WHAT IS MAGNETIC BRAKING?

Magnetic braking utilizes magnets to make an object slow down or stop. A far superior braking technology than friction, magnetic braking is smooth, reliable, and extremely safe. Because it is friction-free, it also results in longer lasting products with fewer replacement parts. That's why our patented magnetic braking system is the secret sauce behind our most popular devices, including the TruBlue Auto Belay, the ZipStop zip line brake, and the QuickFlight free fall device.

HOW MAGNETIC BRAKING WORKS

When a user loads their weight onto one of our devices, centrifugal force sends aluminum rotor arms spinning into the magnetic field of stationary magnets within the device. The movement of aluminum past magnets creates a phenomenon called an “eddy current” within the device. Eddy currents are circular electrical currents, named because they flow like eddies in a river. The force of the eddy currents opposes the force of the magnets, providing resistance and slowing the release of webbing from the device.

ADVANTAGES OF MAGNETIC BRAKING

When it comes to braking, there are two major technologies to choose between: Magnetic and Friction.
Why do TruBlue devices use Magnetic Braking? Let's compare:

	Magnetic	Friction
PHYSICS	Magnetic braking systems rely on eddy currents that oppose changes in the magnetic field. This opposing force between the magnets and conductive arms in the auto belay creates drag. This field is always active but intensifies as the centrifugal force moves the conductive arms over the magnets.	Friction braking systems, like the one used in the Perfect Descent auto belay, rely on the resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another. This friction is triggered by the centrifugal force created by the climber as they descend.
MECHANICS	Centrifugal force pulls the conductive arms on the rotor into the magnetic field which induces tiny electric currents inside the drum. These unique, circular currents (called Eddy Currents) generate their own magnetic field back onto the spinning rotor arms, which opposes the release of the webbing spool.	Centrifugal force pushes internal brake pads out against the braking drum, thereby slowing your descent to a safe and controlled speed. If the brake was always active, the webbing would retract very slowly, so these devices typically use a clutch system to disengage the brake during ascent (retraction).
DESCENT	The more the climber weighs, the more conductive material enters the magnetic field, the more braking is applied. Thus, magnetic auto belays are self-regulating, offering the same descent experience to climbers of all weight types.	Friction braking mechanism will create a descent experience that will vary by the weight of the climber.
WEAR AND TEAR	A magnetic braking auto belay endures cycle after cycle without deterioration of braking performance. There are no contacting, sacrificial wear parts that degrade in proportion to the number of climbs, which is why magnetic auto belays are more often used for high throughput facilities.	Friction brakes create high thermal energy inside the device, causing the braking mechanism to deteriorate (a phenomenon called brake fade), resulting in increased descent speeds during heavy use. A friction brake will deteriorate as the number of cycles increases because the brake dust itself affects the braking mechanism, and the heat also reduces braking friction.
PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE	Since magnetic brakes use non-contacting components, dust and rain will not affect the brakes' performance under normal conditions.	If a foreign substance, like water, gets inside of a friction drum brake, it can change the frictional properties of the brake mechanism.
DYNAMICS	Suitable for the types of dynamic loading and “slack” falls that are common in climbing.	Not recommended for dynamic loading and “slack” falls, as these cause damage to the internal components.
SERVICE	Non-contacting components reduce service cost for braking components.	Friction brakes require re-placement of brake pads as they wear.

CERTIFIED TO THE MAX

As one of the world's leading manufactures of adventure equipment, we believe it is our responsibility to take the lead in
regulation and safety requirements. That's why all of our equipment is third-party tested to the highest safety standards.

TruBlue AUTO BELAY

TÜV SÜD CERTIFIED

10x Class A
AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices - Part 3: Fall arrest devices
CSA Z259.2.3-99: Descent Control Devices
EN 341: 2011 Class 1A: Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Descender devices
RFU PPE-R/11.128:2019: Recommended for Use for descent control devices used in climbing gyms, rope courses
ANSI/ASSE Z359.4: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components
EN 360:2002: Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Retractable type fall arresters

ZipStop ZIP LINE BRAKE

PROTECTION AT SPEED

Compliance with all applicable requirements of ASTM F2959-18 Standard Practice for Aerial Adventure Courses.

Applicable standards include:

Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)
EN 15567-1 Sports and Recreational Facilities – Ropes Courses, Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA)
ASTM F2959 Standard Practice for Aerial Adventure Courses
ASTM F770 Standard Practice for Ownership and Operation of Amusement Rides and Devices.

QuickFlight Free Fall Device

10X CLASS A

AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Part 3: Fall arrest devices
CSA Z259.2.3-99: Descent Control Devices
EN 341: 2011 Class 1A: Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Descender devices
ANSI/ASSE Z359.4: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components
EN 360:2002: Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Retractable type fall arresters
Conforms to Regulation (EU) 2016/425