B&M facets

Just curious if anyone knows for sure why B&M's box section is faceted.

http://www.rcdb.com/installationgallery1549.htm?Picture=17

Not sure if it provides structural support, or if it's generated in the manufacturing process. Maybe Rideman knows....

How else would you form a square spine into curves?

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

---

needless quotation removed -J

---

Simply translate the bend over the complete section rather than isolate it at certain locations as in this model:

http://badnitrus.coasterbuzz.com/view.asp?id=4&which2View=coaster&pic=7

If I had to guess...I would say it's a factor of simpler and more stable sheetmetal prefab; putting a diimensionally simpler kink or two in an otherwise flat piece versus bending an entire piece to meet and hold several more complex dimensions.

*** This post was edited by Dale Picolet on 1/23/2003. ***

*** This post was edited by Jeff on 1/23/2003. ***

It is much easier to make a lot of little triangular pieces and weld them together in the shape of the curve you want then to make hundreds of long pieces and bend them this way or that. The rails are bent to the curve they want because it is pretty easy to do and they make machines for that kind of bending.

-----------------
Wood Rules!

-----------------
Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

This was kinda discussed here http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=23230 a long long time ago.

-Seth