XLC Rigging Manual ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual
Table of Contents Rigging-Safety Warning .............................................................................................................................................. 2 0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 1 XLC Rigging System .................................................................................................................................
Rigging-Safety Warning This document details general rigging practices appropriate to the entertainment industry, as they would apply to the rigging of Electro-Voice XLC loudspeaker systems. It is intended to familiarize the reader with standard rigging hardware and techniques for suspending XLC loudspeaker systems overhead. Only persons with the knowledge of proper hardware and safe rigging techniques should attempt to suspend any sound systems overhead.
0. Introduction The XLC (X-Line Compact) loudspeaker systems represent an important step in line-array technology for small- and medium-scale sound reinforcement. The individual loudspeaker drivers, acoustic lenses, acoustic waveguides, enclosures and rigging hardware were all designed specifically for the XLC product line to not only achieve the highest acoustic output with the highest fidelity, but also to produce a precise wavefront from each element to achieve state-of-theart line-array performance.
22.50in (572mm) 7.94in (202mm) Rear View 19.56in (497mm) Weight: 111 lb (50.3 kg) Center of Gravity 39.00in (991mm) Top View 7.94in (202mm) Ref Center of Gravity 11.02in (280mm) Cent. CL 14.25in (362mm) Side View Front View (Without Grille) Figure 1b: XLC-127+ Loudspeaker System 22.50in (572mm) 9.38in (238mm) 19.50in (495mm) Rear View Weight: 120 lb (54.4 kg) Center of Gravity 9.38in (238mm) Ref 16.64in (423mm) Cent. CL Side View Center of Gravity 39.00in (991mm) Top View 21.
1. XLC Rigging System 1.1 Overview of the XLC Flying System The XLC loudspeaker systems have been designed to construct acoustic line arrays. Acoustic line arrays typically consist of independent columns of loudspeaker systems. This simplifies the rigging system. The XLC loudspeaker enclosures utilize a hinged rigging system that makes constructing arrays easy, predictable and repeatable. This front-hinging rigging concept allows arrays to be constructed with the least possible spacing between enclosures.
Hoist Motor Grid Swing Arm Button Bar Eight XLC Enclosures Hinged at the Front by the Button Bars and Front Rigging Tubes Angles Between Enclosures fixed by Pins through the Swing Arms and Rear Rigging Slot Holes XLC Enclosures Figure 2: Typical XLC Flying System The swing arm from an enclosure below can be pivoted up so that one of the quick-release pins may be inserted through the holes in the rigging slot on the frame and the slot in the swing arm, linking the two enclosures together.
Specifically, this means that when the enclosures are suspended, the back of the bottom enclosure will rotate down until the pin is stopped at the end of the slot in the swing arm. This one pin will not prevent the back corners of the enclosures from coming together. When landed, the enclosures will compress together until their back corners touch.
20.90in (531mm) 0.38in (9.7mm) 1.00in (25.4mm) Typ. 1.22in (31.0mm) Typ. 38.22in (971mm) Cent. R4.94in (125mm) 8.75in 5.63in (222mm) (143mm) Typ. CL 4.88in (124mm) 4.75in (121mm) Side View Front View (With Grille) 0.65in (16.5mm) Typ. Dia .385in (9.8mm) (11 Plcs.) 7° Hole .730in (18.5mm) Typ. .730in (18.5mm) Typ. 5° Hole 3° Hole 1° Hole 37.53in (953mm) Cent. 8° Hole 6° Hole 4° Hole 2° Hole 0° Hole .365in (9.3mm) .300in (7.
20.90in (531mm) 0.32in (8.1mm) 1.00in (25.4mm) Typ. 38.22in (971mm) Cent. 1.22in (31.0mm) Typ. R6.30in (160mm) 9.22in 12.34in (234mm) (313mm) Typ. 7.79in (198mm) CL 7.67in (195mm) Side View Front View (With Grille) 0.65in (16.5mm) Typ. Dia .385in (9.8mm) (15 Plcs.) 12° Hole 11° Hole 10° Hole 9° Hole 8° Hole 7° Hole 6° Hole 5° Hole 4° Hole 3° Hole 2° Hole 1° Hole 0° Hole .737in (18.7mm) Typ. .737in (18.7mm) Typ. .368in (9.4mm) 37.53in (953mm) Cent. .300in (7.
2. XLC Rigging and Flying Techniques 2.1 Array Considerations The XLC loudspeaker systems have been specifically designed to construct acoustic line-arrays. Line-array systems typically consist of independent columns of loudspeaker enclosures. The most common implementation would be a stereo sound reinforcement system with two columns (left and right).
MAKE SURE THAT THE SPRING-LOADED BUTTONS ON THE BUTTON BARS FULLY LOCK INTO THE ROUND HOLES IN THE FRONT RIGGING TUBES ON BOTH ENCLOSURES. REPEAT THIS FOR EVERY ENCLOSURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LINE ARRAY. Attach the top enclosure in the array to the grid, as shown in Figure 6c. (Only an XLC compatible grid can be used with an XLC array.) The grid has front rigging tubes just like the enclosures.
Initially, the rear rigging will be slack as the array is lifted. As more enclosures are suspended, the rear swing arms in the top enclosures will go into tension. If it is desired to lock the enclosures at their vertical splay angles when in compression as well as in tension, the lifting should be paused so that the second quick-release pin can be installed in the hole immediately at the end of the swing arm. For most arrays, the second pin is not necessary.
