Wire rope is a key part of numerous applications for construction, aerospace, and the marine industry. However, you severely reduce cable service life by causing damage to your wire products and could jeopardize your whole operation or cause injury. Two of the most common types of wire rope damage are kinking and bird caging. Continue reading to learn about these damage types and how to prevent them from occurring in your applications.

Kinking:

A kink appears is the place where a wire rope where the rope has been bent past what it can take. It is caused by applying a bending force beyond a wire rope's tolerable level of flexibility. The problem most commonly occurs when the wires in the wire rope are all closed in the same direction. Kinking is often caused by the improper handling and uncoiling of wire rope products. If kinking occurs, your wire rope product can be severely damaged, and failure becomes inevitable.

How to Prevent Kinking:

While kinking can be a serious problem, it can be easily avoided. One way to prevent kinking is by using lifting hooks with swivels. A swivel helps prevent kinking as it takes the pressure off wire rope. Kinking can also be prevented by using correct uncoiling techniques. By properly handling your wire rope products, you will avoid kinking and have a wire rope product that lasts for many years! If your current wire rope is kinked, it is best to replace the item as soon as possible.

Bird Caging:

Bird caging happens when a wire rope experiences stress and then frays or pulls apart, resembling the appearance of a birdcage. The problem most commonly occurs where the wires in the wire rope are closed in different directions. Bird caging is often caused by improper installation or having too much slack in the wire ropes. Bird caging can also result from a sudden release of tension or forced through a light sheave.

How to Prevent Bird Caging:

One way to prevent bird caging is to use the right size and strength of sheaves and pulleys with your wire rope. By proper installation and preparation of your wire rope application, you can also reduce the possibility of bird caging. A third way to prevent bird caging is to make sure there is torsional balance in your wire rope. If your current wire rope has occurred any form of bird caging, you should replace the item.

Now that you understand how to prevent kinking and bird caging, you can expect to get the highest level of performance from your wire rope products. If you are searching for a replacement wire rope, choose Loos and Company! Our products are domestically manufactured to the highest of standards and offer extreme strength and durability. You can find out more about our wire products here. Alternatively, if you have any questions, our team is happy to help! Reach out to us by email at sales@loosco.com or by phone at (860) 928-7981.