UK – AED’s SL18 Showlift has been named ‘Engineering Product of the Year’ at the ABTT Awards.
The DMX-controlled automated production lift is unique in the industry, offering theatre and live event lighting designers a brand-new set of tools to add dynamics. Its quiet, smooth and fast operation, and the fact that it can be controlled by a 2-channel DMX signal from a lighting desk, has been attracting attention since it was launched.
The ABTT Awards’ panel of judges praised the AED-SL18 as “a piece of engineering equipment with the lighting designer in mind. With a small lifting platform that can take the weight of a moving light and controlled from the same DMX system as the moving light, the Showlift allows all the programming to sit in one place.”
David Baker, Commercial Manager at AED UK, says: “We’re thrilled that the AED-SL18 has been recognised as ‘Engineering Product of the Year’ by the ABTT Awards’ judges. AED worked closely with VMB to create this innovative product, which is engineered to provide a powerful mix of clever mechanics and clean aesthetic design alongside easy-to-programme set up and deployment. It’s fantastic to see it making waves in the industry and enhancing shows.
“Thank you to ABTT and the Awards judges – everyone at AED is honoured to accept this award.”
Inside the AED-SL18, the inertial lift offers smooth operation up and down and when multiple units are used, all can operate at the same speeds and heights when programmed using timecode.
“In addition, we designed the SL18 to offer economic and environmental transportation benefits, ensuring four units will sit across the width of a standard European trailer,” Baker continues. “Every aspect of the Showlift has been created with the user in mind and we’re very proud of that.”
Each SL18 weighs 162kg, has four outriggers and an active footprint of 1 x 0.8m. The base of the lifter has four swivel wheels for easy set-up and positioning on stage. It also includes integrated flight case latches directly built-in to the base that brings transportation dimensions to 0.8 x 0.6m. It has a 55kg lifting capacity and lift will reach a height of 4.15m in under four seconds.
It is exclusively distributed by AED Group.
The hotly contested ABTT Product Awards for Engineering, Sound, & Lighting were open to any company or individual whose products are substantially new to the market during the last twelve months and are available for purchase, immediate delivery and use.
The awards ceremony took place at London’s Alexandra Palace during the ABTT Theatre Show in June.