Reliable 720° rotation of the grandstand in the Puy du Fou theme park

The Théâtre des Géants is a technological masterpiece – built on an area of 9,000m2 in 13 months and with no fewer than 12 building permits. Setting the audience in motion by rotating the grandstand weighing hundreds of tonnes with 2,400 spectators at 1.2m/s in the middle of the scenery is extremely complex. This is because all 18 4K video projectors, the audio system and the various lighting systems have to keep pace with the movements of the grandstand. And that requires a large number of electrical cables and fibre optic cable. All these cables, which are essential for the show, have to make almost two laps at 1.2 metres per second during each performance several times a day.

In previous projects with rotating elements, the operators had already learnt that a simple cable line did not last long and breakdowns usually occurred on a Saturday morning or on the eve of a three-day summer weekend. Such a risk of failure had to be minimised at all costs for the new, ultra-modern attraction, especially as the material is subjected to far more intensive use here. Every year, there are 700 performances and more than 100 rehearsals on the program. For this reason, the company was looking for a mature**, durable industrial solution**. Punctual delivery, fast installation and minimised maintenance were also important requirements.

Because the quality of igus products had already been fully convincing in previous projects, the park operators once again turned to our project planning experts. The solution is a fully harnessed, compact Multi Rotation Module (MRM).

The circular two-storey trough system is equipped with four lateral, reverse E4.42 energy chains from the E4.1 series. Plastic sliding plates in the steel troughs ensure a long service life for the chains, as do extension links inside the chain, which enable better weight distribution and greater stability. Because each chain can be opened from both sides, the cables are easy to reach. The cables are protected by strain reliefs as well as separators and spacers that hold each cable in position and provide them with sufficient space.

Le Puy du Fou also relies on igus quality for the cables: specially developed for movement in energy chains, chainflex control, motor and data cables with a TPE outer jacket can withstand high cycle numbers in rotary applications without any problems.

The system is self-sufficient and requires no additional drive or control system. The maintenance is minimal: it is limited to a simple check once a year to adjust the strain relief if necessary.

The complete package with the cables pre-fitted by igus was delivered on time and was assembled in a very short time. Since then, the system has been running without failures and has helped to ensure that millions of visitors can enjoy the show in motion.