Material handling must be an important consideration, regardless of industry. Any instance where materials need to be moved from one location to another, whether to manufacture, sell, or utilize products requires the proper equipment. Because the mishandling of materials is the largest cause of accidents and injuries in the workplace, we recommend using mechanical means whenever possible. With the proper equipment, most accidents can be avoided.
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Some of the most common types of material handling equipment include cranes, derricks, hoists, powered industrial trucks, and conveyors. When using cranes, derricks, and hoists to move material, it is necessary to use slings to hold the suspended loads. This makes slings some of the most commonly used materials handling apparatus available.
There is no one size fits all solution to lifting slings, and slings must be selected based on their intended use. Choosing a proper sling depends on a number of factors, including the size and type of load, as well as the environmental conditions of the workplace.
There are a variety of sling types that we can classify into three main groups as dictated by their inspection procedures: wire rope and mesh, chain, and fiber rope web. In this post, we will focus on the characteristics of wire rope sling which help you determine whether these are ideal for your application.
Wire rope slings, also referred to as wire cable slings, have always been a popular choice for material handling. They are more durable than nylon slings and polyester webbing slings and have higher temperature limits; an important concern in industrial applications.
These slings are made of individual wires that have been twisted to form strands; these strands are then twisted together to for a structurally sound rope. Sometimes wire rope slings have a fiber core to give them more flexibility. This additional flexibility may compromise the sling’s resistance to environmental damage, however.
When choosing the right wire rope lifting sling, you must consider strength, ability to bend without distortion, ability to withstand abrasive wear, and ability to withstand abuse. A durable sling is safest and more cost-effective, as slings that can withstand the demands of industrial lifting will last much longer before needing replacement.
Strength
Strength is determined by size, grade, and construction. A sling must be able to accommodate the maximum applied load. With continued rigorous service, a sling’s strength is reduced. Older slings should be rigorously inspected before use to ensure it is acceptable.
Fatigue
A wire rope must be able to endure repeated bending without experiencing fatigue. Fatigue failure occurs when the wires experience small crack development from repeated applications of bending loads.
Abrasive wear
A wire sling’s ability to withstand abrasion will depend on its size, the number of wires, and construction of the rope. A rope made with smaller wires will have more flexibility but won’t stand up to abrasion quite as well.
Abuse
The misuse or abuse of a wire rope sling will cause it to fail before other factors. To get the most out of your slings, make sure you use them safely and properly, per the manufacturer’s suggestion.
Replace your sling if you notice any of the following factors:
If you find it is time to replace your slings, or are looking to add more to your inventory, we carry Lift-All® eye-to-eye Permaloc slings in various lengths with the following dimensions:
With competitive price and timely delivery, Zhengyang Steel Rope sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Lift-All® is a leader in North American sling manufacture, and we trust their products when it comes to venue rigging and staging. These steel slings have good abrasion resistance so you won’t have to replace them as often. You can find an overview of which Lift-All® products we carry here.
Wire rope slings should always be inspected upon arrival and before each day or shift in normal service conditions. You can find more tips for inspecting your rigging hardware, including wire rope, here.
You can find our entire line of industrial Lift-All products at SHOPMTN.com
This blog post is part of a new feature on AWRF where our members provide valuable insight into the industry. If you would like to be considered as a guest blogger please contact us . Reference Social AWRF Blog in the Subject Line.
Mishandling of workplace materials is the single largest cause of accidents in the workplace. Fortunately, most of these accidents are avoidable. With wire rope slings playing an important role with cranes, derricks, and hoists, it’s important to understand how to make a proper selection.
A wire rope sling is made of wire rope. It is composed of single wires that have been twisted into strands. These strands are then twisted to form a wire rope.
Here are 4 important characteristics to keep in mind when selecting a wire rope sling
1. Strength
The strength of a wire rope sling is a function of size, grade, and construction. It needs to accommodate the applied maximum load. The more a sling is used, both the design and the sling’s strength are reduced. A sling loaded beyond it strength will fail. For older slings it’s important to inspect often.
2. Fatigue
Wire rope slings must be able to take repeated bending without wires failing due to fatigue, sometimes called bending without failure. The best way to preventing fatigue failure is to use blocking or padding to increase the radius of bend.
3. Abrasive Wear
The ability of wire rope to withstand abrasion. It’s determined by size, number of wires, and construction of the rope. Remember that smaller wires bend easier and offer greater flexibility, which also means they are more susceptible to abrasion.
4. Abuse
The misuse of a wire rope will cause the sling to be unsafe well before any other reason. Kinking or bird caging will reduce the strength of a wire rope. Bird caging is forcibly untwisting the wire rope strands and they become spread outward. Be sure to keep up proper use per the manufacturer specifications.
These are just four factors to consider when determining the best wire rope slings for your application. Keep in mind that weight, size, flexibility, and shape of the loads being handled will also affect the life of a wire rope sling.
Courtesy of NIS Chain. For the original blog post visit http://www.nischain.com/blog/wire-rope-slings/4-things-to-consider-in-selecting-wire-rope-slings/
Contact us to discuss your requirements of steel wire rope slings. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.