Pneumatics used to create a bigger bang with air cannons

The Rolling Stones' latest world tour started in Toronto in August 2005. Since then, the group has performed in front of sell-out audiences on 116 occasions at 103 different venues around the world, spanning North and South America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. The tour culminated in Vancouver on 25 November 2006.

Hailed by many as the world's greatest rock and roll band, the Stones are renowned for the quality and sheer dynamism of their performances – making each successive tour series a harder act to follow. For the 'Bigger Bang' tour, the Stones' stage set and production designer, Mark Fisher, was presented with something of a conundrum. In addition to an 'explosion' of sound, which would normally be created by pyrotechnics, it was decided that each concert should end with a spectacular display of movement.

Fisher and the constructors of the stage set – Brilliant Stages – chose to investigate whether pneumatics could provide the necessary performance, and sought the help of automation specialist Parker Hydraulics and Pneumatics to develop the system.

The resulting pneumatic system comprises 36 air cannons that fire 30-metre ribbons of Trivera fabric from the top of the stage set, accompanied by explosive sounds. Each cannon consists of a small high-pressure air reservoir that is pre-charged by a compressor; upon command, the reservoir quickly discharges its entire contents to the barrel of the system, which is essentially a 15cm diameter, metre-long tube, packed with a Trivera ribbon. The system works very much like the Cheetah bead seaters used by tyre fitters, which discharge a high volume of air very quickly to help seat tyres on vehicle wheel rims prior to inflation to the correct pressure.

Parker Hydraulics and Pneumatics choose to use Festo components for all the pneumatic control functions. They are an approved Festo Premier Stockist, and knew that Festo's mechanically-actuated ball valves offered an excellent means of controlling the output from the cannons' air reservoirs. The ball valves have a high-volume throughput capability, accommodate high air pressures and feature an inherently safe, blow-out proof shaft that is assembled from the inside of the component. Each ball valve is driven by a Festo quarter-turn pneumatic actuator that provides a very fast response, controlled by a Namur series solenoid valve. The solenoids are wired back to the stage set's main sound and effects management desk and triggered manually when required.

According to Tony Bowern, General Manager of Brilliant Stages: "The performance of our new air cannons has far exceeded expectations. The sound that they make is quite incredible, and the visual affect is superb! The system provides a dramatic audio-visual finale for each concert and has proved remarkably robust, having performed flawlessly on every occasion."

About Brilliant Stages

Brilliant Stages Limited is described as a world leader in specialist stage set fabrication. Founded in 1980, the company is now part of the TOMCAT Global Corporation. In the entertainment sector, its clients include the Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, U2, Elton John, Sting, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Tina Turner and Dire Straits. Brilliant Stages also created the Millennium Dome Central Stage Show, a satellite test enclosure for Matra Marconi (Space), and a corporate stand for the Orange Arrows F1 Team. For more information about the company and its services, visit www.brilliantstages.com.

About Parker Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Parker Hydraulics and Pneumatics Ltd is a leading automation supplier. The company specialises in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical components and systems, and is renowned for the quality of its technical support. It is a recognised stockist for a large number of prestigious automation companies, including Festo. For more information about the company's products and services, visit www.parkerhydraulics.co.uk.