Track Curving Information

HORIZONTAL PLANE - 'A' BEND

In situations where cars and fittings are required to rotate around a central pivot point, horizontal ‘A’ curving of the track will ensure the load applied to the car remains vertical. This results in maximum strength and free rolling ability being maintained by the car. Maintaining this vertical alignment also ensures tension in an attached purchase system remains constant, a feature often sought after in sailboat mainsheet and boom vang traveller systems.

VERTICAL PLANE - 'B' BEND

Traveller tracks can be curved vertically to fulfill certain requirements.
They can be top mounted or underhung mounted with either concave or convex track curves.
‘B’ Curves are often required to match the mounting surface to which a track is to be fixed; as when matching deck camber on a sailboat.
‘B’ curving can also be used to maintain constant tension in a rotating purchase system mounted on a traveller car. This application is very popular on sailboat mainsheet and self-tacking jib systems where the increased load applied to the car during tacking or gybing may affect sail trim or cause the car to stick.

CURVED TRACK SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Specifications are required for each type of curve, including two critical dimensions (three if possible), and clear drawings where possible.

Critical Dimension Required

In many ‘B’ curve situations, the radius R is not known and it is easiest to specify the curve by C (chord length) and O (offset) values. In these cases, the radius the track is to follow MUST be constant.

MINIMUM BEND RADIUS

It should be noted that:

For the best results, track should be ordered pre-curved from Ronstan.
Ordering
1. Specify the type of track profile (by product no.)
2. The type of curve required ‘A’ Curve (horizontal) or ‘B’ Curve (vertical) Concave or Convex.
3. Provide the appropriate dimensional specifications as described above.