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  1. #1
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
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    Arrow Catenary / Parabola Curve Calculator

    Catenary / Parabola Curve Calculator


    So I have used various curve generators in the past successfully after getting use to how they function. Over the past projects I have repeatedly tweaked them until I have finally ended up with a condensed ultra simple version. This will generate your basic catenary/parabola curves needed for cat-cut-tarps and bridge hammocks. And to the math experts, yes, I know it is not an exact parabola or catenary curve but I am confident that it is more than accurate enough for hammock and tarp applications.

    With this calculator/generator you only need to input the length of the curve and the desired depth of the curve. It will output the x and y cords for the curve. The Y cords is the length of the curve in increments of 1 and the x cords adjacent to it are the measurements for the depth of the curve.

    I hope this curve generator/calculator comes in as handy for someone else, as it has been for me on my projects. I tried to upload it to the site but the site only accepts xls docs and not xlsx docs which is the newer versions of excel docs. I didnt want to save in the old format because it would lose some of the conditional formatting. I have also uploaded this to my google docs so if you dont have Microsoft excel you can still use it on google.
    Here are the two links.

    Curve Calculator - Google Doc

    Calculator - Download
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Attached Files Attached Files

  2. #2
    Senior Member Deadphans's Avatar
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    Ohhh wow. Perfect timing! Should be getting a sewing machine from Santa, and materials shortly thereafter. Cat cut tarp for me! Possibly cuben fiber...not sure though,bi hear it is tough to sew and work with....
    "In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." -D'Signore's, Tide Mill Farm, Edmunds, Maine.

  3. #3
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Deadphans View Post
    Ohhh wow. Perfect timing! Should be getting a sewing machine from Santa, and materials shortly thereafter. Cat cut tarp for me! Possibly cuben fiber...not sure though,bi hear it is tough to sew and work with....
    Awesome. We'll at least one person found this useful so it was worth the post. The tarp projects are fun And fairly easy to do. Although I have never worked with Cuban fiber so I'm not sure how hard it is to work with. Good luck with your project and I hope it turns out great. Can't wait to see the finished product.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Meanderin'Speed's Avatar
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    This is going to be perfect. I'm planning on making some mini bridges for my kids when I get back home, so this will be really handy.

    Do I sense a sticky here?

  5. #5
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Meanderin'Speed View Post
    This is going to be perfect. I'm planning on making some mini bridges for my kids when I get back home, so this will be really handy.

    Do I sense a sticky here?
    Great! Mini bridges for the kids is awesome.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Mrprez's Avatar
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    I like it. Nice and easy to use. Many thanks!

  7. #7
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mrprez View Post
    I like it. Nice and easy to use. Many thanks!
    Thanks.

    If anybody has ideas for improvements, feel free to share and ill see if I can incorporate it into it.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    Excellent job! It looks great!

    Fronkey

  9. #9
    Senior Member Brancher's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by XTrekker View Post
    Catenary / Parabola Curve Calculator


    So I have used various curve generators in the past successfully after getting use to how they function. Over the past projects I have repeatedly tweaked them until I have finally ended up with a condensed ultra simple version. This will generate your basic catenary/parabola curves needed for cat-cut-tarps and bridge hammocks. And to the math experts, yes, I know it is not an exact parabola or catenary curve but I am confident that it is more than accurate enough for hammock and tarp applications.

    With this calculator/generator you only need to input the length of the curve and the desired depth of the curve. It will output the x and y cords for the curve. The Y cords is the length of the curve in increments of 1 and the x cords adjacent to it are the measurements for the depth of the curve.

    I hope this curve generator/calculator comes in as handy for someone else, as it has been for me on my projects. I tried to upload it to the site but the site only accepts xls docs and not xlsx docs which is the newer versions of excel docs. I didnt want to save in the old format because it would lose some of the conditional formatting. I have also uploaded this to my google docs so if you dont have Microsoft excel you can still use it on google.
    Here are the two links.

    Curve Calculator - Google Doc

    Calculator - Download
    XTrekker, this is PERFECT! I just got finished (like, this instant) sewing my ridgeline flat on the 11X10 Winter Tarp I'm building...So this is gonna be a lifesaver for me!

    Btw, I know there's a 'general' rule-of-thumb that you cat-cut about 1 " for every foot of curve...So that would mean that on a 5-foot side section (between the corner tie-out and the middle one) I need to go to a 5-inch depth. That seems pretty deep for my taste.


    Where did that guideline come from? Is there a 'minimum' depth you should go (ie, 1" / 1ft) or is it more personal taste? I know the JRB 11X10 isn't cut nearly as deeply as some others. Anybody?


    Thanks!
    sc
    SLD Streamliner DL
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    "When In Charge, Ponder. When In Trouble, Delegate. And When In Doubt, Mumble."

  10. #10
    Senior Member XTrekker's Avatar
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    The cat cuts just help spread the load across the fabric evenly. It's up to the designer to decide how much to cut depth to use. It comes down to preference really.

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