A special jib traveller

This is a nice traveller track. Looks like the whole package is machined from one piece of alu.

http://www.focusmfginc.com/pictures/JB/jb-2.jpg
http://www.focusmfginc.com/pictures/JB/jb-3.jpg
http://www.focusmfginc.com/pictures/JB/jb-4.jpg

I suppose this is not cost effective unless you have access to the equipment for free, but it was a really nice track.

So, do tell the source of this track and a bit about the circumstances behind it?

I dont know much more. It is a Tornado track and made in Canada. I just though it was very nice and something F16 homebuilders might consider as an option if they have access to the right equipment. The owner/maker of the track probably falls into the latter category. Makes me wonder how much it would cost to machine these and ship them compared to buying something from Harken, Ronstan etc.

Hi Rolf,

my friend wants to refit his classic Tornado with the self-tacking jib. Hence he has to build the jib traveller and - after seeing the pictures - I am wondering why this one (and some others) has four hinges. I assume that the jib sheet is only loaded, if the traveller car is at the left or right end and then only there hinges are needed.

Cheers,

Klaus

Nice track, the interesting fact is how is the piece held in place so the milling machine can process it in 3d. I assume the 3d milling machine processes the part and leaves some supporting brackets somewhere which were cut off manually.
Does anyone have access to a 3d milling machine? Can he confirm or explain how is the piece held in place ? I simple planar CNC router with depth control should be able to make the part in a 2 part process, front milling -flip part/block - back milling -then remove needed supporting brackets and grind it a little. If somebody can acces the machine for free, I believe the cost of the material is less than ready made curved tracks. So Rolf, find someone who works with a CNC router and convince him to convince the boss and etc to leave the machine running one night. There's almost no labor involved except for submitting the file to the machine and securing the Alu block to the table. There's got to be some engineers here working in designing and producing parts for the industry/market.
If a cnc planar router with depth control is to be used then the key is to manage to make the front and back milling to coincide after flipping the piece, while a 3d milling machine wouldn't require that and will do all the milling with the piece standing upright.

The chap that made this track is in Vancouver area. He's very handy with his home miling machine. Made me a nice delrin plug for my new spinny pole.

I've let him know of this thread...hopefully he'll join in soon.