Ever wonder what it looks like to push aerial equipment to the limits?

In February 2021, we were able to visit the Rock Exotica facility in Northern Utah to do some scientific destructive testing on our Aerial Angel™ Rigging Plate, Hollowblocks™ and Low Stretch Aerial Fabric! Video and blog coming soon for the results of the Hollowblock™ and low stretch fabric pull tests!

Aerial Safety is important to us. We strive to create innovative and modern rigging solutions for our customers so that they can achieve their aerial dreams! When we engineered and designed the Aerial Angel™ Rigging Plate we had both of these goals in the forefront of our minds. This plate is not only elegant and superior in strength, but extremely functional across a variety of apparatuses. Our customers love the versatility of having various points of connections (and to be able clip into them safely).

This aluminum plate has an MBS rating of 23kN (approx. 5,000 lbs. ). When we performed this static pull destructive test we did so at the weakest axis. Typically, you would use this plate in a vertical orientation, with the angel wings pointing upwards. Clipping into the top and bottom pick points will provide you with the strongest orientation. For this test, we flipped the plate upside down and then connected from the “top pick point” to only one of the angel wings, giving it an offset axis (and the weakest orientation this plate might be used). You will see this demonstrated in the video.

So what did it take to actually break this plate? Drumroll please…over 10,000 lbs (or 44kN) at the weakest point! You can watch the destructive test in action through the video below.

Remember, this test is for educational purposes only. Please do not attempt to recreate your own destructive testing and always make sure you are using your equipment appropriately.

Fly safe and we are always here to help you #GetVertical with confidence through our products and services! Let us know if you enjoyed this video/blog and what other destructive tests you would like to see performed!