Theater Rigging System

Hoffend & Sons Inc. offers Vortek, an automated system to control theater rigging. The complete rigging system automates and manages the raising and lowering of scenery, eliminating the steel weights, locking rails, and loading bridge associated with counterweight systems.

Each Vortek unit contains a small computer, making it possible for all units to be controlled from one central command position. The system’s fully mechanical, continuously applied, variable load brakes operate independently of any electric or drive train system. The Vortek Automation Center uses touchscreens and menus to control the entire rigging system, including variable speeds, cueing, and precision grouping.