Measuring Forces on Concert Canopies
A concert company was hosting an outdoor concert for a well-known Italian tenor. The set had been designed with a canvas canopy mounted on several struts over the stage.
The Problem:
It was critical for the stage managers to be able to monitor the stability of the canopy throughout the performance; any wind or rain would exert a force on the canopy that could prove dangerous.
The Solution:
Load pins were attached to all 36 suspension points on the canopy. The load pin output signals were converted to a 4/20mA output via an ICA5S miniature in-line amplifier housed within a stainless steel in-line enclosure. The ICA5S analogue amplifier allows for increased cable length from each load pin to the display rack. Each output was brought back to an RCA15 rack display containing 36 channels, so that the value at each load point could be displayed. The total of all the loads was then repeated on a summing display as an integral part of the rack. The results were then sent via communications modules to a PC.
Load monitoring system for event riggers
In addition to the products below, we have designed a product specific for this use. BroadWeigh consists of Crosby safety bow shackles with high accuracy load-pins and a wireless handheld device which constantly displays the load of a rig up to 200 metres away.
Products used in this application:
Miniature Strain Gauge Signal Conditioner, Converts Load Cell to 4-20mA & 0-10V
