Chief CMA348

The Chief CMA348 Large Venue Vibration Isolating Coupler is designed for large-venue projector installations where building vibrations — from HVAC systems, foot traffic, road noise, or doors shutting — can cause unwanted image movement on screen. Acting as a mid-column isolator, it connects two Chief CMS extension columns (1.5" NPT threaded) and absorbs vibrations before they reach the lower column and projector. The patented design supports systems weighing 15.9 to 45.4 kg (including column, mount, and projector combined) and is sized to fit within a standard 60 x 60 cm ceiling tile grid. It is the go-to solution for auditoriums, houses of worship, conference centres, and any large-span ceiling installation where image stability is critical.

Effective Vibration Isolation for Large Venues

In large venues such as auditoriums, houses of worship, and conference halls, projectors are often ceiling-mounted on long extension columns that act as antennas for building vibrations. HVAC systems, foot traffic on upper floors, road vibration, and even a door closing down the hall can travel through the structure and into the column, causing the projected image to shake or drift. The CMA348 is inserted between two Chief CMS columns and uses a patented mechanical isolation mechanism to break the transmission path of these vibrations before they reach the lower column and the projector. The result is a stable, sharp image throughout the event — without the need to re-aim or recalibrate the projector between uses.

High Weight Capacity for Complex Rig Systems

The CMA348 is rated for total suspended system weights of 15.9 to 45.4 kg — this figure covers everything below the isolator: the lower CMS column, the projector mount, and the projector itself. This range is broad enough to cover heavy installation projectors paired with large-format mounts such as the VCMU (approx. 15 kg on its own). Knowing the exact capacity ceiling helps integrators configure the correct column and mount combination without over-engineering the rig or risking an undersized installation. For reference, common Chief mounts like the RPAU weigh approximately 1.8 kg and most CMS columns under 30 cm weigh under 0.5 kg, leaving substantial capacity headroom for the projector.

Stops building vibrations. Keeps the image still.

Patented design · Compatible with Chief CMS columns (1.5" NPT)

Fits Standard 60 x 60 cm Ceiling Grid

With overall dimensions of 15.2 cm (height) x 58.4 cm x 58.4 cm (footprint), the CMA348 is specifically sized to fit within a standard 60 x 60 cm suspended ceiling tile grid. This means the coupler plate can be concealed above the ceiling tile without requiring structural modifications or custom cut-outs, keeping the installation clean and simplifying compliance with ceiling grid load requirements. For integrators working in commercial buildings where the ceiling grid is a fixed boundary, this dimensional fit eliminates guesswork at the planning stage.

Retrofittable Without Projector Realignment

The CMA348 can be added to an existing Chief CMS column installation without changing the projector's position or lens alignment. This means a venue that has already commissioned and calibrated its projection system can benefit from vibration isolation as an upgrade — a particularly practical advantage in sites where the projector is blending into a multi-screen setup or has been precisely keystone-corrected. Downtime is limited to the physical installation of the coupler between the two column sections, and no re-setup of the projector or screen geometry is required.