Glossary of Terms

6061-T6 aluminum

An aluminum alloy that has excellent corrosion resistance to air and salt water. It is an easily welded, tough alloy that responds well to anodizing.

Caged bearings

Caged bearings are roller bearings held in a cage that keeps them separated from each other and parallel to reduce friction. Caged bearings are featured in winches and Black Magic® pulleys.

Captive bearings

Captive bearings are ball bearings that are contained so they won't spill during product maintenance. Black Magic® pulleys have ball bearings held captive by the lip of the sheave. Carriage cars feature ball bearings held captive by a wire guide.

Carbon black

Carbon Black is a color additive used in black Delrin® ball bearings, pulley sheaves and sideplates to protect against UV wear.

Clear-coat anodized (or Clear-anodized)

Clear aluminum anodizing is an electrochemical process that produces a corrosion-resistant finish. It also hardens the surface, making components less prone to scratches and dents. It is “clear” because the protective layer isn’t thick enough to change the color of the component (though dye can be added). More rigorous anodization, such as Hardkote, can give components a black or colored hue.

Delrin®

Composite material well-suited for low- to moderate-load applications. Black or (in older-model pulleys) white. Delrin is used in ball bearings, sheaves, and pulley sideplates. Delrin sideplates are often reinforced by stainless straps.

Dynamic loads

Light to heavy loads that require frequent adjustment. Minimizing friction is a key design requirement for dynamic loads because friction increases the amount of power needed to move and adjust the load.

Endstops

Endstops are used at each end of the track in a carriage system to absorb shock loads and prevent the car from rolling off the end of the track.