Figure 6a: Flying XLC Systems with Front Dollies - Step 1 Figure 6b: Flying XLC Systems with Front Dollies - Step 2 Figure 6c: Flying XLC Systems with Front Dollies - Step 3 13 ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual
Dolly Clip Figure 6d: Flying XLC Systems with Front Dollies - Step 4 Figure 6e: Flying XLC Systems with Front Dollies - Step 5 ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual 14
3. Rigging-Strength Ratings, Safety Factors, and Special Safety Considerations 3.1 Working-Load Limit and Safety Factor Definitions The structural ratings for all of the XLC rigging components and complete loudspeaker systems are based on test results in which parts were stressed to failure. Manufacturers typically present the structural-strength ratings of mechanical components or systems as either the working-load limit (WLL) or the ultimate-break strength.
3.2 Structural Rating Overview There are two independent strength ratings that, together, give a complete description of the overall structural performance capabilities of any XLC loudspeaker system. They are defined as follows: 1. The strength of each individual rigging point; which is the combined strength of the rigging frame, the rigging frame components (front button bars, rear swing arm, quick-release pins, etc.) and the enclosure. 2.
These guidelines provide a simplified rating for typical arrays based on the: 1. Vertical angle of each enclosure 2. Total weight of that enclosure plus all of the enclosures and rigging hung below it. 3. Angles of the force components on the front button bars and the rigging frames relative to the enclosures. 4. Angles of the force components on the rear swing arms, quick-release pins and rigging frames relative to the enclosures.
Figure 7 includes a graph of the working-load weight-versus-angle limit rating for the XLC enclosures. This working-load weight limit is applicable to every enclosure in an array, and includes the weight of that enclosure plus the total weight of all enclosures and rigging hardware suspended below it. The absolute enclosure angle is the vertical angle of that enclosure, where 0° represents an upright enclosure facing straight ahead (0° elevation angle).
The reader should consult an experienced structural engineer to perform the complex structural analysis. WHEN SUSPENDING ANY XLC LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM OVERHEAD, THE WORKING-LOAD LIMITS MUST NEVER BE EXCEEDED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL RIGGING POINT, AND THE OVERALL ENCLOSURE.
+5° MAX -5° MAX -∅° +∅° 1100 500 1000 450 900 Working-Load Limit (lb) 800 350 700 300 600 250 500 200 400 150 300 200 100 100 50 0 -180 Working-Load Limit (kg) 400 0 -150 -120 -90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 Angle (Degrees) Figure 8: XLC-127, XLC-127+ and XLC-118 Front-Rigging-Point Structural Ratings ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual 20
-∅° +∅° -5° MAX +5° MAX Working-Load Limit 975 lb (422 kg) From 0° to -8° (Swing Arm in Tension) From +172° to +180° (Swing Arm in Compression) This is the Only Possible Angle Range Figure 9: XLC-127 and XLC-127+ Rear-Rigging-Point Structural Ratings 21 ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual
-∅° +∅° -5° MAX +5° MAX Working-Load Limit 975 lb (422 kg) From 0° to -12° (Swing Arm in Tension) From +168° to +180° (Swing Arm in Compression) This is the Only Possible Angle Range Figure 10: XLC-118 Rear-Rigging-Point Structural Ratings ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual 22
Total Column Weight Working-Load Limit 2200 lb (998 kg) Figure 11: XLC-127, XLC-127+ and XLC-118 Overall Enclosure Structural Ratings 23 ELECTRO-VOICE® XLC TM Rigging Manual
XLC-127, XLC-127+ and XLC-118 Overall Enclosure Structural-Strength Ratings The actual strength of the XLC enclosures will depend on the complex total of the combined forces from each of the rigging points acting on the enclosure as a whole and will vary with the array configuration.
3.6 Electro-Voice Structural-Analysis Procedures Electro-Voice maintains a structural pull-test facility in Burnsville, Minnesota USA which includes load cells with digital-electronic display and recording. The load cells are calibrated annually by an in-dependent laboratory to a standard traceable to the United States National Bureau of Standards. This pull-test facility is capable of pulling to destruction both individual rigging components and complete loudspeaker systems.
4. Rigging Inspection and Precautions Electro-Voice XLC Loudspeaker Systems: Prior to each use, inspect the loudspeaker enclosures for any cracks, deformations, missing or damaged components that could reduce enclosure strength. Inspect the rigging frame assemblies on the enclosures for any cracks, deformations, corrosion, missing or loose screws which could reduce the flying hardware strength. Replace any loudspeaker systems that are damaged or missing hardware.
Pull-Up Grid Assemblies: Prior to each use, inspect the pull-up grid bar assembly any for cracks, burrs, deformations, corrosion or missing or damaged components that could reduce the pull-up assembly strength. Replace any pull-up grids that are damaged or missing hardware. Always double check that each pull-up grid is securely locked to the front button bar assemblies and the rear swing arm assemblies on the XLC enclosures before lifting.
References Rigging References [1] W.E. Rossnagel, L.R. Higgins & J.A. MacDonald, Handbook of Rigging for Construction and Industrial Operations, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY, USA (1988). [2] J.O. Glerum, Stage Rigging Handbook, Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL, USA (1987). [3] P. Carter, Backstage Handbook, Broadway Press, New York, NY, USA (1988). [4] ATM Fly-Ware, Riggermeister Production Rigging Guide, ATM Fly-Ware, Carson, CA, USA (1995).
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U.S.A. and Canada: For customer orders, contact the Customer Service department at: 800/392-3497 Fax: 800/955-6831 For warranty repair or service information, contact the Service Repair Department at: 800/685-2606 For technical assistance, contact Technical Support at: 866/78-AUDIO Specifications subject to change without notice. All Other International Locations: 952-884-4051 Fax: 952-736-4212 www.electrovoice.com l Telex Communications, Inc. l www.telex.com Printed in U.S.A © Telex Communications, Inc.
