Electro-voice XI-A User Manual
Xi-A Series Loudspeaker System
Flying Manual
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual
Table of Contents
0. Rigging-Safety Warning.......................................................................................................................................... 2
I. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 The Flying Xi-A Loudspeaker Systems .................................................................................................... 3
II. Basic Xi-A Rigging Primer....................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Anatomy of an Xi-A Flying System........................................................................................................... 3
2.2 The Rigging Hardware ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 The Xi-A Flying Concept .......................................................................................................................... 7
2.3.1 Accoustical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 7
2.3.2 Practical Considerations .......................................................................................................... 8
III. Associated Rigging Hardware for Flying Xi-A Loudspeaker Systems .................................................................. 10
3.1 Grids and Associated Rigging Hardware ............................................................................................... 10
IV. Strength Ratings, Safety Factors, and Special Safety Considerations................................................................. 10
4.1 Strength Ratings and Safety Factors ..................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Special Safety Considerations for Xi-A Loudspeaker Arrays.................................................................. 12
4.3 Special Safety Considerations for Rigging Strap Assemblies................................................................. 14
4.3.1 Redundant Attachment Points................................................................................................ 14
4.3.2 Special Considerations for Polyester Webbing....................................................................... 14
4.4 Special Safety Considerations for Grid & Building Structural Supports .................................................. 14
V. Rigging Inspection and Precautions ..................................................................................................................... 15
5.1 Xi-A System Components...................................................................................................................... 15
5.1.1 Xi-A Loudspeaker Systems .................................................................................................... 15
5.1.2 Rigging Strap Assemblies ...................................................................................................... 15
5.2 Associated Hardware ............................................................................................................................. 15
5.2.1 Grid Assembly........................................................................................................................ 15
5.2.2 Chain Hoists........................................................................................................................... 15
5.2.3 Building Structural Supports...................................................................................................15
5.2.4 Mechanical Components........................................................................................................ 16
VI. Appendices ....................................................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix A Xi-A Rigging Accessories ........................................................................................................ 17
Appendix B References ............................................................................................................................. 17
B.1 Accoustical References ............................................................................................................ 17
B.2 Mechanical References............................................................................................................ 18
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual1
0. Rigging-Safety Warning
This document details general rigging practices appropriate to the entertainment industry, as they
would apply to the rigging of Electro-Voice Xi-A loudspeaker systems. It is intended to familiarize
the reader with standard rigging hardware and techniques for suspending Xi-A loudspeaker
systems overhead. Only persons with the knowledge of proper hardware and safe rigging
techniques should attempt to suspend any sound systems overhead. Prior to suspending any
Electro-Voice Xi-A loudspeaker systems overhead, it is essential that the user be familiar with the
strength ratings, rigging techniques and special safety considerations outlined in this manual. The
rigging techniques and practices recommended in this manual are, of necessity, in general terms
to accommodate the many variations in loudspeaker arrays and rigging configurations. As such,
the user is expressly responsible for the safety of all specific Xi-A loudspeaker array designs and
rigging configurations as implemented in practice.
All the general rigging material contained in this manual is based on the best available
engineering information concerning materials and practices, as commonly recognized in the
United States, and is believed to be accurate at the time of the original printing. As such, the
information may not be directly applicable in other countries. Furthermore, the regulations and
requirements governing rigging hardware and practices may be superseded by local regulations.
It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that any Electro-Voice loudspeaker system is
suspended overhead in accordance with all current federal, state and local regulations.
All specific material concerning the strength ratings, rigging techniques and safety considerations
for the Xi-A loudspeaker systems is based on the best available engineering information
concerning the use and limitations of the products. Electro-Voice continually engages in testing,
research and development of its loudspeaker products. As a result, the specifications are subject
to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that any Electro-Voice
loudspeaker system is suspended overhead in accordance with the strength ratings, rigging
techniques and safety considerations given in this document and any manual update notices. All
non-Electro-Voice associated hardware items necessary to rig a complete Xi-A loudspeaker array
(grids, chain hoists, building or tower supports and miscellaneous mechanical components) are
the responsibility of others.
Electro-Voice
June, 2004
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to
the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual 2
I. Introduction
1.1 The Flying Xi-A Loudspeaker Systems
The flying versions of the X-Array Install™ loudspeaker systems all incorporate a unique two-point
flying system that consists of two lengths of heavy-duty, L-track, aircraft-type rigging hardware on
the top and bottom of each enclosure. The design allows arrays to be assembled very quickly, and
offers such flexibility in the vertical angling of the cabinets that pull-up points are usually
unnecessary. Furthermore, the cabinets may be oriented with the rigging track on the top and
bottom of the enclosure or on the sides of the enclosure. For fire safety and additional structural
strength in both flying orientations, top-to-bottom and side-to-side metal straps link the rigging
track assemblies inside the enclosure. In addition, a line of flying hardware accessories is
available for use with the Xi-A loudspeaker systems from Sound Manufacturing, Inc. (See
Appendix A for available rigging accessories.)
