ShowTex Launches New Range of Stage Motion Systems and Ecological Velvets at Prolight + Sound 2011

This year marks the first time the Belgian fabric specialist ShowTex took part in Prolight + Sound. The company' stand design features a printed dance floor, an ecological velvet main curtain , a circular glassless mirror, and the latest in stage motion control systems for drapes and decorative fabrics.

The popular Shakespeare and Molière flame retardant cotton velours developed by ShowTex are the first in the industry to be awarded OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which for 20 years, has been acknowledged as the world's most comprehensive and verifiable method for ensuring that textile products and the supply chains that create them do not use hazardous chemicals such as pesticides, carcinogenic dye stuffs, heavy metals, or other concerning substances that can hurt people and damage the environment. The certification can be applied to every phase of production, from fiber to fabric to finished products, confirming that all elements are free from harmful levels of dangerous substances.

Shakespeare velvet velour is 100% cotton, weighs 500g/m2 and meets flame-retardant standards NFP-M1 * BS-2B. The all cotton Molière drapes have a plush upright pile, weigh in at 600g/m2 and also meet the strict NFP-M1 * BS-2B flame retardant standards.

In addition, the Ultrablack option in both of the velvets, absorbs more than 99% of incoming light across the whole visible spectrum, making these the "blackest curtains in existence," the company claims.

A range of inventive motion systems and DMX controllers developed by Wahlberg Light and Motion Design was presented by ShowTex at ProLight + Sound. The Winch 10 and Winch 50 are ideal for lifting and moving minor props, screens, carpets, and decorative fabrics. Speed and positioning are made possible by 16 bit DMX channel control at the lighting desk. Both system, have a built-in positioning system with millimeter precision.

ShowTex has also added a new Roll Up system to its stage hardware range. The Hi Speed Roll Up is an ultra-fast, heavy-duty motorized roll-up system for heights up to 49' and widths up to 197'. It can lift up to 330.5lbs at a speed of 5'/second. The product features a unique positioning control via DMX and is easy to assemble and tour, the company says. To complete the range, ShowTex also presents the Wahlberg Roll Up system for lifting heights up to 39' and a weight capacity of 55lbs. DMX control allows for precise positioning.

The DC motor controller 70W and AC motor controller 370W/2,200kW are great tools for controlling advanced mechanical stage movements via DMX, the company says. Direction, speed and position are controlled from the light¬ing desk and with simple programming the movements can be adjusted in each individual case.

Rounding out the ShowTex track movement systems on display was the Vertical ChainTrack. Created for heavy-duty motorized precision vertical movement of lights, fabrics, set pieces, and stage elements, it allows users to increase the number of possible lighting posi¬tions, create dynamic wave movement in stage fabrics, and much more. Combine with the TMC DMX Pro motor and controller for live integration into show by setting the three DMX channels in real time or programmed positioning with millimeter precision.