Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 189 views

    Block Rotation and Rope Stability PDF

    Uploaded by

    Anshul Asthana
    Block rotation occurs when the parts of multi-part rope twist together at a certain height during lifting operations, potentially entangling the rope and preventing safe lifting or lowering of loads. There are several practices that can help reduce block rotation, including using larger diameter sheaves to increase rope spacing, reeving the outer sheaves, keeping the fall length as short as possible, avoiding odd-part reeving, and using tag lines or specialty ropes that provide more rotation resistance. Wire rope manufacturers provide guidance on rope selection and rigging geometry to minimize block rotation based on testing of different rope types and configurations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Block Rotation and Rope Stability PDF

    Uploaded by

    Anshul Asthana
    189 views3 pages
    Block rotation occurs when the parts of multi-part rope twist together at a certain height during lifting operations, potentially entangling the rope and preventing safe lifting or lowering of loads. There are several practices that can help reduce block rotation, including using larger diameter sheaves to increase rope spacing, reeving the outer sheaves, keeping the fall length as short as possible, avoiding odd-part reeving, and using tag lines or specialty ropes that provide more rotation resistance. Wire rope manufacturers provide guidance on rope selection and rigging geometry to minimize block rotation based on testing of different rope types and configurations.

    Original Title

    block-rotation-and-rope-stability.pdf

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Block rotation occurs when the parts of multi-part rope twist together at a certain height during lifting operations, potentially entangling the rope and preventing safe lifting or lowering of loads. There are several practices that can help reduce block rotation, including using larger diameter sheaves to increase rope spacing, reeving the outer sheaves, keeping the fall length as short as possible, avoiding odd-part reeving, and using tag lines or specialty ropes that provide more rotation resistance. Wire rope manufacturers provide guidance on rope selection and rigging geometry to minimize block rotation based on testing of different rope types and configurations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    189 views3 pages

    Block Rotation and Rope Stability PDF

    Uploaded by

    Anshul Asthana
    Block rotation occurs when the parts of multi-part rope twist together at a certain height during lifting operations, potentially entangling the rope and preventing safe lifting or lowering of loads. There are several practices that can help reduce block rotation, including using larger diameter sheaves to increase rope spacing, reeving the outer sheaves, keeping the fall length as short as possible, avoiding odd-part reeving, and using tag lines or specialty ropes that provide more rotation resistance. Wire rope manufacturers provide guidance on rope selection and rigging geometry to minimize block rotation based on testing of different rope types and configurations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 3

    Block rotation:

    Block rotation aand rope


    very stabilityproblem.
    entangling

    BLOCK ROTATION
    Also called cabling, block rotation occurs when HOW TO HELP REDUCE BLOCK ROTATION.
    multi-part reeving twists together at a certain height, There are at least seven different operating practices
    entangling the parts of rope between the traveling you can use to minimize block rotation on your crane.
    block and boomtip. It can happen with little warning,
    making it virtually impossible to lift or lower a CHANGE THE RIGGING GEOMETRY.
    suspended load. Twisted hoist lines can bring a This includes the following operating practices:
    project to a sudden halt, resulting in downtime.
    – Use larger diameter traveling block sheaves to
    But the good news is this. You can minimize block increase the rope spacing. As the diameter of the
    rotation through proper installation and handling, as traveling block sheave increases, the chances for
    well as take corrective measures. block rotation are reduced.

    TWIST-FREE INSTALLATION. – Use the outer (farthest apart) sheaves – traveling


    Normal spooling and handling block and boom.
    can induce twist in a rope. If twist
    becomes trapped in the rope it can – Dead-end the rope at the boomtip to increase the
    cause spooling problems or a kink spread between the wire rope parts.
    resulting in permanent damage
    and/or operational problems with USE THE SHORTEST FALL LENGTH POSSIBLE.
    spooling or block rotation. The length of fall, or the distance from the pick point
    to the point sheaves, is critical. Longer fall lengths
    Two factors are key to proper are less stable and more likely to lead to block
    installation no matter what type of rotation.
    equipment, or which wire rope is
    being used: making sure the rope is AVOID ODD-PART REEVING.
    free of twist and assuring that the An even number of parts is more stable.
    rope is tightly spooled on the drum.
    USE TAGLINES ON LIFTS.
    THE KEY IS UNDERSTANDING TORQUE. Attach a tagline to restrain the load block and keep
    Every wire rope – regardless of type, the load from rotating.
    classification, grade or manufacturer – will develop
    torque when loaded. USE A DIFFERENT ROPE CONSTRUCTION.
    Standard 6-strand ropes do not provide any rotation
    Torque is normal and natural, caused by the way resistance. There are different levels of rotation
    wire ropes are made. Wires are first laid together in resistance that can be obtained from specialty ropes.
    a spiral to form strands, then several strands are laid For maximum block stability use Starlift Xtra or
    together in a spiral to form the rope. When loaded, XLT4. Both XLT4 and Starlift Xtra ropes are also used
    wires and strands try to straighten out, thus creating in single part hoisting.
    torque.
    There are other specialty ropes that provide some
    Another source of torque is any change in the rope rotation resistance. Our Flex-X 19 and 19 x 7 ropes
    lay length. This is normally caused by “milking” or are Category 2 rotation-resistant ropes. Flex-X
    rotation at the end of the rope. 19 is very resistant to crushing in multiple layer
    spooling and is frequently used in multi-part hoisting
    Torque in a rope affects the tendency of the traveling applications.
    block to rotate. Thus, it’s important to minimize any
    torque.

    www.unionrope.com
    Block rotation and rope stability

    USE A SWIVEL ONLY WITH CATEGORY 1 ROPES. WIRE ROPES FOR ROTATIONAL STABILITY
    Category 1 ropes and specially designed low-torque Ropes that provide load stability can often provide
    ropes (XLT4), due to their special design, may be the best and most economical service in specific
    used with a swivel. Other wire ropes should not be applications when you choose, handle and use them
    used with a swivel. properly.

