Mechanical Safety; Mechanical Limits; Assessing Mechanical Safety - L-Acoustics WST K2 Rigging Manual

2 MECHANICAL SAFETY

2.1

Mechanical limits

The K2 rigging system complies with 2006/42/EC: Machinery Directive. It has been designed following the guidelines of
BGV-C1.
2006/42/EC: Machinery Directive specifies a safety factor of 4:1 against the rupture. The limits specified in the tables
below correspond to deployments with a safety factor of 4:1 or higher. Refer to SOUNDVISION for the safety factor
of a specific deployment.
The safe limit gives the maximum number of elements for which the safety factor is always compliant with the
2006/42/EC: Machinery Directive, regardless of the other deployment parameters (site angles, inter-enclosure angles,
etc.).
The maximum limit gives the maximum number of elements for which the safety factor can be compliant with the
2006/42/EC: Machinery Directive, when the other deployment parameters provide the best mechanical conditions.
Ground-stacked
K2 on K1-SB with K2-BUMP
Flown
K2-BUMP
K2-BUMP + K2-BAR
K2-LINK under K1-BUMP
SOUNDVISION and mechanical safety
To deploy more elements than the safe limits, or when mixing different type of loudspeaker enclosures
within the same array, always model the system in SOUNDVISION before installation, and check the
Mechanical Data section for any stress warning or stability warning.
2.2

Assessing mechanical safety

In order to assess the actual safety of any array configuration before implementation, refer to the following warnings:
Rated working load limit (WLL) is not enough
The rated WLL is an indication of the element resistance to tensile stress. For complex mechanical systems
such as loudspeaker arrays, WLLs cannot be used per se to determine the maximum number of enclosures
within an array or to assess the safety of a specific array configuration.
Mechanical modeling with SOUNDVISION
The working load applied to each linking point, along with the corresponding safety factor, will depend on
numerous variables linked to the composition of the array (type and number of enclosures, splay angles)
and the implementation of the flying or stacking structure (number and location of flying points, site angle).
This cannot be determined without the complex mechanical modeling and calculation offered by
SOUNDVISION
Assessing the safety with SOUNDVISION
The overall safety factor of a specific mechanical configuration always corresponds to the lowest safety
factor among all the linking points. Always model the system configuration with the SOUNDVISION
software and check the Mechanical Data section to identify the weakest link and its corresponding working
load. By default, a stress warning will appear when the mechanical safety goes beyond the recommended
safety level.
Safety of ground-stacked arrays in SOUNDVISION
For ground-stacked arrays, a distinct stability warning is implemented in SOUNDVISION. It indicates a
tipping hazard when the array is not secured to the ground, stage or platform. It is user responsibility to
secure the array and to ignore this warning.
Consideration must be given to unusual conditions
SOUNDVISION calculations are based on usual environmental conditions. A higher safety factor is
recommended with factors such as extreme high or low temperatures, strong wind, prolonged exposition
to salt water, etc. Always consult a rigging specialist to adopt safety practices adapted to such a situation.
K2_RM_EN_0.5
Safe limit
4 K2
Safe limit
16 K2
14 K2 + 2 LA-RAK
12 K1-SB + 1 LA-RAK
16 K2
w w w . l - a c o u s t i c s . c o m
Maximum limit
6 K2
Maximum limit
24 K2
24 K2 + 2 LA-RAK
16 K1-SB + 2 LA-RAK
24 K2
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