:and related devices within a 27:Rigging above a theater stage 1902:J. Michael Gillette (2000). 1689: 1680: 1566: 1036:metal counterweight bricks. 546:Counterweight fly system at 529:Counterweight rigging system 442:houses" (a reference to the 374:Orchestra enclosure line set 7: 1740: 1636: 1546: 786:Arbor top plate connections 295:In many stage productions, 10: 2457: 1746:are more likely to occur. 1575:Underhung system with grid 1416:Drum on a line shaft hoist 890:(compression) fittings or 682: 678: 323:Electric line set flown in 270:Drapery and track line set 2399: 2358: 2323: 2261: 2190: 2164: 2155: 2105: 2069: 2058: 2049: 1345: 1241: 1212: 1192: 1172: 1164: 1157: 1139: 1121: 1103: 1085: 1082: 1039:Metal counterweights are 917: 548:FirstOntario Concert Hall 146:theatrical rigging system 2253:Theatrical smoke and fog 2228:Lighting control console 1931:"Pile Up (Yo-yo) Hoists" 1884:Sachs, Edwin O. (1896). 1605:War Memorial Opera House 1556:National Theatre, London 966:sets (e.g., electrics). 903:(deform) the wire rope. 809:of at least 800 pounds. 761: 632:Automated rigging system 430: 274:Line sets often suspend 561:Locking rail and arbors 1667: 1646: 1584: 1576: 1559: 1417: 1372: 989: 981: 980:Under-hung head blocks 935: 927: 795: 787: 779: 771: 694: 652:can achieve manually. 641: 562: 554: 539: 495: 383: 324: 137: 1661: 1644: 1582: 1574: 1554: 1415: 1370: 987: 979: 933: 925: 897:"saddle a dead horse" 827:inch (16 mm) or 793: 785: 777: 769: 692: 639: 560: 545: 536: 493: 381: 322: 135: 2286:Intelligent lighting 1275:Counterweight arbors 717:Standard pipe batten 395:Focus chair line set 54:improve this article 2243:Stage pin connector 2177:Lighting technician 2097:Technical direction 1457:structural engineer 1074: 988:Upright head blocks 744:Light ladder batten 486:Hemp rigging system 418:Fire safety curtain 315:Electrical line set 208:occupational safety 200:dead and live loads 2436:Parts of a theatre 2182:Master electrician 1668: 1647: 1585: 1577: 1560: 1418: 1373: 1072: 990: 982: 936: 928: 796: 788: 780: 778:Belayed rope lines 772: 695: 642: 598:lighting equipment 563: 555: 540: 496: 448:theatrical scenery 384: 325: 297:theatrical scenery 258:Line set functions 138: 2441:Stage terminology 2413: 2412: 2386:Theatrical makeup 2319: 2318: 2233:Socapex connector 2151: 2150: 1870:978-0-8093-2741-6 1772:Gillette (1981). 1232: 1231: 807:safe working load 552:Hamilton, Ontario 130: 129: 122: 104: 16:(Redirected from 2448: 2405: 2404: 2162: 2161: 2077:Set construction 2067: 2066: 2032: 2025: 2018: 2009: 2008: 2002: 1996: 1990: 1989: 1987: 1985: 1974: 1968: 1967: 1965: 1963: 1952: 1946: 1945: 1943: 1941: 1935: 1927: 1918: 1917: 1899: 1890: 1889: 1881: 1875: 1874: 1853: 1847: 1846: 1828: 1817: 1816: 1794: 1788: 1787: 1769: 1716:Unbalanced loads 1699:Calling movement 1535: 1523: 1511: 1499: 1487: 1475: 1408:Line shaft hoist 1323: 1311: 1299: 1287: 1237: 1153: 1152: 1148: 1145: 1135: 1134: 1130: 1127: 1117: 1116: 1112: 1109: 1099: 1098: 1094: 1091: 1075: 1071: 836: 835: 831: 826: 825: 821: 685:Batten (theater) 500:manila hemp rope 456:block and tackle 311:) may be flown. 