Electro-Voice XLC User Manual
XLC Rigging Manual
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
Table of Contents
Rigging-Safety Warning.............................................................................................................................................. 2
0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 3
1 XLC Rigging System ............................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Overview of the XLC Flying System ........................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Enclosure Rigging Hardware Details ....................................................................................................... 5
2 XLC Rigging and Flying Techniques ..................................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Array Considerations ............................................................................................................................. 10
2.2 Rigging an Array Using the XLC Front Dollies ....................................................................................... 10
3 Rigging-Strength Ratings, Safety Factors, and Special Safety Considerations ..................................................... 15
3.1 Working-Load Limit (WLL) and Safety Factor Definitions ...................................................................... 15
3.2 Structural Rating Overview .................................................................................................................... 16
3.3 Simplified Structural-Rating Guidelines ................................................................................................. 16
3.4 Complex Structural-Rating Analysis ...................................................................................................... 18
3.5 Wind Loading......................................................................................................................................... 24
3.6 Electro-Voice Structural-Analysis Procedures ....................................................................................... 25
4 Rigging Inspection and Precautions ...................................................................................................................... 26
References ............................................................................................................................................................... 28
Notes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29
1
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
Rigging-Safety Warning
This document details general rigging practices appropriate to the entertainment industry, as they
would apply to the rigging of Electro-Voice XLC loudspeaker systems. It is intended to familiarize
the reader with standard rigging hardware and techniques for suspending XLC 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 XLC 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 XLC 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 XLC 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 XLC loudspeaker array
(grids, chain hoists, building or tower supports and miscellaneous mechanical components) are
the responsibility of others.
Electro-Voice
July, 2002
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
2
0. Introduction
The XLC (X-Line Compact) loudspeaker systems represent an important step in line-array
technology for small- and medium-scale sound reinforcement. The individual loudspeaker drivers,
acoustic lenses, acoustic waveguides, enclosures and rigging hardware were all designed
specifically for the XLC product line to not only achieve the highest acoustic output with the
highest fidelity, but also to produce a precise wavefront from each element to achieve state-of-theart line-array performance. A brief description of the product line is included below. The XLC
loudspeaker systems are shown in Figure 1 with key dimensions and weights.
XLC-127: Three-way, LF/MB/HF loudspeaker system with a 120°H x 7.0°V coverage pattern. The
system includes one DL12ST 12-inch (305-mm) LF driver, two DM65 6.5-inch (165-mm) MB
drivers and two DH2T-16 2-inch (51-mm) HF drivers. The XLC-127 has a switchable crossover
that allows either biamp or triamp operation. The XLC-127 utilizes an enclosure that is trapezoidal
in the vertical plane (with an 8° total included angle) and has the standard XLC 8° rigging frame
secured to the left and right enclosure sides.
XLC-127+: Three-way, LF/MB/HF loudspeaker system with a 120°H x 7.0°V coverage pattern.
The system includes one DL12ST 12-inch (305-mm) LF driver, two DM65 6.5-inch (165-mm) MB
drivers and two ND6-16 3-inch (76-mm) HF drivers. The XLC-127+ has a switchable crossover
that allows either biamp or triamp operation. The XLC-127+ utilizes the same 8° trapezoidal
enclosure as the XLC-127 and has the same standard XLC 8° rigging frame secured to the left
and right enclosure sides.
XLC-118: Subwoofer loudspeaker system with one EVX180B 18-inch (457-mm) woofer. The
XLC-118 utilizes an enclosure that is trapezoidal in the vertical plane (with a 12° total included
angle) and has the standard XLC 12° rigging frame secured to the left and right enclosure sides.
22.50in
(572mm)
8.31in
(211mm)
19.44in
(494mm)
Center of Gravity
39.00in
(991mm)
Top View
Center of Gravity
11.02in
(280mm)
Cent.
Rear View
Weight: 116 lb (52.6 kg)
8.31in
(211mm)
Ref
C
L
14.25in
(362mm)
Side View
Front View (Without Grille)
Figure 1a: XLC-127 Loudspeaker System
3
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
22.50in
(572mm)
(202mm)
7.94in
Center of Gravity
11.02in
(280mm)
Cent.
