Page 14 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 15th February 2021

POWER TRANSMISSION...

Powertrain components set the

stage at Théâtre du Chatelet

As any theatre goer knows, immersion is everything. To help the audience get truly

lost in the story, actors and directors rely on multiple stage effects controlled by
winches, allowing sets and props to be quickly deployed for the next scene. These
winch assemblies include power transmission equipment, which must be incredibly
quiet and highly reliable. To ensure this at Théâtre du Chatelet, BC Caire, a leading
French manufacturer of stage equipment, turned to Altra Industrial Motion.

he 2,500-seat Théâtre du Chatelet was
initially completed in 1862, hosting stage
productions, operas and ballets
Tthroughout its history. The theatre has
undergone multiple renovations, the latest of which
was completed in 2019. As part of this €31 M
refurbishment, the interior, HVAC system,
accessibility and electricals of the building were all
overhauled. However, the project provided an
opportunity to renovate the stage too. This entailed
the addition of new lights, video screens and The very acoustics within the theatre designed to
scenery moving systems. project actors’ voices also serve to amplify the noise
The goal of this aspect of the project was to produced by equipment backstage. Mechanical
deliver increased creative freedom to productions noise can greatly affect audience immersion, so
and their directors. This entailed installing new specifying a quiet solution was paramount.
systems to move scenery and video screens with BC Caire opted for ERS FENIX 10 electrically
increased speed. To achieve this, larger capacity released brakes from Warner Electric, featuring a
motors and winches were installed to move both at single magnet and two friction discs for increased
speeds from 1.2 m/s up to 1.6 m/s, matched with torque capacity. Specifically developed for elevator
advanced controls that allow a single stage hand to and theatre applications, the FENIX range features
operate each of the 14 lifts simultaneously. a specialised braking mechanism with internal
This arrangement required a motor brake that dampening, which delivers an operating noise
combined both performance and quiet operation. below 45 dB(A). The models specified offered a

February 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p14