291:Scenery line set 125: 118: 114: 111: 105: 103: 62: 38: 30: 21: 2456: 2455: 2451: 2450: 2449: 2447: 2446: 2445: 2416: 2415: 2414: 2409: 2395: 2354: 2326: 2315: 2281:Fresnel lantern 2257: 2186: 2172:Lighting design 2147: 2101: 2082:Scenic painting 2061: 2054: 2045: 2036: 2006: 2005: 1997: 1993: 1983: 1981: 1976: 1975: 1971: 1961: 1959: 1958:. Stage Lifting 1954: 1953: 1949: 1939: 1937: 1933: 1929: 1928: 1921: 1914: 1900: 1893: 1882: 1878: 1871: 1854: 1850: 1843: 1829: 1820: 1813: 1795: 1791: 1784: 1770: 1766: 1761: 1752: 1743: 1718: 1701: 1692: 1683: 1656: 1639: 1622: 1613: 1569: 1549: 1544: 1543: 1542: 1539: 1536: 1527: 1524: 1515: 1512: 1503: 1500: 1491: 1488: 1479: 1476: 1452: 1425:batten travel. 1348: 1332: 1331: 1330: 1327: 1324: 1315: 1312: 1303: 1300: 1291: 1288: 1277: 1276: 1244: 1170:Lineal density 1159: 1154: 1150: 1146: 1143: 1141: 1136: 1132: 1128: 1125: 1123: 1118: 1114: 1110: 1107: 1105: 1100: 1096: 1092: 1089: 1087: 1079: 1033: 920: 833: 829: 828: 823: 819: 818: 764: 735:Electric batten 687: 681: 676: 634: 617: 531: 488: 433: 420: 406: 397: 388:orchestra shell 376: 317: 293: 272: 260: 228: 164:that enables a 126: 115: 109: 106: 63: 61: 51: 39: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 2454: 2444: 2443: 2438: 2433: 2428: 2411: 2410: 2400: 2397: 2396: 2394: 2393: 2388: 2383: 2378: 2373: 2368: 2366:Costume design 2362: 2360: 2356: 2355: 2353: 2352: 2347: 2342: 2337: 2331: 2329: 2321: 2320: 2317: 2316: 2314: 2313: 2308: 2303: 2298: 2293: 2288: 2283: 2278: 2273: 2271:Beam projector 2267: 2265: 2259: 2258: 2256: 2255: 2250: 2245: 2240: 2235: 2230: 2225: 2220: 2215: 2213:Color scroller 2210: 2205: 2200: 2194: 2192: 2188: 2187: 2185: 2184: 2179: 2174: 2168: 2166: 2159: 2157:Stage lighting 2153: 2152: 2149: 2148: 2146: 2145: 2140: 2138:Scenery wagons 2135: 2130: 2125: 2120: 2115: 2109: 2107: 2103: 2102: 2100: 2099: 2094: 2089: 2084: 2079: 2073: 2071: 2064: 2056: 2055: 2050: 2047: 2046: 2035: 2034: 2027: 2020: 2012: 2004: 2003: 1991: 1969: 1947: 1919: 1912: 1891: 1876: 1869: 1848: 1841: 1818: 1811: 1805:. p. 84. 