Cutting plasma rope

Hello Dave-

This is an extreme statement, so I make it in jest, but I could build
something out of balsa wood that would serve when someone asked if I
have a guillotine, I could reply with some confidence, "Yes, I have a
guillotine"! 8)

BJ

Dave Martin wrote:

Hi Bob

I do not think we have numerous winch builders on this
side of the pond, possibly four in Europe.

Before we get into expensive guillotines we need to
prove the cable with the kit we have. Part of the
cost effective equation would be installing new guillotines
on existing winches. Possibly developing a graft on
guillotine so the winch can use either steel or synthetic.
I don't see a major technical problem with this just
an expense that may prevent clubs from adopting the
rope

But first let us prove the cable.

Dave

PS I can report that I have had several generous offers
of financial help. A few more and we could be looking
at a realistic project.

Dave

In an attempt to summarize the search for an effective
synthetic rope
guillotine then, I would say that we are expecting
to develop an
emergency line cutter at least as effective and safe
as those we
already employ against steel lines, stranded and solid,
moving and
stationary.

Since the numerous winch builders and users on your
side of the pond
will by necessity be building and rigorously testing
an ideal unit
fairly soon, we'll be interested in learning of your
solution(s) to the
problem!

I personally favor trying a 'cigar cutter' powered
by a compressed gas
cylinder. The cutting blade could be veed to gather
the line into the
stationary blade and suitable finger guards can be
added to prevent
injuries. The actuating cylnder diameter can be made
as large as
necessary to multiply the bottle force enough to secure
a successful
cut. Also, at least two units could be installed to
provide a backup.

In the oilfield we use diaphragm operated rising stem
valves that could
be adapted for trials by developing a new valve 'trim'.
A typical 6-inch
diaphragm valve would have about 25 sq in of area.
Powered by only a 100
psi cylinder, around 2500 lb of downward force would
be available to the
descending stem. That ought to cut something.

A plus is that the valve body could have short pipe
nipples screwed onto
each end, rendering personal injuries a non-issue.
These nipples could
also be used to secure the unit the the winch by use
of heavy duty pipe
clamps. Finally,the higher the pressure, the larger
the gas cylinder and
the smaller the diaphragm, the faster the unit would
operate.

BJ