TOMCAT Announces 18th Annual Hoist & Rigging Workshop Feb. 16-19 in Texas

TOMCAT’s 2011 ETCP Hoist & Rigging workshops are less than 3 weeks away, February 16-19 in Midland, Texas.  Registration is still open for those interested in improving their skills and prospects for 2011 and beyond with training on chain hoists or rigging principles. The schedule is finalized and includes a team of world-class instructors to provide a hands-on-learning experience to production professionals across North America. More information on the workshops in Midland can be found at www.tomcatglobal.com.

The Hoist & Rigging workshops schedule includes instruction by respected and recognized leaders in the industry. Both training tracts include instruction on truss design, usage and theory with Will Todd, TOMCAT USA’s Product Support Manager.  Keith Bohn, TOMCAT USA’s Custom Projects Director, will lead a session on design and safe use of ground supported structures.  The first day of training will conclude with an introduction to entertainment automation by Kevin Taylor, CEO of Stage Technologies.

Attendees in the Hoist & Truss tract will start with a training session on hoist control systems let by Kevin Taylor of Stage Technologies.  Participants will then get dirty with Dave Carmack of Columbus McKinnon, who will provide hands-on motor instruction including teardown, re-assembly, maintenance and live troubleshooting.  This group will conclude its training by taking CM’s certification exam.

In the Rigging & Truss workshop, ETCP certified rigger and instructor G. Anthony Phillips of RigRider Rigging Services will teach safe rigging practices and principles, while Morgan Neff, Fall Protection expert will instruct on safe fall protection practices. Participants will also have the opportunity to put these principles into live practice.

TOMCAT Announces 2011 Hoist & Rigging Workshop

TOMCAT is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2011 Hoist & Rigging workshops on February 16-19 in Midland, Texas. A team of world-class instructors has been assembled to deliver the Hoist & Truss workshop and the Rigging & Truss workshop. This ETCP recognized training program will provide a unique, hands-on-learning experience for participants interested in receiving both basic and advanced training in their area of specialization: hoist or rigging.

“With the Hoist & Rigging workshops, TOMCAT has established a reputation as a worldwide leader in safety training. The curriculum is regularly enriched in response to the changing needs of the industry as well as the feedback provided by participants,” stated TOMCAT’s instructor Will Todd.

The hoist segment of the Hoist and Truss workshop features complete teardown and rebuild of a one ton Lodestar and a quarter-ton Prostar. Dave Carmack of Columbus McKinnon will provide detailed instruction on inspection, standards and hands-on segment of advanced troubleshooting. There will also be instruction on control systems and load testing. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to take CM’s certification exam.

In the Rigging & Truss workshop, G. Anthony Phillips, an ETCP certified rigger and instructor of RigRider Rigging Services, will teach about safe rigging practices and principles while Morgan Neff will instruct on fall protection practices and equipment. Participants will also have the opportunity to put these principles into live practice in a segment working on a TOMCAT ground support system session.

In addition, both workshops will include a full day of truss instruction with Will Todd. The class includes basic and advanced concepts in truss usage, grid design, applying loads, ground support system considerations, structural design concepts, and inspection techniques.

The 2011 Hoist & Rigging workshops are an excellent educational opportunity for those new to the entertainment industry as well as veterans of the business. Registration is now open and further information can be found at www.tomcatglobal.com.

TOMCAT’s New QU & Curtains Track Truss

TOMCAT displayed new products at its booth at LDI: QU Truss Series, as well as its new Curtain Track Truss. The QU Truss Series products stand out for its simple tool free connection, fast assembly and disassembly, and multiple configurations. The products were designed for specific applications including exhibits, audiovisual equipment support, ballroom/conference environments and soft goods support.

The QU Truss Series includes 2 news products: The QU-212 Batten Ladder has a 20 ft span UDL capacity of 1000 lbs., 4’’ wide top chord for stability, and requires minimal truck/storage space with the availability of storage carts. The QU-312 Triangle Truss with 840 lbs. UDL over a 30’ span, and 400 lbs UDL over a 40ft span also has the availability of storage carts.

TOMCAT’s new Curtain Track Truss has the following features: An integrated track which accepts readily available carriers, includes self aligning connection plates, and its 2’’ members accept commonly used mounting hardware. It also offers a single and double track configuration with a 30ft. span UDL capacity of 1000 lbs., is available curved or straight, and is perfect for walking curtains/screens.

Tomcat Global Introduces Edge Truss

Tomcat Global recently announced a new series of truss to their Swing Wing line up of trussing products called the Edge. The Edge truss is 30″ x 23″ which allows for stacking the truss four wide in a standard truck rather then 3 wide.  the Edge also has rotating spigots thus eliminating the need for corner blocks and one less piece of truss to remember to load into the truck.