1789: 1782: 1763: 1762: 1760: 1757: 1751: 1748: 1742: 1739: 1717: 1714: 1700: 1697: 1691: 1688: 1682: 1679: 1655: 1652: 1638: 1635: 1621: 1618: 1612: 1611:Loading bridge 1609: 1568: 1565: 1548: 1545: 1541: 1540: 1537: 1530: 1528: 1525: 1518: 1516: 1513: 1506: 1504: 1501: 1494: 1492: 1489: 1482: 1480: 1477: 1470: 1467: 1466: 1465: 1451: 1450:Infrastructure 1448: 1435: 1434: 1410: 1409: 1378: 1377: 1357: 1356: 1347: 1344: 1329: 1328: 1325: 1318: 1316: 1313: 1306: 1304: 1301: 1294: 1292: 1289: 1282: 1279: 1278: 1274: 1273: 1272: 1243: 1240: 1230: 1229: 1226: 1223: 1220: 1217: 1214: 1210: 1209: 1206: 1203: 1200: 1197: 1194: 1190: 1189: 1186: 1183: 1180: 1177: 1174: 1171: 1167: 1166: 1162: 1161: 1156: 1138: 1120: 1102: 1084: 1081: 1080:cross-section 1078:Counterweight 1032: 1031:Counterweights 1029: 1024: 1023: 1015: 1014: 995: 994: 959: 958: 919: 916: 862: 861: 763: 760: 755: 754: 746: 745: 737: 736: 728: 727: 719: 718: 683:Main article: 680: 677: 675: 672: 633: 630: 616: 613: 530: 527: 487: 484: 432: 429: 425:safety curtain 419: 416: 405: 402: 396: 393: 375: 372: 316: 313: 292: 289: 271: 268: 259: 256: 227: 224: 181:scenery wagons 158:counterweights 128: 127: 42: 40: 33: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2453: 2442: 2439: 2437: 2434: 2432: 2429: 2427: 2424: 2423: 2421: 2408: 2398: 2392: 2389: 2387: 2384: 2382: 2379: 2377: 2374: 2372: 2369: 2367: 2364: 2363: 2361: 2357: 2351: 2348: 2346: 2345:Prompt corner 2343: 2341: 2338: 2336: 2333: 2332: 2330: 2328: 2322: 2312: 2309: 2307: 2304: 2302: 2299: 2297: 2294: 2292: 2289: 2287: 2284: 2282: 2279: 2277: 2274: 2272: 2269: 2268: 2266: 2264: 2260: 2254: 2251: 2249: 2246: 2244: 2241: 2239: 2236: 2234: 2231: 2229: 2226: 2224: 2221: 2219: 2216: 2214: 2211: 2209: 2206: 2204: 2201: 2199: 2196: 2195: 2193: 2189: 2183: 2180: 2178: 2175: 2173: 2170: 2169: 2167: 2163: 2160: 2158: 2154: 2144: 2141: 2139: 2136: 2134: 2131: 2129: 2126: 2124: 2121: 2119: 2116: 2114: 2111: 2110: 2108: 2104: 2098: 2095: 2093: 2090: 2088: 2087:Scenic design 2085: 2083: 2080: 2078: 2075: 2074: 2072: 2068: 2065: 2063: 2057: 2053: 2048: 2044: 2040: 2033: 2028: 2026: 2021: 2019: 2014: 2013: 2010: 2001: 1995: 1980:. Thern Stage 1979: 1973: 1957: 1951: 1932: 1926: 1924: 1915: 1913:0-7674-1191-9 1909: 1905: 1898: 1896: 1887: 1880: 1872: 1866: 1862: 1858: 1857:Jay O. Glerum 1852: 1844: 1842:9781508438106 1838: 1834: 1827: 1825: 1823: 1814: 1812:0-7674-2733-5 1808: 1804: 1800: 1793: 1785: 1783:0-06-042332-3 1779: 1775: 1774:Stage Scenery 1768: 1764: 1756: 1747: 1738: 1734: 1730: 1726: 1722: 1713: 1709: 1706: 1696: 1687: 1678: 1675: 1673: 1665: 1660: 1651: 1643: 1634: 1632: 1627: 1617: 1608: 1606: 1600: 1596: 1593: 1589: 1581: 1573: 1564: 1557: 1553: 1534: 1529: 1522: 1517: 1510: 1505: 1498: 1493: 1486: 1481: 1474: 1469: 1468: 1464: 1460: 1458: 1447: 1443: 1439: 1432: 1431: 1430: 1426: 1422: 1414: 1407: 1406: 1405: 1402: 1397: 1393: 1389: 1385: 1382: 1375: 1374: 1369: 1365: 1362: 1354: 1353: 1352: 1343: 1339: 1336: 1322: 1317: 1310: 1305: 1298: 1293: 1286: 1281: 1280: 1271: 1267: 1263: 1259: 1255: 1253: 1248: 1239: 1236: 1227: 1224: 1221: 