Unusual used ABTT as the launch pad for its modular tension wire grid (TWG) system and an accompanying accessory, the TWG Pointsleeve, both of which were developed to meet the needs of the new Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, due to open in January 2011.

The modular tension wire grid system was designed and built to architect specification to cover the whole of the 1750 sq m auditorium in the Congress Centre, the shape of which required Unusual to design 76 different panel profiles. Comprising 173 individual frames, with 2.5kN per square metre load capacity, the grid was installed across six levels, with balustrades, stairs and vertical safety nets between each level. The Congress Centre has been designed to provide a venue for a wide variety of events, both national and international, and as a congress hall will cater for up to 3,000 delegates.

Unusual’s new accessory is the TWG Pointsleeve, designed to prevent abrasion of the grid mesh by chains and wire ropes, as well as damage to electrical cables passing through the grid. Hardwearing and maintenance free, the TWG Pointsleeve is simply and easily installed without the need for tools, with a single pin locking it into place.

Mark Priestley, project manager at Unusual, said: “The client in Stockholm asked us to provide some kind of protection for the grid and although other devices exist, they usually require tools to install. We felt there ought to be a better method.  Like all good ideas, it’s really simple and we believe that it has even more potential – we’re considering developing it further for steel gratings and channel grids.”

The TWG Pointsleeve shown at ABTT is compatible with Unusual’s 70 mm sq TWG panel and will sell for approx £20 a unit depending on demand, although some would be included free of charge with orders for the company’s own grids. In black and bright yellow, it is also a brilliant way of marking suspension points for variable format rigging – the unit can be left in position and marked as required on the wipe clean label.  Priestley added that the company would be happy to produce other sizes if there was sufficient interest.