Rear View
19.56in
(497mm)
Weight: 111 lb (50.3 kg)
7.94in
(202mm)
Ref
14.25in
(362mm)
Front View (Without Grille)
Side View
C
L
Figure 1b: XLC-127+ Loudspeaker System
22.50in
(572mm)
Center of Gravity
39.00in
(991mm)
Top View
Center of Gravity
16.64in
(423mm)
Cent.
ELECTRO-VOICE®
Rear View
Side View
Figure 1c: XLC-118 Loudspeaker System
XLCTM Rigging Manual
Weight: 120 lb (54.4 kg)
9.38in
(238mm)
Ref
C
L
9.38in
(238mm)
21.44in
(545mm)
19.50in
(495mm)
39.00in
(991mm)
Center of Gravity
Top View
Front View (Without Grille)
4
1. XLC Rigging System
1.1 Overview of the XLC Flying System
The XLC loudspeaker systems have been designed to construct acoustic line arrays. Acoustic line
arrays typically consist of independent columns of loudspeaker systems. This simplifies the
rigging system.
The XLC loudspeaker enclosures utilize a hinged rigging system that makes constructing arrays
easy, predictable and repeatable. This front-hinging rigging concept allows arrays to be
constructed with the least possible spacing between enclosures. The front and back rigging
hardware for linking two enclosures together are captured as an integral part of the side rigging
frames.
A basic array is shown in Figure 2 that illustrates the integral components that make up a typical
XLC flying system. The XLC enclosures are vertically trapezoidal - taller at the front than at the
back. The enclosures are hinged at the front corners using rigging hardware specially designed
for the XLC system. The enclosures are linked at the rear using rigging arms that have multiple
attachment positions. The different positions adjust how close the back corners of the enclosures
are pulled together; hence, adjusting the vertical angle of the bottom enclosure.
1.2 XLC Enclosure Rigging Hardware Details
On each side of the enclosure is an XLC rigging frame assembly. All the rigging hardware needed
to fly a column of XLC enclosures is an integral part of a high-strength aluminum-alloy rigging
frame. The structural load is transmitted through the frame minimizing the load on the loudspeaker
enclosure shell. Figure 3 illustrates the XLC enclosure rigging hardware components. Figures 4a
and 4b show key dimensions for the rigging hardware.
At the front of the frame is a rectangular rigging tube. Captured inside the rigging tube is a rigging
connector called the button bar. The button bar is constructed from a high-strength aluminum
alloy. The button bar can slide out the top of the tube and be locked into position as shown in
Figure 2. The portion of the button bar sticking out the top would be inserted into the front rigging
tube of an enclosure above, linking the two enclosures together and forming a hinging point
between the two enclosures. The button bar can also be fully retracted inside the tube for
transportation.
Each button bar has two spring-loaded buttons that extend out of the bar. The front rigging tube
has two holes that lock the buttons from the bar in place. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom button
locks the button bar in place at the top of the tube. The exposed top button is then used to lock
the button bar in the tube of an enclosure above. For transportation, the button bar would be slid
down inside the tube and would be locked in the tube using the top button.
At the rear of the frame is a rigging slot. Captured inside the rigging slot is a rigging connector
called the swing arm. The swing arm is constructed from a high-strength aluminum alloy. The
swing arm can be pivoted to stick out the top as shown in Figure 3. At the bottom of the frame, the
rear rigging slot has a series of holes.
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ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
Grid
Swing Arm
Angles Between
Enclosures fixed by Pins
through the Swing Arms
and Rear Rigging Slot
Holes
Hoist Motor
Button Bar
Eight XLC Enclosures
Hinged at the Front by
the Button Bars and
Front Rigging Tubes
XLC Enclosures
Figure 2:
Typical XLC Flying System
The swing arm from an enclosure below can be pivoted up so that one of the quick-release pins
may be inserted through the holes in the rigging slot on the frame and the slot in the swing arm,
linking the two enclosures together. The vertical tilt angle of the bottom enclosure is then
determined by the hole in which the swing arm is pinned. The XLC-127 and XLC-127+ enclosures
may be angled from 0° to 8° in 1° increments, while the XLC-118 enclosure may be angled from
0° to 12° in 1° increments. The angle adjustment holes are detailed in figures 4a and 4b. This pin
fixes the maximum distance the back corners of the enclosures may be separated.