1218: 1215: 1211: 1207: 1204: 1201: 1198: 1195: 1191: 1187: 1184: 1181: 1178: 1175: 1168: 1163: 1160:25 × 61 1155:20 × 35 1137:15 × 35 1119:13 × 35 1101:10 × 35 1076: 1070: 1066: 1064: 1060: 1055: 1053: 1050: 1046: 1042: 1037: 1028: 1022:Tension block 1021: 1020: 1019: 1012: 1011: 1010: 1006: 1002: 999: 992: 991: 986: 978: 974: 970: 967: 963: 956: 955: 954: 950: 947: 945: 941: 938:A block is a 932: 924: 915: 912: 909: 904: 902: 898: 893: 889: 885: 882: 878: 876: 872: 869: 868:Belaying pins 865: 859: 858: 857: 854: 849: 845: 843: 838: 814: 810: 808: 804: 803:safety factor 799: 792: 784: 776: 768: 759: 752: 751: 750: 743: 742: 741: 734: 733: 732: 725: 724: 723: 716: 715: 714: 712: 707: 704: 699: 691: 686: 671: 667: 663: 660: 656: 653: 651: 647: 638: 629: 625: 621: 612: 610: 605: 603: 599: 595: 589: 585: 581: 579: 575: 570: 566: 559: 553: 549: 544: 535: 526: 524: 519: 516: 512: 508: 504: 501: 492: 483: 480: 477: 471: 468: 465: 459: 457: 453: 449: 445: 441: 436: 428: 426: 415: 412: 401: 392: 389: 380: 371: 369: 365: 360: 358: 354: 353:Ethernet taps 350: 344: 342: 337: 335: 331: 321: 312: 310: 306: 302: 298: 288: 285: 281: 277: 267: 264: 255: 251: 247: 245: 241: 235: 231: 223: 222:(now PLASA). 221: 217: 213: 209: 205: 201: 197: 192: 190: 189:mise en scène 186: 182: 177: 175: 171: 167: 163: 159: 155: 151: 147: 143: 134: 124: 121: 113: 102: 99: 95: 92: 88: 85: 81: 78: 74: 71: – 70: 66: 65:Find sources: 59: 55: 49: 48: 43:This article 41: 37: 32: 31: 19: 2391:Video design 2376:Sound design 2371:Running crew 2359:Other fields 2127: 1994: 1982:. Retrieved 1972: 1960:. Retrieved 1950: 1938:. Retrieved 1903: 1885: 1879: 1860: 1851: 1832: 1798: 1792: 1773: 1767: 1753: 1744: 1735: 1731: 1727: 1723: 1719: 1710: 1702: 1693: 1684: 1676: 1669: 1654:Locking rail 1648: 1623: 1614: 1601: 1597: 1594: 1590: 1586: 1561: 1461: 1453: 1444: 1440: 1436: 1427: 1423: 1419: 1398: 1394: 1390: 1386: 1383: 1379: 1358: 1355:Manual hoist 1349: 1340: 1337: 1333: 1268: 1264: 1260: 1256: 1249: 1245: 1235: 1233: 1158:10 × 24 1067: 1056: 1038: 1034: 1025: 1016: 1007: 1003: 1000: 996: 971: 968: 964: 960: 951: 948: 937: 913: 905: 886: 879: 873: 866: 863: 860:Line control 850: 846: 839: 815: 811: 800: 797: 756: 747: 738: 729: 726:Truss batten 720: 711:cantilevered 708: 700: 696: 668: 664: 661: 657: 654: 643: 626: 622: 618: 606: 590: 586: 582: 571: 567: 564: 523:spot rigging 520: 517: 513: 509: 505: 497: 481: 472: 469: 460: 437: 434: 421: 407: 398: 385: 361: 345: 338: 326: 294: 273: 265: 261: 252: 248: 236: 232: 229: 226:The line set 193: 178: 145: 141: 139: 116: 107: 97: 90: 83: 76: 69:"Fly system" 64: 52:Please help 47:verification 44: 2350:Prompt book 2311:Accessories 2263:Instruments 2043:scenography 1936:. JR Clancy 1803:McGraw Hill 1620:Fly gallery 1433:Point hoist 1059:rectangular 908:turnbuckles 892:cable clips 842:manila hemp 444:manila hemp 370:positions. 