Plastic Clamping Blocks

[SJaladi]

We used plastic clamping blocks in conjunction with the single reduction clamping gearboxes for our elevator gearboxes. We experienced a problem where if ALL the thru-bolts, not just the clamping ones were not installed, the gearbox cracked under high tension loads. This is partially because we cantilevered the chains that drive our elevator, but once we drilled and installed all the thru-bolts, this problem was alleviated and our elevator ran much more smoothly.

The clamping gearboxes worked like a charm for this purpose and they were super easy to install. Overall I would highly recommend both these products, but make sure to mind the types of loads you are placing on them. They are plastic at the end of the day, and will fracture if loaded too heavily. I'll try to dig up a picture from our cad of how we implemented them.

[Richard Wallace]

We used them in our drivetrain this year, but not in our elevator. For a game with more severe shock load requirements (read: defense) I would have been more concerned about their plastic construction, and that might have kept me from trying them. I am glad we did.

Through two events and 34 matches so far this season, they are holding up fine. I would use them again, possibly even when we need to play defense in some future game.