    With standard, non-rotation-resistant rope, Category Contra-helically laid, rotation-resistant ropes are
    2 rotation-resistant rope and Category 3 rotation- different from standard, non-rotation-resistant
    resistant rope, a swivel in an end termination will ropes because they’re designed to reduce rope
    allow rotation in a direction that unlays the outer torque. Modes of failure and wear for rotation-
    strands when the rope is loaded. This can cause a resistant ropes can differ from those for standard
    reduction in rope strength, unbalance in the rope rope constructions. The very nature of these ropes
    and spooling problems. requires special handling, selection and usage not
    encountered with standard constructions.
    While the rope rotation only occurs between the
    swivel and the first sheave, the unlaid rope travels These ropes are more susceptible to kinking, crushing
    over the sheave as the load is lifted and introduces and unbalancing in the form of “core pops” and
    unlaying to the section of the rope beyond the “birdcages” if used or handled improperly. Use care to
    sheave. This unlaying becomes trapped and will not avoid operational practices that can possibly lead to
    come out of the rope when the load is removed. these conditions.

    The trapped unlaying causes twist in the rope, There are different types of rotation-resistant ropes,
    which leads to block rotation, erratic spooling, categorized by their resistance to rotation. Category
    unbalancing and decreased rope service. Remove 1 rotation-resistant rope has at least 15 outer strands,
    the swivel from the rope termination and follow has three or more layers of strands (over a center)
    steps to remove twist from the rope to optimize and has little or no tendency to rotate, or, if guided,
    rope service. transmits little or no torque. It can be used with a
    swivel. Because Category 1 rotation resistant ropes
    CHECK SHEAVE ALIGNMENT AND GROOVE SIZE. are manufactured with little or no preforming, it is
    Improper sheave alignment or groove size can critical to not remove the welded ends. If the welded
    “milk” the lay in a rope and cause torque. ends are removed the rope can become unbalanced.
    Category 2 rotation-resistant rope has 10 or more
    outer strands, has two or more layers of strands (over
    a center) and has a significant resistance to rotation.
    Category 3 rotation-resistant rope has no more than
    9 outer strands, has two layers of strands (over a
    center) and has limited resistance to rotation. For best
    performance, Category 2 and 3 rotation-resistant ropes
    should not be used with a swivel.
    Block rotation and rope stability

    Industry testing has been conducted to help you Four independent variables are used in pairs to locate a
    assess the block stability of your rigging configuration reference point on the graph that indicates the stability of the
    and rope selection. The bands on this graph lift being made. The ratios used include:
    approximate the block stability for four types of wire L/S = Length of fall (ft.) ÷ Spacing of the rope (ft.).
    ropes in multi-part systems: L = Length of fall measured from the centerline of the point sheave to
    the centerline of the traveling block sheave as shown in the diagram.
    – 6-strand, right regular lay, IWRC
    S = Average diagonal spacing of the rope at the boom point and the
    – Category 3 (limited resistance) traveling block sheaves as shown in the diagram.
    – Category 2 (significant resistance)
    D/d = (D) Average pitch diameter of point and block sheaves (in.) ÷ (d)
    – Category 1 (little to no rotation)
    nominal rope diameter (in.).

    The band for Category 1


    rotation-resistant ropes is
    based on torque values.
    The bands for 6-strand,
    Category 2 and Category L
    3 rotation-resistant
    ropes were developed
    in field research jointly
    conducted by Wire Rope
    Technical Board and the
    Power Crane and Shovel D
    Association.

    For 2-part reeving, S = average pitch diameter of point and block


    sheave
    For 3-part reeving, S = 2/3 of 2-part
    For 4-part reeving, S = diagonal distance of rope parts
    For 5-part reeving, S = 4/5 of 4-part
    For 6-part reeving, S = diagonal distance of rope parts
    For 7-part reeving, S = 6/7 of six-part system
    Some graphs were developed in field research jointly conducted
    by Wire Rope Technical Board and the Power Crane and Shovel
    Association.
    DIAGNOSING BLOCK ROTATION.
    When the reference point on the graph lies above the
    Loaded Loaded
    appropriate band, block rotation will probably occur. If the
    Block Rotates Block Doesn’t Rotate
    reference point lies below the band, then the lift will probably be
    Unloaded Probably stable without block rotation. If the point lies within the band,
    Twist in Rope
    Block Rotates Geometry block rotation is uncertain.
    Unloaded Unstable
    No Problem!
    Block Doesn’t Rotate Geometry

    Form No. 1181

    ph: +1.816.270.4700 | [email protected] | www.unionrope.com

    You might also like