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The role of steel wire ropes as safety components in industrial lifting systems
During the talk held at the Open Day “From Safety to Green: A Common Thread for the Companies of the Future”, we addressed a topic that represents a core pillar of our business: the role of steel wire ropes as safety components in industrial lifting systems.
These components ensure the reliability of industrial installations thanks to:
- A low incidence of defects that could compromise load-bearing capacity;
steel wire ropes, unlike other lifting equipment, are made up of many elements: the individual wires. Even if one or several of these fail due to normal wear during use, the lifting operation is not endangered;
- Progressive deterioration due to operation, which can be monitored over time;
it is extremely unlikely that all wire breaks occur at the same point and at the same time, causing a sudden rope failure, unless there has been serious negligence on the part of the operator.
Generally, defects or anomalies appear first and then develop or spread over time;
- High visibility of defects, allowing for a high probability of detection and an effective assessment of the operational condition.Typically, defects such as broken wires, surface wear, and corrosion manifest—after a period of use—starting from the outer layers of the rope, making them not only visible to inspection personnel but also assessable.
The UNI ISO 4309 standard provides the most realistic discard criteria regarding wire breaks in the outer layers, diameter reductions, and rope corrosion, and offers a method to assess the combined effect of deterioration at any point along the rope.
Another fundamental aspect is the importance of the role of the “competent person” in the inspection of wire ropes and lifting equipment—an expert figure capable of identifying, assessing, and preventing critical issues under various conditions and situations.
A valuable moment of discussion that confirmed how safety and expertise are the foundation of all sustainable innovation.
