Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1975 - 33

NEW PRODUCTS
PORTABLE SHEET VINYL FLOORING
KEEPS BALLET COMPANY ON ITS TOES
Unlike any other performers in "show biz," when a ballet
company hits the road, the floor goes with them. Since the flooring surface is all-important to the performance of a ballet troupe, a
non-skid surface that is tough, long-lasting and attractive is an
absolute necessity for dancers performing on it night after night.
Dance companies on the lookout for a floor that insures a safe,
skid-free performance have been turning to Tarkett "Acoustiflor,"
a resilient sheet vinyl flooring that's easily portable. The Royal
Winnipeg Ballet, for example, has been touring with Acoustiflor
for the past three years, and such companies as the Pennsylvania
Ballet Company, the Avila College troupe in Kansas City and the
American Theatre in St. Louis have their own rolls of Tarkett
flooring for use on road trips.
Acoustiflor is both tough and easily portable, and is designed,
as well, to deaden impact noises and make for a more quiet
performance. In addition, as the Pennsylvania Ballet Company
discovered, the flooring can be painted black when needed without losing any of its resiliency or noise-deadening characteristics.
Acoustiflor is manufactured by Tarkett, the giant Swedish
maker of resilient sheet vinyl. Other Tarkett products include
"Multiflor ," for heavy-duty high traffic areas; "Gymflor," for
indoor recreational surfaces; "Conductiflor," for the prevention
of static electricity buildup; and "Wallgard," a tough, durable
vinyl wall covering.
F. Randolph Associates, Inc., a consulting firm catering to the
arts, is available to assist groups of dancers and other artists who
wish to become Tarkett users. The firm can be contacted by mail
at: 2300 Delancey PI., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by phone,
(215) 546-8369.
*
PRESPAC.ED LETTERS AND NUMBERS
CREATE "PROFESSIONAL" SIGNS
Individual letters and numbers (die cut to shape) are now
available in an "easy to apply" form. They are simple to apply
since each letter is "pre-spaced" and "pre-aligned" on its own
masking sheet. To make a perfect sign, simply place the selected
letters against each other with the top and bottom of the masking
sheet in a straight line. The built-in position of each letter on its
masking sheet automatically provides perfect line-op of the
letters, plus proper spacing between letters. This assures professional looking signs every time.
Buyers may select from six standard colors of vinyl, or two
brilliant fluorescent colors, or seven colors of Scotch lite Re·
flective. The letters and numbers are available in ten stock sizes
ranging from 1" through 12".
Normally letters are made of high quality plastic films with
today's modern, permanent type pressure-sensitive backs with
apply with a touch. In addition, removable letters are offered
with a specially formulated adhesive which still permits removal
of the letters within two years after application.
For full information and free samples of these self.aligning,
pre-spaced pressure-sensitive letters and numbers, request catalog
75-SS from Seton Name Plate Corp., New Haven, CN 06505.
*

RICHARD D. THOMPSON
USE OF WELDING IN DESIGN OF SCENERY
PROVIDES ADDED DIMENSION TO CREATIVE
THEATRE DESIGN
A multi-purpose welding package is being used at the Univer·
sity of Iowa with the results of lower costs and faster production
of scenery for campus theatre presentations.
Using a combination MIG (metal inertijas), TIG (tungsten,
inert gas) and stick-electrode welding package, called DIP/STICK
160, drama students are learning the art of welding in order to
fabricate a wide variety of scenic pieces and props for theatre set
decoration. The set pieces are constructed from steel or aluminum,
in thicknesses that vary from sheet gauge to Yo and Y:. inch thick
plate.
The Dip/Stick 160 was purchased by instructor David Sealy
after a thorough study of fabrication needs. Of primary importance
in selecting the Dip/Stick was versatil ity. Scenic design require·
ments varied from large-scale metal framework which support
peripheral scenic ornaments, to metal staircases, posts and other
props used during performances.
The welding package had to be capable of joining steel or
aluminum, using spot, or seam welding and capable of laying a
smooth, continuous bead of short fillet welds in plate or angle
iron. Under such diverse conditions, continuous current control
was of highest importance in order to get the best results for the
particular joint and type of metal being fabricated. "The weld
had to look good," comments Sealey, "we wanted to avoid
polishing, chipping or grinding whenever possible. With the
Dip/Stick 160, a coat of spray paint after welding completes
the fabrication and the set is ready for use."
An additional requirement in selecting this welding package
was training. Drama students are not normally inclined towards
welding. The machine had to be capable of being operated with a
minimum of training and, obviously, has to stand up to the abuse
that beginners inevitably give to new machinery. The Dip/Stick
160 has single-knob current control and a mode switch that
allows the operator to switch from one type of welding process,
such as the stick-electrode method, to another type, without
trouble. There's no extensive training, or inherent mechanical
ability required to work with the Dip/Stick 160 package.
"We use any material necessary and proper for the set de·
sign," reports Professor Sealey, "including fiberglass, metal,
mesh, plastic, vacuum formed materials and wood. One of our
most recent productions was built almost entirely from steel
pipe."
The basic welding package costs 5650. Accessories for TIG
and spot welding will run the cost up to 51,000. For further
information, contact: Airco Welding ProdUCts, Box 496, Union,
NJ 07083.
*

Pre-spaced
Pressuresensitive
Letters
1. LINE

UP lmERS

EX
2. PEEL

Off BACKING.
PRESS lmERS OOWN.

USITT

3. Lin

Off PRE-MAS1t
... A PERfECT SIGN!

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

WINTER,1975

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1975