'Plate Mate' on new construction?

[ken cierp]

I use .10" +/-

[peter havriluk]

Thanks!

[Dave Bagwill]

This odd-looking bracing system - I've cropped off some of the oddness :-) - has an interesting feature, in that the main part of the bridge plate appears to be the same material as the top, but with this difference, that a piece of carbon fiber has been inlaid where the ball ends will be pulled up against it.

The cf is very light of course, and very hard - what do you guys/gals think of the concept?

[Tim Benware]

If it sounds good and works for its intended purpose, I think it's great. But one has to decide if what seems to be the extra effort to install it is worth it.

[peter havriluk]

This is an opportunity for an engineer who is familiar with composite materials to speak up.

[Dave Bagwill]

I was just pointing out that, if a brass plate is a viable option (and to many, it is) then something lighter and tougher, CF, might be viabler. (Yes I made up that word). The extra effort would be minimal I would think.

[peter havriluk]

Dave, I think you're making a very valid point. I just don't know whether c/f sheet is good stuff to take point loads at the edges of holes in it. For sure its inflexibility would stiffen the bridge plate's bending under string tension.