357:Pantographs 185:stage lifts 2431:Stagecraft 2426:Fly system 2420:Categories 2327:management 2301:Striplight 2198:Barn doors 2128:Fly system 2060:Theatrical 2052:Scene shop 2039:Stagecraft 1759:References 1672:rope locks 1664:rope locks 1442:the grid. 1376:Drum hoist 1013:Mule block 993:Head block 957:Loft block 881:Rope locks 753:Tab batten 674:Components 602:proscenium 404:Flying rig 368:followspot 330:multicable 212:fire codes 196:proscenium 166:stage crew 152:of ropes, 142:fly system 110:March 2010 80:newspapers 2306:Spotlight 2218:Cyclorama 2208:Color gel 2133:Platforms 1690:Operation 1681:Arbor pit 1567:Grid deck 1361:worm gear 1140:8 × 1122:6 × 1104:5 × 1086:4 × 1049:flame-cut 1045:cast iron 853:wire rope 574:fly tower 411:Peter Foy 341:cyclorama 18:Fly tower 2335:Blocking 2191:Hardware 2118:Curtains 2106:Hardware 1859:(2007). 1741:Runaways 1695:system. 1637:Pin rail 1626:fly crew 1547:Fly loft 1421:blocks. 1213:(kg/cm) 1193:(lb/ft) 1173:(lb/in) 706:batten. 334:raceways 309:box sets 244:fly crew 204:Building 2407:Outline 2248:Top hat 2203:C-clamp 2143:Weights 2092:Rigging 2062:scenery 1984:22 July 1962:22 July 1940:22 July 1208:798.24 1149:⁄ 1131:⁄ 1113:⁄ 1095:⁄ 1065:hands. 832:⁄ 822:⁄ 703:C-clamp 679:Battens 594:scenery 452:rigging 303:(e.g., 242:on the 240:riggers 170:scenery 162:theater 154:pulleys 148:, is a 94:scholar 2165:Fields 2113:Batten 2070:Fields 1910: 1867: 1839: 1809: 1780: 1705:flyman 1346:Hoists 1252:UHMWPE 1242:Arbors 1228:11.88 1205:353.28 1202:260.76 1199:214.56 1196:168.24 1188:66.52 1063:gloved 944:sheave 940:pulley 918:Blocks 650:flyman 578:batten 476:Hoists 349:DMX512 305:muslin 284:scrims 210:, and 150:system 96: 89: 82: 75: 67: 2325:Stage 2296:Scoop 2238:Snoot 2123:Flats 1934:(PDF) 1401:yo-yo 1225:5.257 1222:3.881 1219:3.193 1216:2.504 1185:29.44 1182:21.73 1179:17.88 1176:14.02 1165:(cm) 1083:(in) 1052:steel 1047:, or 901:crimp 888:Swage 875:Knots 762:Lines 431:Types 423:fire/ 301:flats 216:USITT 174:stage 144:, or 101:JSTOR 87:books 2381:Prop 2223:Gobo 2041:and 1986:2014 1964:2014 1942:2014 1908:ISBN 1865:ISBN 1837:ISBN 1807:ISBN 1778:ISBN 1631:deck 1041:lead 646:cues 464:hemp 440:Hemp 351:and 280:cycs 220:ESTA 218:and 73:news 2340:Cue 550:in 336:). 56:by 2422:: 1922:^ 1894:^ 1821:^ 1801:. 1142:13 1124:13 1106:13 1088:13 1043:, 596:, 282:, 206:, 191:. 183:, 176:. 156:, 140:A 2031:e 2024:t 2017:v 1988:. 1966:. 1944:. 1916:. 1873:. 1845:. 1815:. 1786:. 1151:8 1147:5 1144:+ 1133:8 1129:5 1126:+ 1115:8 1111:5 1108:+ 1097:8 1093:5 1090:+ 834:4 830:3 824:8 820:5 438:" 123:) 117:( 112:) 108:( 98:· 91:· 84:· 77:· 50:. 20:)

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