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Abacus scoop top award for innovation

In supporting Kempton Racecourse bid to gain approval to floodlight their 2000m racecourse, Abacus Lighting called upon their wealth of lighting design and engineering expertise, and its world class manufacturing capability to overcome some demanding planning challenges, one of which has lead to the company winning first prize for Innovation, in the Nottingham Business Awards 2006.

Abacus Lighting was one of three companies to reach the finals held at a formal presentation evening attended by leading dignitaries and business leaders.

Commenting on the award, Geoff Hall, Managing Director states “In creating the RL Sequencer we had to bring together a team of mechanical and electrical engineers to solve the complex issues at hand. This award reflects the quality and expertise of all our design engineers, but above all their ability to work as a team.”

A major environmental concern was the need to protect the panoramic view of the countryside surrounding the racecourse. The floodlighting system is required for a limited number of race meetings a year; hence the mast system could present an unnecessary intrusion when the floodlighting is not in use. In order to comply with local authority planning guidelines, a number of masts needed to be lowered after each race meeting.

In order to facilitate this, Abacus developed the RL Sequencer, a fully automated version of its base hinged raising and lowering mast. The base assembly of the raising and lowering mast has been re-engineered to incorporate permanent hydraulic rams and a mechanised pivot assembly which triggers the raising and lowering of the mast.

A Programmable Logic Control device in conjunction with positional sensors co-ordinates and monitors each step of the raising and lowering sequence, ensuring a fail safe operation. Due to the sheer number of masts that needed to be lowered, Abacus design engineers developed a control system that would allow groups of up to six masts around the course to be simultaneously lowered.

The design engineers could have linked all twenty four of the masts together and lower them simultaneously. However for safety reasons, groups of masts were formed and a strict lowering programme implemented to ensure course safety. Twenty four of these automated masts were installed around two thirds of the ten furlong floodlit racetrack.

Email: jclark@abacuslighting.com