Round-strand wire rope

Unwinding

When unwinding, place the rope drum on a dedicated stand. Alternatively, thread a steel pipe through the hole in the drum, loop the rope around both ends and lift it, then slowly rotate the drum (see illustration below).

Arrangement of wire ropes on the drum

The direction in which the wire rope is wound onto the drum must correspond to the rope’s lay: right-hand lay ropes should be wound from left to right, and left-hand lay ropes from right to left. The rope must be wound neatly to prevent uneven or twisted winding.

03. Cutting

When cutting a wire rope, mark two points 10–20 mm apart, secure them with wire, ensuring the length of the tie is 1–4 times the rope diameter, and then cut the rope using a cutting tool.

Wire Rope Maintenance Methods

I. Operation

During operation, the wire rope should be moved at a steady speed; it must not be operated beyond its load capacity, and impact loads must be avoided.

II. Maintenance

Wire ropes are coated with sufficient grease during manufacture; however, following operation, the grease gradually diminishes and the rope’s surface accumulates dirt, debris and other contaminants, leading to wear on the rope and sheaves, as well as rusting. Therefore, regular cleaning and lubrication are essential. A simple method involves using a wire brush or other suitable tools to remove dust and other contaminants from the surface of the wire rope, then evenly applying melted grease to the surface. Alternatively, No. 30 or No. 40 machine oil may be sprayed onto the surface of the wire rope, but care must be taken not to spray too much and cause environmental pollution.

III. Inspection Records

Steel wire ropes must be inspected regularly and records kept. In addition to the cleaning and lubrication mentioned above, regular inspections should include checking the degree of wear, broken wires, corrosion, and the wear on vulnerable components such as hooks, lifting eyes and the grooves of each pulley. Any abnormalities discovered must be rectified or replaced promptly.

Recommended main uses for steel wire ropes