II. Basic Xi-A Rigging Primer
2.1 Anatomy of an Xi-A Flying System
A basic two-cabinet flying system is shown in Figure 2.1a, illustrating the integral components that
make up a typical Xi-A loudspeaker array, where the enclosures are oriented with the rigging
hardware on the top and bottom of the enclosures. A similar two cabinet system is shown in
Figure 2.1b where the enclosures are oriented with the rigging hardware on the sides of the
enclosures. The top cabinets are the starting points for constructing the arrays in both examples.
These cabinets are first secured to a grid through the use of two grid straps per cabinet. (The
GS-1B grid straps are recommended.) The Xi-A enclosures are equipped with two pieces of track,
which have multiple positions where the grid straps may be attached. The linear positioning of the
attachment points along the track (front-to-back) determines the vertical angling of the enclosure.
The remaining ends of the grid straps are then secured to cross members of a grid. The relative
positioning of the straps along the cross members of the grid (front to back) determine the relative
horizontal splay angle between two adjacent columns of enclosures. A second row of enclosures
may be added below the original two by utilizing linking straps that attach from the lower track
pieces of the top enclosures to the upper track pieces of the bottom enclosures. (LS-1B, LS-2B
and LS-3B linking straps, each a different length, are recommended.) Additional cabinets may be
hung in succession in this fashion, as long as the load on any of the enclosures or rigging straps
does not exceed their working-load-limit rating. The loudspeaker/array/grid assembly is then
raised into position by a motorized chain hoist (or hoists) of sufficient load rating. Note that the
weight of such an array can be quite substantial and the building structural supports to which the
hoists are attached must be capable of supporting such a load with a sufficient safety factor. In
permanent installations, the chain hoists are often eliminated, with the grid assembly being
secured directly to the building structure. The reader is referred to Chapters IV and V of this
manual for a detailed discussion of the structural strength ratings of the Xi-A loudspeakers and Ltrack rigging accessories, and information on how to safely suspend Xi-A loudspeaker systems
overhead.
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual3
2.2 The Rigging Hardware
The Xi-A flying system utilizes the highest-tech aircraft-type hardware available for securing heavy
loads. Four pieces of heavy-duty, aircraft-type, “L-Track” rigging hardware, specially machined
extrusions of very-high-strength, aluminum-alloy material, are mounted in each enclosure. The
track pieces are secured to high-strength, aluminum-alloy brackets that are an integral part of the
Xi-A flying enclosure. Enclosure dimensions and rigging track locations are shown in Figure 2.2 for
all of the Xi-A loudspeaker systems. For attachment to the track, the GS-1B grid-strap assembly,
the LS-1B, LS-2B and LS-3B linking strap assemblies, the RS-1B double-stud, swivel-ring fitting
assembly and the RS-2B single-stud, swivel-ring fitting assembly are available from Sound
Manufacturing, Inc. (See Appendix A for details.) These assemblies, shown in Figure 2.3, have
been specifically designed for optimal implementation of the Electro-Voice L-track flying systems.
The GS-1B includes a double-stud, swivel-ring fitting on one end for attachment to the enclosure
and a safety hook on the other end. The safety hook may be attached to 5/8-inch shackles, or
may be secured directly to the grid through a 7/8-inch diameter hole in the grid bar-stock material.
The LS-1B, LS-2B and LS-3B have double-stud swivel-ring fillings on both ends for linking two XiA enclosures together. The GS-1B, LS-1B and LS-2B rigging straps utilize polyester webbing strap
material. Polyester webbing was chosen for its tremendous strength and because of its dynamic
flexing capabilities. The force from any sudden jolt or shift in the load is absorbed by the strap
rather than transmitted directly to the loudspeaker enclosure. In addition, polyester webbing is a
flexible material that is easy to handle.
Hoist Motor
Wire Rope Sling
5/8” Shackle
Grid
GS-1B
LS-3B
Hoist Motor
Wire Rope Sling
5/8” Shackle
Grid
GS-1B
LS-1B
Figure 2.1a:
Top and Bottom of the Enclosures
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual 4
Rigging Hardware on the
Figure 2.1b:
Sides of the Enclosures
Rigging Hardware on the
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Single-Stud Fitting Locations
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Xi-A Dimensions, Weight, Rigging Location, and Center of Gravity
ELECTRO-VOICE® Xi-A Rigging Manual5
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