So what am I reading on the Aerotech site?

What’s the deal with cross-brand compatibility?

Pro75® and Pro98® reloads kits fit both our own hardware, and RMS™ systems. The only difference is the type and number of o-rings used. All ProX™ cross-brand compatible reloads are supplied with the o-rings required for each type of hardware.

History:

While CTI had planned all along to develop 75mm and 98mm products in the ProXX line, originally we had not planned to make them cross brand compatible but instead wanted to incorporate some fresh approaches as we did with the smaller sizes.

Before we had started any real work on the 75mm and 98mm products, a commercial customer asked us if we would develop some high thrust M class 98mm reloads that would fit their inventory of RMS™ 98/10240 hardware. Their test program was in serious jeopardy as the supply of reloads had dried up due to the disaster at Aerotech's plant. We said sure, no problem, and began work developing a custom reload for their application, the M3800. The only component that was not readily available was the nozzle; so we manufactured a mold for compatible nozzles. CTI already had in-house mold making and compression molding equipment so this was no big deal. The time from receipt of order to the first test firings was no more than about two months - our customer was in a hurry! The M3800 worked perfectly in their tests, and more were subsequently ordered. This quick-turnaround work led to a production contract for larger booster motors.

Once word spread through the rumor mill that we had made the M3800's, we got frantic requests from our Canadian dealers and customers for RMS™-compatible reloads as their large motor HPR activity had nearly ground to a halt due to lack of supply. So we also made a compatible single-throat nozzle mold for 75mm reloads and brought in a supply of liners, inhibitor etc. Several prototype 75mm and 98mm motors were flown at the ROC Lake launch in June 2002, all in RMS® hardware.

After that it quickly became apparent that there was great interest in and a need for 75 and 98mm reloads to fit flier's existing hardware. People told us they wanted alternatives, and the concept began to make more and more sense especially in light of the high cost of large hardware. Therefore we forged ahead with development of a complete line of reloads for the sport rocket market. We also designed our own hardware, incorporating our own ideas for improvement wherever possible while maintaining compatibility.

The concept of alternate brand (non-OEM) consumables or repair parts is nothing new in the world of commerce - this goes on in a vast array of industries; copiers, printers, automobile parts, ammunition to name just a handful. It therefore is somewhat inevitable that it would surface in the sport rocket market at some time. We just did it first!

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mhanna said:

Still a little confused, If there is a CATO who to I contact for any guarentee possibilities? hardware or propellant vendor?

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Maxitout said:

I just read this on the Aerotech site as well. Very interesting. But, it begs two more questions: 1. Can you use a spacer with these reloads? and, who's spacer? 2. What are the "other brand" reloads? Inquiring minds want to know.....


Phil L.

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mhanna said:

Still a little confused, If there is a CATO who to I contact for any guarentee possibilities? hardware or propellant vendor?

Click to expand...