STAGEMAKER motors operated by AED studios

Catering the needs of international players in the audio-visual sector and the realm of live performances, the AED group achieves these both by renting out and selling standardised products embracing the techniques of sound, lighting, image projection and the lifting of stage equipment and by the letting of a complex of fully operational studios for cinema, television and event productions.

A studio complex in the heart of Belgium AED at Lint, near Antwerp, runs one of Europe´s largest audio-visual production complexes. Covering a surface area of 25,000m², the company rents out 16,000m² of studios, 4,000m² of offices and can supply any postproduction equipment or facilities required by cinema or TV teams.

The company is very attached to its industrial heritage. In the entrance hall, for the benefit of customers and visitors, are exhibited audio-visual and stage equipment tracing the history of techniques in the industry. Using museography it displays lamps, cameras, microphones, mixing desks, image projectors and for the lifting section, the display of Verlinde motors used by AED over many decades, like the first manual screw hoist (1858), the first L104 motor, the LITACHAIN LI5, the STAGEMAKER SM10 range and finally the latest generation of the STAGEMAKER SR line with the SR10.

Filip Van Vlem, AED Communication Director, declared: “Energy economy is a major concern for us and the integration of photovoltaic panels in our studios´ roof structures goes hand in hand with the use of STAGEMAKER hoist motors for ceiling grids. They replace energy consuming lifting trucks while providing flexibility, efficacy and time savings for our customers.”

Van Vlem added: “When a TV programme or film is being produced, studios equipped with these motors enable all equipment mounted on arched supports to be rapidly put in place. STAGEMAKER motors lower the beam on which lighting, microphones, cameras or video projectors used for the performance will be fixed to place them at the right height when required. Using this equipment, adjustments or modifications are fast and easy. Lastly, disassembly by the technical team after performances is very much faster resulting in improved profits for the producer.”

STAGEMAKER SR10, a well thought out decision Filip Van Vlem commented: “We have worked closely with VERLINDE for many, many years, both for our rentals business and for the studio equipment business and from time to time we suggest improvements that are integrated in the development of products. Safety is decisive for us because equipment placed in the arched supports by the motors is just above performers, presenters and the public.”

However he said that no risks can be taken whatsoever: “Le STAGEMAKER SR10, with its lifting capacity of up to 1 tonne, is the first guarantee, backed by the double lifting brake, the torque limiter and the electric limit switch, safety features we consider indispensable. For our operations, hoist speed is not a decisive factor. On the other hand, motors must run smoothly, with or without load, to ensure that equipment fixed on the arched support is not subjected to jerking.

As for the control of motors, we have standardized the type of control panel, there also for the question of safety. We can control motors individually or by groups just by pressing a single button.”

STAGEMAKER above the performance:

Collaboration between VERLINDE and AED goes back a long way and is based on a mutual awareness of needs with an ongoing concern for quality and for the provision of reliable equipment. Since  STAGEMAKER motors were installed in the Lint studios, they have operated above the filming of ‘Iron Sky’, ‘A quiet passion’, ‘Aéroport’ and the following TV series: Belgium´s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, and Wouf. The arched supports of the studios are only their birthplace.