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
6
Specifically, this means that when the enclosures are suspended, the back of the bottom
enclosure will rotate down until the pin is stopped at the end of the slot in the swing arm. This one
pin will not prevent the back corners of the enclosures from coming together. When landed, the
enclosures will compress together until their back corners touch. The enclosures can be locked
apart by inserting a second quick-release pin in the rear rigging holes directly above the first pin
at the end of the swing arm as shown in Figure 5. With a second pin, the swing arm becomes
immobile and the array becomes rigid so that when it is landed, the enclosures are locked at the
selected angles.
Two quick-release pins on lanyards are attached to the rear rigging frame for pinning the swing
arm. An XLC system can often be flown using only a single pin - the one that passes through the
slot in the swing arm. The choice of whether to add the second pin is left to the user. This decision
is often based on personal preferences regarding the technique of transferring the enclosures
from the array to dollies for transport in touring applications. In some situations, however, the
second pin is required. Two pins must always be used whenever a pull back is necessary to tilt
the entire array downward more than gravity will allow. If a second pin is not used, the shape of
the array will change as the pull back is applied. Another example where a second pin is required
is when an array with a large vertical arc is created. Gravity may not allow all the enclosures to be
angled apart as much as necessary. In this case, the second pin is necessary to hold the
enclosures apart to achieve the desired array shape. If the user decides not to use the second pin
to hold enclosures apart at the rear, the pin should be installed in the swing-arm transport hole to
prevent it from dangling and catching on something or getting in the way. Using this hole, the
swing arm may be pivoted down into the rigging slot on the frame and pinned into its fully
retracted position for transport.
Quick-Release Pins to
Lock Swing Arm in Rear
Rigging Slot
Rear Swing Arm
Top Spring-Loaded
Locking Button
Swing-Arm Slot
XLC Enclosure
Front Button Bar
Bottom Spring-
Loaded Locking
Button
Swing-Arm
Transport Hole
Rear Rigging Slot
Holes in Rigging Slot to
Pin the Swing Arm from
the Box Below
7
Figure 3a:
XLC Rigging Hardware
ELECTRO-VOICE®
Hole in Rigging
Tube for Locking
Button
Button Bar Knob
Front Rigging Tube
Hole in Rigging
Tube for Locking
Button
XLCTM Rigging Manual
0.38in
(9.7mm)
4.88in (124mm)
4.75in (121mm)
20.90in
(531mm)
R4.94in (125mm)
1.00in
(25.4mm)
Typ.
5.63in
(143mm)
Typ.
8.75in
(222mm)
C
1.22in
(31.0mm)
Typ.
L
38.22in
(971mm)
Cent.
Dia .385in
(9.8mm)
(11 Plcs.)
.730in (18.5mm) Typ.
.730in (18.5mm) Typ.
.365in (9.3mm)
Side View
0.65in
(16.5mm)
Typ.
7° Hole
5° Hole
3° Hole
1° Hole
.300in (7.6mm)
8° Hole
6° Hole
4° Hole
2° Hole
0° Hole
Hole Detail
Scale = 3:1
Figure 4a:
XLC-127 and XLC-127+ Rigging Dimensions
Front View (With Grille)
37.53in
(953mm)
Cent.
Rear View
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
8
0.32in
(8.1mm)
7.79in (198mm)
7.67in (195mm)
20.90in
(531mm)
R6.30in (160mm)
1.00in
(25.4mm)
Typ.
9.22in
(234mm)
Typ.
12.34in
(313mm)
C
38.22in
1.22in
(31.0mm)
Typ.
L
(971mm)
Cent.
Dia .385in
(9.8mm)
(15 Plcs.)
.737in (18.7mm) Typ.
.737in (18.7mm) Typ.
.368in
(9.4mm)
CORRECT INCORRECT
Side View
.300in (7.6mm)
Hole Detail
Scale = 3:1
0.65in
(16.5mm)
Typ.
11° Hole
9° Hole
7° Hole
5° Hole
3° Hole
1° Hole
12° Hole
10° Hole
8° Hole
6° Hole
4° Hole
2° Hole
0° Hole
Figure 4b:
XLC-118 Rigging Dimensions
Front View (With Grille)
37.53in
(953mm)
Cent.
Rear View
= Pin
Figure 5:
Dual Locking Pin Rigging Configurations
9
ELECTRO-VOICE®
XLCTM Rigging Manual
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