Cortland Introduces Aerolock™ Synthetic Connector
Cortland has unveiled its groundbreaking AeroLock™, a radically new design in soft connectors.
ANACORTES, Wash., November 5, 2024 (Newswire.com) - AeroLock is engineered to replace traditional synthetic and steel shackles, addressing critical safety concerns in sectors like commercial marine, mining, and heavy towing applications.
AeroLock is a high-performance UHMWPE synthetic fiber rope solution which incorporates a custom-engineered alloy pin for a more reliable connection. An abrasion-resistant jacket protects against harsh environments and supports working load limits up to 176,400 lbs. Breaking strengths exceed 880,000 lbs. Patent-pending AeroLock has undergone tensile and extensive field testing in actual rope-on-rope operations.
“One of our primary design goals as we developed AeroLock was to reduce or eliminate the risk of often fatal accidents caused by steel and knotted shackles failing under load,” said Cortland International Global Engineering Director Thanasis Varnava. “Even with a regular schedule of knotted soft shackle inspection, there is no reliable method for detecting and measuring wear or potential of failure.”
When used with Cortland Toro® or Plasma® towing lines of similar capacity to the AeroLock™, there is no de-rating for the tow lines since the proper bending diameters are maintained. Lighter than both steel and knotted products, AeroLock is easy to open and close without tools, allowing for quick, repeated rigging and reduced operating costs.
“This design is exactly what we were looking for. AeroLock™ has outperformed our expectations, replacing three steel shackles in a tow bridle with a fully loaded barge in northern Alaska.”
– Capt. Mike LeDrew, Foss Maritime
Central to decades of product design and production is Cortland’s focus on eliminating the risk of extreme injury from recoil when steel cables or connectors fail. Synthetic rope products absorb energy immediately in the case of failure of a steel component and simply fall to the ground instead of snapping back and striking workers.
Cortland International CEO Stuart Janke said: “AeroLock is a radical innovation in connector design and engineering focused on user safety. We knew from the beginning that rigorous testing in real-world applications was essential. AeroLock has exceeded expectations and positive feedback from on-board crews has been overwhelming.”
AeroLock will be available on display at the 2024 International WorkBoat Show – visit Cortland’s team in Expo booth 1338.
Cortland’s commitment to quality and innovation ensures that AeroLock™ not only enhances operational efficiency but also prioritizes the safety of workers in high-risk environments. This product sets a new standard in connector technology, offering unmatched strength and performance for industries that demand reliability. Learn more about AeroLock™ and Cortland at www.cortlandcompany.com
About Cortland International
Cortland Industrial is a division of Cortland International, a global designer, manufacturer, and supplier of technologically advanced synthetic ropes, slings, tethers, and strength members. With more than 40 years of application and design experience, Cortland possesses exceptional institutional expertise in load transfer, towing, deepwater subsea exploration, and tethering to solve complex challenges in often hostile environments.
Source: Cortland International
