X-Ring origins and alternatives

[rfwoodvt]

Been checking out X-rings and what else might be out there. I see that ABR has come out with their version as well as AllGear coming out with some as well.

Tree stuff has the X and ABR versions anyone know where the AllGear versions can be had?

Also, it seems that the X comes from other round thimbles that were used in the marine industry. Anyone know where? Anyone know of such rings made in stainless?

 

[Brocky]

I think they were made to replace pulleys where a rotating sheave isn't needed.

I saw them years ago on apsltd.com. The only ones offered then we're made by Antal. A quick check back there shows Harken and Schaefer offered also.

Sorry haven't seen any stainless.

 

[Pelorus]

Google "low friction marine rings" and you will see several manufacturers, as Brocky just mentioned.
Reckon there is nothing terribly proprietary about their manufacture. Kinda like shoelaces.

edit: this may be useful if you are thinking of making some in stainless. I'd be interested in buying some from you if you do.

The hyperbolic paraboloid (not to be confused with a hyperboloid) is a doubly ruled surfaceshaped like a saddle. In a suitable coordinate system, a hyperbolic paraboloid can be represented by the equation[2]

For c > 0, this is a hyperbolic paraboloid that opens down along the x-axis and up along the y-axis (i.e., the parabola in the plane x = 0 opens upward and the parabola in the plane y=0 opens downward). Wikipedia excerpt.

 

[Brocky]

Also found more companies: Ronstan, Selden, Tylaska and Wichard.

 

[Pelorus]

Precisely.

All these various manufacturers rings have a doubly curved surface with a non-zero Gaussian curvature. And can be re-branded "X", "Y", "Z" rings. Mebbe not "X" rings since one enterprising chap scored that deal already.

 

[Z'sTrees]

I think there may be an issue with heat dissipation when using steel. From what I remember from the article on the 'buzz the aluminum rings with the hard anodized coating provided the best heat dissipation and wear.

 

[rfwoodvt]

Google "low friction marine rings" and you will see several manufacturers, as Brocky just mentioned.
Reckon there is nothing terribly proprietary about their manufacture. Kinda like shoelaces.

edit: this may be useful if you are thinking of making some in stainless. I'd be interested in buying some from you if you do.

The hyperbolic paraboloid (not to be confused with a hyperboloid) is a doubly ruled surfaceshaped like a saddle. In a suitable coordinate system, a hyperbolic paraboloid can be represented by the equation[2]

For c > 0, this is a hyperbolic paraboloid that opens down along the x-axis and up along the y-axis (i.e., the parabola in the plane x = 0 opens upward and the parabola in the plane y=0 opens downward). Wikipedia excerpt.

Though I seldom understand math symbols or formulae, THIS is definitely the kind of info and data I love to see when talking tinkering. Thanks!!!

 

[Pelorus]

If I use a fig 8, be it SS or aluminum, to rappel quickly down a spar, the fig 8 gets hot. Uncomfortably hot. But is it rope-damaging hot?
Just as the dose makes the poison, the length of the run is gonna determine how hot things get.
The book "On Rope" mentions a fatal accident involving heat causing rope failure with a Fig. 8, but that involved several hundred feet of rope.

Math remains my Achille's heel, rfwoodvt, but it is fun to pretend to understand this stuff!

 

[roxy]

Shelter Tree has or will have the AllGear rings. They are blue.