Breaking Cable

[dubious elise]

Originally Posted by WebWader125

I figured that the greatest weight our robot would need to lift is 260 pounds (our own robot plus one trying to pull us down). So we ordered 468-pound test.

To make sure this was adequate, we used the line to lift a student who weighed over 200 pounds. Lifting was no problem, but a little bouncing would break the line.

My team also employed the use of SPECTRA with about a 400 lb test. We ordered 100ft and divided it three ways so that I could braid all of it into one very long and extremely durable line. We had a similar fear that the cable might break, so we purchased another 100ft to duplicate the process. Luckily, the original line lasted through two regionals, nationals, and a number of demonstrations.

My assumption is that braiding the spectra, when possible can only add strength. Even 200 lbs can create quite a force when bouncing on just one line. I strongly suggest spreading the weight to two or more lines if you can, just to be safe!