I often get asked if different rope can be substituted in our TRACE™ Systems kits and devices, so I thought I’d share some images to get the point across. The first point I’d like to make is that the cycle fatigue testing has only been conducted on the 6mm TRC. If you substitute ropes, you’re on your own when it comes to longevity and durability.
We did slow pull tests with the Quickie Ascender™ on different micro ropes (New England and Sterling). This test simulates hauling or raising a load.
New England 3/16” Spectra Polyester – Sheath failure at 2.7kN
New England 5mm Tech Cord – Sheath failure at 2.5kN
Sterling 6mm PowerCord – Sheath Failure at 3.0kN
Sterling 6mm Accessory Cord – Sheath Failure at 3.0kN
TRACE Systems Rope (6mm) – No Sheath Failure, peak slip force of 3.3kN
As you can see, the answer is no; please don’t use any other rope with your TRACE™ Systems devices. If you’d like your rope tested with our devices, please send us a sample and we would be happy to do so.
April 18, 2013 at 00:45
maybe that means that the device must be improved
April 18, 2013 at 09:29
Thanks very much for the comment. In short, not really. If we change the parameters of the device to work with different rope, then it might slip at too low of a peak force on the rope it was designed for. I dont want it to work just ok on most rope. I want it to work perfect on one rope. Everything is a balance of give and take. You’ll notice that its cutting the sheath of nylon and polyester sheath ropes, and the Technora sheath slides – no sheath failure. It works extremely well with the correct rope; the rope we have a significant amount of test data on, including cycle fatigue data. The point of the blog is that the system works great as it is designed to. If, for whatever reason, you start to substitute different rope into the system, you’re on your own with no data to support what your doing, and a little data to argue against it. It is why the systems are sold as kits and not components.