From initial calculations and computer modelling, to the design, construction and installation of the steelwork and wire rope, the creation of a Cablenet virtual floor® is a complex and highly skilled process. And while engineering qualifications are of course essential in the design of a high level platform, just as important is the experience gained through real life installations.

The design of the Cablenet tension wire grid must take into account the particular requirements of the venue. These, normally specified by the theatre consultant, will include the number of people to be supported, whether theatre lighting will be suspended above or below and whether there’s to be a rigging requirement. Other considerations will include the size, pitch and even colour of the cable.

Working to these critical requirements, an initial design is modelled to assess tension load deflections under point and distributed loads and, once this has been resolved, the Cablenet design can take shape.