Theatre Design & Technology - May 1974 - 30

NEW PROOUCTS

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MET HEIGHTENS OPERA'S DRAMATIC EFFECT
WITH SOUTHWORTH MACHINE LIFT TABLE
The Metropolitan Opera House is utilizing a lift table to
raise a singer reclining on a funeral pyre in one of opera's
most spectacu lar scenes, the immolation of Dido in the
last act of Berlioz' heroic "The Trojans".
As built by Southworth Machine Company to
specifications dictated by Rudolph Kuntner, chief
electrician and director of stage operations for the
Metropolitan Opera, the lift table operating on the
scissor's principle, has a platform 54 inches by 68 inches.
Power is provided by a built-in 3 HP unit three phase with
110 volt pushbutton and linestarter transformer. The unit
was downrated to 1,500-pound capacity and has a special
pump to provide 14 second rise time. Portability is
provided by semi-live configuration. This amounts to two
wheels built into one end of the table with a turret plate
on the opposite end and a skid spotter, or a jack handle,
for moving the unit about.
For further information contact: Southworth Machine
Co., 30 Warren Avenue, Portland, Maine.

STAGETRON Light Shaper-Sequencer, the system may
be enhanced by the addition of a sound-to-light
Translator, and a mUlti-purpose device called the Load
Matcher. Additionally, the Program Box may be used in
conjunction with the Light Shaper-Sequencer to allow
extremely complex and hence spectacular programs for
wiping-on, wiping-off, repeating loops, resetting, holding,
and stopping of the Electric Fireworks display. All of this
equipment is described in detail in the Roctronics
Handbook. For a copy, write: Roctronics Entertainment
Lighting, Inc., 22 Wendell St., Cambridge, Mass. 02138 . *
ESP HOTLINER VOLTAGE DETECTOR
Fisher Research Laboratory, Inc., introduces the ESP
Hotliner, a new, low-cost safety device for maintenance
and safety personnel. Uses include checking open end
voltage in open wires, outlets, fuse boxes, switchboards,
and pad transformers. This new Fisher instrument can also
be used to detect stray voltage in crossed wires, pipes and
general power line maintenance, and in identifying poor
or lost grounds.
Maintenance departments will find ESP Hotliner very
useful. Personnel find its portability a distinct advantage.
The instrument is on Iy 9 inches long, weighs 20 ounces,
can be worn on the belt, and is held like a flashlight. ESP
Hotliner detects electrostatic potential from 60 v to 120
kv-from a distance-no connections of any kind are
requ ired.
For further information contact: Fisher Research
Laboratories, Inc., 517 Marine View Avenue, Belmont,
California 94002. Telephone: 415/591-8924.

ELECTRIC FIREWORKS HANDBOOK
FROM ROCTRONICS
An Electric Fireworks system consists of three
components: a control system capable of providing a
programmable selection of different circuits, a power
amplification system for dimming electric power on and
off at the command of the control portion, and lastly a
display of light producing objects to be viewed by the
audience, having a different electrical circuit for each step
in the animated program.
Such a control system is provided by the STAGETRON
system manufactured by Roctronics. I n addition to the
sequential animation capability delivered by the

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THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

MAY. 1974
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - May 1974
