We are constantly learning. Both in our personal and public lives, education plays an enormous role in allowing us to have the mental tools to prepare for the future. Whether these tools are used to understand the world around us or to make our work and leisure time more enjoyable and productive, education is our passport to the future.
To facilitate their own educational process, Area Four Industries recruited so-called ‘Rigging Commandos,’ respected experts who positively identify with the problems faced by riggers and technicians, and who are not afraid to explain theories with good humour and cutting-edge expertise.
One of these experts is Prolyte’s Product Manager, Dutch-born Eric Laanstra, whose first video available on A4I.tv looks at the new technology used in producing Prolyte Stage Deck Systems.
As Eric explains, the stage decks are manufactured in 3 versions. The Top-Line version, with an hexagonal, anti-skipping surface is known as ‘The Outdoor Version.’ The wooden top plate is water-resistant rather than waterproof. This means that over a long time beneath pouring skies the product absorbs water and actually ‘grows.’
The second product is the ‘Basic Line’ version. This has a birch plywood plate available in black, clear varnish or unfinished. Both decks have an indoor or outdoor version and can handle a uniform distributed loading capacity of 750kg/M2. The third line available has an acrylic top deck suitable for handling a loading capacity of 500kg/M2.
Looking at the more technical aspects of the decks, on each corner of the deck is a leg pocket. The pocket is capable of holding a 48x3 mm round leg, or a 40x40 square leg. By turning a handle the leg is securely fixed in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, each desk with a width of more than 50 cm has a centrally placed support beam. This is designed to support a 15mm deck top for increased stability.
If we take a closer look at the stage decks, it will be apparent that the top plate is glued in position. The glue is absolutely unique to Prolyte. As Eric explains, by consulting with end users and fully understanding their specific requirements, the Prolyte Stage Deck Systems are extremely durable and secure. Instead of screwing or riveting the top plate, Prolyte uses its uniquely powerful glue to achieve a clean finish with no damage to the top plate. The resulting increase in efficiency and stability make the creation of truly stunning stage structures simple, safe, and extremely effective.
This is unlike other brands where the top plate is mounted with screws or rivets. A frequently heard complaint was the noise and vibration coming from the screws, which also often became undone owing to the distance travelled during transportation. Naturally, if the top plate becomes loose then vibrations are bound to occur. There is even a possibility that the top plate will fall out when being handled.
The glue is proportionally divided over the side and middle beams resulting in noticeable noise reduction and no loose plates.
“You Know What. We Know How” lies at the heart of the philosophy of Area Four Industries. To reflect this philosophy, A4I.tv was specifically created to reflect modern educational challenges in the present day, and offers an extensive use of topics and videos that can be watched on PCs, laptops, and mobile phones – making it perfect for watching on-site.
Since 2013, Area Four Industries has defined and set new benchmarks in the engineered Event Support Structures industry by providing crucial sector education (Area Four Industries was the first on the market to launch rigging and trussing educational products) raising internal standards, and creating own-brand products that are renowned for being built to the very highest standards.
To watch more of Eric Laanstra on Stage Deck Systems, please click
here.