Bonfiglioli gearmotor and U2
For the recent world tour of the famous rock band U2, Bonfiglioli have supplied the geared motors to raise and lower the massive audience video screens, weighing over 50 tonnes.
Bonfiglioli supplied the UK based automation experts Kinesys, who designed and manufactured the bespoke motion control system that moves and shapes the ‘transforming’ 360° video screen used at the venues.
The video screens are mounted in the middle of a giant 4-legged “claw” structure that sits centrally in the stadium, with the stage below, allowing the audience to surround it and offering superb sight lines from all angles.
The screens are moved up and down by 8 x 7.5 tonne winches, each driven by a Bonfiglioli HDP series gearbox and 37 Kw motor, speed controlled.
These winches are capable of speeds of up to half a metre a second – although some of the moves involve traveling just 2m over 5 minutes, providing the very slow and smooth movement required. The specification called for very quiet operation, which the geared units were able to meet.
The overall weight of the units is an important factor, along with requirement to fit the winch drum to the output. The Bonfiglioli HDP units are able to facilitate the use of the desired winch drum, due to the gearbox overall centre distances, without over sizing, and therefore minimising the weight. The complete winch still weighed 2.5 tonnes, with the gearbox itself weighing over 1 tonne.
The motors are supplied with “theatre” double brakes, hand release, and shaft extension for manual movement if needed.
Original press release
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