With removable ladders, if something happens and a piece of the Edge Truss gets damaged, it is easily replaced with another section of ladder trussing.  This will help cut down truck loads with out the need for carrying extra truss section if a piece gets damaged and unsafe to rig. Additionally, an adjustable internal diagonal slider assembly adjust creating space for larger lighting fixture or for extra lighting positions on the truss.

The Edge Truss utilizes space and offers the ultimate cost savings in almost every aspect of touring, with reducing truck space, shipping weight, reduced hardware, storage and replacement parts. A 96″ stick of the Edge Truss weights just 195 lbs. and can span up to 40′ with a load of 3700 lbs. Standard lengths are: 96″ (3 bay, fits 3 moving heads) & 120” ( 4 bay, fits 4 moving heads). Each stick of the Edge Truss is Equipped with 3 Lamp bars and stacking spigots.

For more information on the Edge Truss from Tomcat Global, visit their US website at www.tomcatglobal.com. If you are attending the LDI Show this year in Orlando, Fl, look for the Edge Truss at the Tomcat booth, 1027.

Update: TomCat Introduces Core Truss

Back during SETC in Birmingham, AL, TomCat showed off their latest line of trussing called CORE.  Just recently, TomCat officially announced the new truss along with prices and available sizes.  TomCat has essentially taken the conventional 12″ x 12″ light duty truss and modified the components to provide a more efficient truss at a more efficient price.

The latest additions to the CORE line up are the CORE18 (12″ x 18″) and CORE12 (12″ x 12″). The new CORE18 is 5lbs. lighter and 25% stronger than conventional light duty 12″ x 18″ truss.  The new CORE18 comes in at 63lbs. per 10′ section with the ability to sustain 1,000lbs total UDL over a 40′ span.  This is an additional 200lbs. capacity over the conventional light duty truss.

There are plans to add 20.5″ x 20.5″ box tuss to the CORE line up in the near future with accessories to complete the CORE line up. All of the CORE lineup of trussing is expected to be available mid summer 2009.

For more information on the TomCat CORE trussing, visit TomCat’s website at www.tomcatglobal.com.  For pricing on the CORE trussing, contact your local TomCat Rep.

SETC Comes To A Close

All good things must finialy come to an end. This past week at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), we saw and heard some pretty amazing things, not only on the show floor, but through out the conference.

To recap the week:

The rumor that Vari-Lite is poised to announce an LED moving light were confirmed by the poster ad prominently displayed in their booth.

Apollo is on the verge of releasing a clip light for use backstage with a gel ring.

Tomcat just announced the newest addition to their light duty 12×12 box truss, CORE.

SETC put out a new publication, Outside the Box, 25 Design-Tech Strategies Publication.

SETC is a great conference for young people from the high school level to grad students to find not only a summer career, but also a life long love of the industry. SETC is offers hundreds of ways for the younger theatre professional to network and meet industry professionals.

Next years conference is being held in Lexington, Kentucky. If you have a chance to make it, we promise it will be a great experience.

Thanks SETC for the memories!

Tomcat Introduces New CORE Box Truss

Tomcat was showing off their newest line of box trussing at SETC called CORE.  CORE is a 12″x12″ box truss that was taken from the standard 12″x12″ light duty truss and modified the components to provide a more efficient truss at a more efficient price.  The CORE comes in at only 60 lbs. for a 10′ section and is able to sustain a 1040 lbs. total UDL over a 40′ span.  This is an increase of 200 lbs. of load capacity over the standard light duty truss that they currently offer.

To achieve the lighter weight and more “efficient” price, Tomcat has removed the vertical supports that run between the diagonal supports every 2′.  That is where some of the weight is lose but still able to handle the increased weight capacity.

A release date has not been set, but talking with Tomcat, shipments may start as early as May.  With a price that is roughly $100 cheaper then their current light duty truss, the CORE truss is a stronger and more cost effective option.

Tomcat University: Hoist & Truss Workshop

We received an email from Lighting and Sound America today about the latest workshop offered by Tomcat University for hoist and truss in Midland Texas. What is unique about this workshop is that graduates of the class receive their Columbus McKinnon certification. The workshops are also recognized by etcp and and graduates also recieve renewal credits towards their classification.

There are two workshops being offered on February 18-21, those being Hoist and Truss and the other being Rigging and Truss.

The workshops cover:

• Proper use and maintenance of CM Loadstar and Prostar products
• An overview of automation systems and live demo
• Proper use and maintenance of Columbus McKinnon Lodestar and Prostar products
• Advanced troubleshooting scenarios and techniques
• Basic relay hoist controls
• Basic and advanced truss design, usage and theory
• Destructive testing

The price tag for each course depends on which type of registration you use. Regular registration runs $1000 per person, IATSE members, Students and USITT members pay $900 per person. This price tag includes:

• All course work fees and materials
• Transportation to and from Midland International Airport
• 5 nights accommodation at the Midland Clarion – Where the workshops take place
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on the four days of workshops.

For more information or to register for the Tomcat workshops, visit www.tomcastworkshops.com