The Grasshopper (tm) winch is a mechanism used to launch model sailplanes hundreds
of feet into the air. The device uses a constant-force-spring to store energy. Most of the components were made at emachineshop including: the sheet metal base, sheet metal brackets, injection molded gears, tow line guide rods, injection molded spool plates, gear shafts and spring connectors.
"Quite easy to use. Within only about 10 minutes I had it downloaded, installed, and had designed and priced a brass cog with 32 teeth, 1 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. The quote was immediate."