Some familiar names in the hoisting industry exhibited at last month’s PLASA show in Earl’s Court London. The annual event, organised by the Professional Lighting and Sound Assosciation, is for the entertainment industry and includes stage technology as well as sound, light and special effects equipment. It attracts around 14,000 visitors.
Hoist products from Columbus McKinnon were much in evidence at the show and included electric and manual chain hoists, chain, hooks, links and shackles. Coffing Hoists, a Columbus McKinnon company, also had a stand showing electric and manual chain hoists and other rigging products.
PCM is the UK and European importer of Columbus McKinnon Lodestar hoists, including the smaller capacity Prostar, and in addition to these it showed its new Beta range of electric wire rope winches for moving scenery, props, and with some extra safety features, people. Other rigging motors included the PEB series chain hoists, available in lifting capacities from 250kg to 2t, and the PMB series, in capacities from 125kg to 2t.
Pfaff-silberblau exhibited for the first time at PLASA, and showed inverted electric chain hoists, hand and electric winches to VBG-70 specification, and jacking systems.
French manufacturer Verlinde was represented at the show by G. Bridgehouse which showed the Stagemaker line of electric chain hoists, controllers and winches.
ChainMaster Bühnentechnik, a German based company specialising in development, sale and installation of electric chain hoists and control systems, showed new VarioLift hoists including the VBG-70 which lifts 500kg at 19m/min, and the VBG-8 which lifts 1t at 19m/min. It also showed new synchronisation and trouble shooting software.
Batalpha Bobach, also based in Germany, specialises in computer control systems for stage machinery and showed its Modular Motion control system for positioning chain hoists.
Also showing computerised hoist control was Stage Technologies
