Wire rope is a critical component of many pieces of equipment that is used to help contribute to so many building and construction projects. Rope is one of the simplest inventions, yet it is indispensable to some processes.
Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company offers the best wire rope, slings, cordage, and fall protection systems for many industries, including construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing, as well as lifting companies. We also offer many services, including self-retracting lifeline repair, proof testing, and safety seminars. Our mission is to not only help you perform your jobs easier, but also to keep you safe. Below, we’ll take a look at the construction of wire rope. Contact us today to learn more!
CHARACTERISTICS OF WIRE ROPE
When shopping for wire rope, it can be difficult to know what to look for. However, by knowing and understanding some basic wire rope characteristics, you will be well on your way to choosing the right wire rope for you needs.
Length
Wire rope is often quoted in total number of feet when wrapped around a spool.
Size
Inches or millimeters are both used for quoting wire rope. The size of wire rope does refer to its diameter.
Strand Patterns
Strand patterns in wire rope are important to understand. When you see strand patterns, the manufacturer of wire rope is referring to the number of layers of wires, the wires per layer, and the size of the wires in the layers. Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company notes that the confusing part is that wire rope can use only one of these strand patterns or more than one, which is why understanding them is crucial before you buy any wire rope. Some of the types of strand patterns you will find include:
- Single Layers. Like the name implies, there will only be layer of wire wrapped around the center core.
- Filler Wires. This is a two-layer wire strand where the wire size is the same and the inner layer only has half the number of strands at the outer layer. Thus, smaller filler wires are then used to fill in the gaps made by this construction.
- Seale. Seale strand patterns eliminate the need for filler wires because a seal pattern uses two layers of wire strands around your core, but both are complete layers with no spaces to fill.
- Warrington. Using two layers of wire strands around a center core, a smaller diameter of wire lines the inner layer and a larger diameter of wire lines the outside. The larger wires fill in the gaps.
- Combination. Anything goes for combination wire rope. You can combine any of the above to create the ideal wire for your needs.
Preformed Wire Rope and Non-Preformed Wire Rope
As the name implies, preformed wire rope is formed in the manufacturing process that sets the strands in their helical shape. Preformed wire rope is easier to spool and therefore is the type preferred by utility companies and others who need large amounts of wire rope. Non-preformed rope is not shaped during the manufacturing process and is less flexible and lasts a shorter amount of time than preformed rope.
Layering of Wire Rope
Wire rope can be laid in different patterns that serve different functions. Some layering terms refer to how the wires are laid to form a strand, or some layering terms refer to how the strands are laid around the core.
Regular Layering
This is by far the most popular type of layering because it is the kind that resists crushing forces and spools better. Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company notes that you will have a strand lay and a wire lay, and regular lay is the opposite of each.
Lang Layering
The wire layering and the core layering go in the same direction in this type of layering. The advantages to lang layering is that they resist fatigue and abrasion better. This type of layering is not as popular as regular layering.
Alternate Layering
This is similar to the combination strand patterns. Alternate layering uses both lay and lang lay strands together. This is the least popular type of layering and is used only in special instances.
Finish of Wire Rope
The finish of wire rope refers to the coating that is applied on the surface. There are many types of finishes available for wire rope, from zinc coated (galvanized) to stainless steel or unfinished steel. Finishes serve to protect the wire rope from the elements, lend aesthetic value, and is often a personal preference for colors.
Wire Rope Cores
Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company notes that we learned in our last blog post that a wire rope core is a critical component of wire ropes. There are three main types of wire rope cores you should know about when trying to choose which type of wire rope will work for you.
- Fiber Core (FC). This type of wire rope core is made mainly out of synthetic fibers. This lends a greater flexibility to your wire rope, but you sacrifice strength for this flexibility.
- Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC). This is a core made up of wire rope and wire strands.
- Wire Strand Core (WSC). This is a singular wire strand.
HOW KENNEDY WIRE ROPE & SLING COMPANY CAN HELP
Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company understands how critical wire rope can be to your business’ operations, from cranes, deep drilling, mining, construction, and more. You need wire rope that is reliable, strong, and safe. Our wire rope is perfect for all of your lifting needs. We also offer wire rope lubricant to keep your wire rope running smoothly all day long.
As a business, you understand the importance of employee safety. Thus, we also offer safety seminars and other courses designed to teach you not only how to operate our rigging equipment efficiently, but also how to be safe around it. Our customer service is unparalleled. You can call our offices any time, or we can come out to your location and help. Our on-site service technicians can help you with delivery, installation, inspection, and repair of all our rigging and lifting equipment. Our mission is to make your life easier through our products and services, which we stand by. We also offer proof testing and inspection and repair services in order to keep your rigging and lifting equipment in tip-top shape.
Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company also puts a heavy emphasis on employee safety, which is why we offer a plethora of fall prevention equipment. From synthetic slings and fall protection harnesses, we’ve got all of your safety systems covered. Contact us today for your wire rope needs and services!