Glossary

BMU (Building Maintenance Unit): a device used to assist in the maintenance of large structures (skyscrapers, stadiums, etc.). See here

Bolster extensions: provide a support to place and align the die before moving it into the press. They are used to bridge the gap between the press and the carts on rails or the shuttles. See here

Building Dynamics: architecture that is adaptive, interactive, reflexive and responsive ; also called kinetic architecture. See here

Car lift: an elevator designed for the vertical transportation of vehicles. Designs range from single vehicle/single level to multiple See here

ChainLift: the classic time-tested SERAPID ChainLift is the proven technology for the vertical movement of heavy loads. It is mainly used in the industry sector. See here

Chain Mail: SERAPID newsletter archive, issues from 2018-2020

Die table: a staging table for die change, it typically has rollers and a push-pull mechanism mounted on top to assist in removing and inserting dies. These units can be fixed in place or portable. See here

DMX: DMX Controllers control multiple lighting and audio fixtures for stage production. SERAPID Telescopic Masts are available as DMX compatible units. See here

EN81: one of two new European standards for the design and manufacture of lifts, introduced in August 2014. Our systems are compliant with applicable standards under the Machines Directive 2006/33/CE, the Lift Directive 2014/33/UE, standards EN 81-20:2014 and EN 81-41. See here

End Stage: a thrust stage extended wall to wall, like a thrust stage with audience on just one side, i.e. the front.

EventPodium: a compact, travel-durable stage lift for in-performance use, specially designed for touring shows. See here

Fixed and removable die clamps: fixed clamps allow the die change process to be fully automated and are permanently built into the press bolster, which requires standardised press interfaces. Removable clamps are manually inserted, allow for more flexibility in die interface, but do not allow for full automation. See here

GPO (Gerbeur Porte-Outils in French): the SERAPID die stacker truck is a die handling machine for moving heavy dies from storage to the press and back. The system is all-in-one and easy to handle. See here

Goods Lift: Cargo or freight lift: an elevator designed for the vertical transportation of goods. Can be Man riding or non-man riding. See here

HDLift: the same concept as the classic ChainLift but designed for the most demanding industrial environments, good for high frequency applications of over 15 cycles/hour and a minimum service life of 1 million cycles at maximum load. See here

Hydraulic actuators: hydraulic systems use an incompressible containerised fluid to transmit force. Drawbacks are limited acceleration, extra space requirements, fluid leakage, environmental concerns and reliance on fossil fuels.

Kinetic architecture: a concept through which buildings are designed to allow parts of the structure to move, without reducing overall structural integrity. See here

Lead screw actuators: this technology uses a threaded nut, which is driven via the screw thus translating rotary motion into linear movement. Drawbacks include surface wear which reduces the system’s life cycle; limited speed, stroke and load capacity.

Lifts Directive: (2014/33/UE)

LinearBeam: a compact and powerful linear actuator composed of a drive casing, an active chain guide, a magazine chain guide and a rigid chain. It is designed to move heavy loads over long strokes. See here

LinkLift: an electromechanical telescopic actuator specifically designed for the vertical movement of heavy loads using rigid chain technology. The LinkLift is suitable for lifting heavy loads in industry, scenery equipment, and for the movement of structural elements in the construction industry. See here

Machinery Directive: (2006/42/EC)

Meridian lift: a large circular stage platform lift with or without additional centre lifts. See here

Orchestra (Orchestra pit lift): A lift/elevator similar to a stage lift, but specific to the area housing the orchestra or musicians, typically in front of the stage. See here

Proscenium stage: possibly the most recognisable type of theatre arrangement, an end stage with the front playing area framed picture-like by a structure known as the proscenium.

Push-Pull system: this die-positioning system makes it possible to accurately position the die by pulling it into the press or pushing it onto the loading equipment, and can be easily retro-fitted. See here

QDX (Quick Die eXchange): the SERAPID brand of quality products and systems for the quick die change. See here

QSX (Quick Seat eXchange): the SERAPID patented venue transformation system. Allows different seating configurations with straight or curved rows. See here

RCT (Rigid Chain Technology): a proprietary technology based on an interlocking chain link design that keeps the chain completely rigid while in use with the chain coiling back into a compact space when withdrawn. RCT is only available from SERAPID. See here

Rigibelt: the RigiBelt merges two rows of chain like the teeth of a zipper, forming a solid drive block. All materials are non-magnetic: the toothed elements are made of hard plastic, the belts of flexible plastic. The drive mechanism is partly made of stainless steel or anodized aluminum. See here

Rigid Chain actuators: these electromechanically driven actuators use Rigid Chain Technology to transmit force and move loads. The systems have a remarkable stroke and load capacity and are eco-friendly. The actuator is telescopic, only occupying the active space when in use. See our range here

RollBeam: a mechanical linear actuator that uses Rigid Chain Technology for push/pull applications in industrial environments. A RollBeam drive is a unit of drive housing, push chain and chain magazine. The various standard magazines allow optimal configuration according to the required stroke and available space. Multiple units can be combined to increase capacity or optimize system geometry. See here

Rollers: SERAPID DIN 650 roller ramps and/or ball ramps fit in existing T-slots on the press bolster. These devices lift and assist in the positioning and movement of dies. 

SCT Chain: SERAPID’s scenery movement system. This low-noise horizontal system moves scenery by attachment to a chain system fixed in tracks under the floor. See here

SERAPID: the word “SERAPID” is the contraction of 2 French words “Serrage” and “Rapide” which means "quick tightening". Patented name of the Group.

SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die): a system to reduce dramatically the time it takes to complete equipment changeovers. SERAPID’s QDX range of products has what you need for SMED implementation. See here

Stage lift: An elevator system for a theater stage floor, may consist of a single unit or articulated sections.

Stage wagon: A scenery wagon, also known as a stage wagon, is a mobile platform that is used to support and transport movable, three-dimensional theatrical scenery on a theater stage.

Storage magazine: the part of the overall actuator system that stores the retracted rigid chain.

Stroke: the maximum distance a shaft travels from a fully retracted to a fully extended position.

Telescopic jib: an actuator consisting of a specific rigid chain, which can be deployed over several metres without being supported, and thus ensures control operations or small mechanical work in very confined environments such as tanks, containers or cells. See here

Telescopic mast: a self-supporting telescopic mast lift or push-pull operated by electromechanical actuators using Rigid Chain Technology. Combined with aluminium profiles, the masts operate vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Compact and extremely stable, they are self-contained, have a small footprint, and provide repeatable, accurate positioning. See here

Thrust stage: a stage surrounded by audience on three sides with the fourth side providing the background.

TriMast: for lifting the heaviest loads within a compact space, this is a heavy-duty mast system that synchronises three SERAPID Telescopic Masts and reinforces its stability with a series of steel plates. See here

Truck Lift: an elevator designed for the vertical transportation of commercial vehicles. See here

Vertical LinearBeam: an actuator that was specially developed for domestic or public elevators, elevators for the disabled and for service lifts. Our systems meet applicable requirements under the Machines Directive 2006/42/EC, the Elevator Directive 1995/16/EC and the EN 81-82 and EN 81-41 standards. See here