The purpose of cat tracks?

[esscher]

I'm a new builder and am trying to understand all the steps in producing skis, and haven't seen a good explanation of what the cat tracks do. Could someone shed some light on this?

Thanks

Esscher

[rockaukum]

Basically,
A cat tract will help to ensure that the pressure created by the hose will be evenly distributed across the width of the track and therefor the ski / board. The hose is round when inflated (although it flattens out a bit under pressure) and as long as it contacts the track it will generate pressure across the track. Make sure you use something between the cat track and the ski lay-up otherwise you will get little ridges. These are acused by the little spaces between each tube in the cat track.
rockaukum

[esscher]

So in this press, it does not utilize a cat track... Is that because their isn't any gap between the two hoses?

Scott[/img]

[rockaukum]

That would be my assumption. However if you put two hoses together and inflate them you will see a gap between the hoses )(.
Use of the cat tract will avoid this )( .
The cat track is not necessary. Just make sure you have good contact across the ski / board.
ra

[kelvin]

There is a gap between the two hoses. However, each hose is wide enough to cover a ski.

-kelvin