Electrical Safety—General Warning 1
Included Safety Features 2
Manufacturer’s Name and Address 2
02 GENERAL INFORMATION 3
Motor and Electronic Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) 3
Hoist Assembly (Cable Drum, Load Brake, Limit Switches and Frame) 3
Vortek M Series Controller 4
Specifi cations 4
USA (60Hz) M Series Based Models and Applications 4
European (50Hz) M Series Based Models and Applications 5
Dimensions of Standard Unit 5
03 THEORY OF OPERATION 7
04 INITIAL OPERATION/MAIN SCREEN 9
Controls Layout 9
Turn On Operator Station 9
MAIN Screen Control Functions 9
MACHINE CONFIG. Screen Layout 17
CURRENT HOIST 17
CURRENT HOIST NAME 17
SOFT OPERATING LIMITS 17
HOME HOIST 17
LOADING LIMITS 18
Upper/Lower Limit Switches 18
09 PENDANT CONTROLLER 19
10 TROUBLESHOOTING 21
11 WARRANTY 23
ii
01 SAFETY INFORMATION
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
All Warning notes contained in this manual indicate information that may endanger personnel.
WARNING
The Daktronics rigging system is designed to raise and lower theatrical equipment under the rated hoist capacity
ONLY. This system is NOT designed to lift or lower personnel, and should never be used for that purpose.
Only trained and authorized personnel should be permitted to operate the Daktronics system. The unauthorized use,
alteration, or use for purposes other than those for which it was designed may cause injury to persons, damage to
the equipment, or create conditions which could lead to fatalities. All proper safety considerations must be observed.
While operating the Daktronics rigging system, a spotter must be used in conjunction with the user at all times. The
spotter must have a clear view of all moving elements while maintaining contact with the user. If an unsafe situation occurs, the
spotter must immediately signal the user to halt all movements until the environment is cleared of any person or obstruction.
All installation and maintenance involving the Vortek drive unit itself or the main electrical control cabinets will
require trained personnel. Simple daily maintenance activities such as cleaning of the touchscreen and the
M Series controller workstation may be carried out by the operators, and in most cases will be all that is needed
once installed.
Electrical Safety—General Warning
WARNING
Before working on any of the Vortek hoists, the main electrical disconnect must be
turned off and locked out according to OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.147.
The voltages used in the motor drive and master control panels can cause severe electrical
shock and/or burns. Extreme care is necessary at all times when working with the motor
drives. Only authorized personnel should carry out any installation, commissioning, or
maintenance of the electrical systems. All drive systems have been tuned at the factory
and will not require any additional alteration or adjustment by the owner’s personnel
unless specifically authorized by a Daktronics representative.
SAFETY INFORMATION
SAFETY INFORMATION
1
Included Safety Features
Deadman Operation Movement Controls
Deadman controls only allow movement of hoists to commence and continue while the Execute Move
pushbutton is pressed. When the pushbutton is released all movement will come to a complete controlled
stop.
Emergency Stop
A red EMERGENCY STOP mushroom head pushbutton is located on each M Series control station. (There
may also be additional remote Emergency Stop locations installed). Pushing the button will disable all motor
drives through the Emergency Stop circuit and set all motor brakes. All motion of the attached loads on each
Vortek hoist immediately stops and inhibits all further movements until reset.
The Emergency Stops should ONLY be used for real emergencies or when required to disable the Daktronics
control system from inadvertent usage.
Vortek Back-Up Brake
This secondary mechanical braking system is designed to hold the rated load in the improbable case of
a failure of the primary motor brake or gearbox. This system is fully mechanical and acts independently of
any electrical inputs on the system.
Manufacturer’s Name and Address:
Daktronics
7200 Rawson Road
Victor, N.Y. 14564 USA
2
02 GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
The Vortek® hoist system is an automated rigging system, meaning that the load is not counter-weighted. Each hoist
can lift loads only up to the design capacity. Overloading will result in electrical overload protection shut down of
the hoist and possible damage to rigging components.
Each hoist system consists of an integral electric motor driven gear reducer, directly coupled to a cable drum,
which winds steel cables (wire ropes) leading over sheaves installed within the hoist assembly and along the
structural steel of the building. The cables support battens for attaching the load. The battens can be lowered to
within the specified trim above the stage floor to allow attachment of loads.
The Vortek M Series control system consists of three basic parts, as described below:
Motor and Electronic Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
The motor, Electronic Variable Frequency Drive, and dynamic braking resistor for each motor are located
within each Vortek M Series motorized hoist. A local control panel is located on each hoist for programming
and diagnostics by factory personnel. There is a reset-able circuit breaker located at each power point on the
HV wire way. The rated twist-locking plug on each unit acts as the main high voltage disconnect along with its
corresponding CB.
The Vortek batten hoists are not designed to raise and lower people.
These hoists should NEVER be used for this purpose.
Hoist Assembly (Cable Drum, Load Brake, Limit Switches, and Frame)
The Daktronics M Series control and hoist assemblies are usually mounted on the rigging steel at the top of the
stage house. Depending on design circumstances the Vortek M Series controlled hoists may be mounted in a
different location. The gear motor, helically grooved cable drum, support bearing, and frame structure are all
factory assembled and tested. Maximum upper height and minimum lower height are set by limit switches which
are adjusted by factory-trained personnel during installation and commissioning of the system. A position encoder
is located at the brake end of each hoist motor, attached directly to the motor shaft. Each hoist assembly is also
equipped with a LOAD BRAKE, a unique safety feature provided exclusively by Daktronics. This unit is designed
to engage automatically when the load is being lowered to greatly reduce any possibility of a loaded batten to
descend uncontrolled.
GENERAL INFORMATION
3
Daktronics M Series Controller
Control of all hoists is possible from the M Series automation control console or, (depending on installation) a
pushbutton control station. The hoists can be controlled individually and at various speeds. Refer to Sections 4-9 of
this manual for the operating procedures.
WARNING
If it is necessary to operate a hoist from a location where the operator's view of the moving
load is obstructed, a second person must be used to observe the load and communicate to
the operator.
Specifications
WARNING
THE FOLLOWING MODELS ARE VARIABLE SPEED AND DESIGNATED TO BE CONTROLLED THROUGH
THE DAKTRONICS M SERIES CONTROLLER:
The Vortek M Series unit must only be used with a maximum load equal to the capacity stated for
the model below. Overloading the system may result in serious injury or an inoperable system.
USA (60Hz) M Series Based Models and Applications
M Series Controller- Single Purchase
HOIST MODEL NUMBERLOAD LBS (kg)SPEED FT/MIN (M/SEC)