wire rope association in stock

Our Association was formed in 1975 and incorporated the following year by a group of concerned businessmen who felt there was a need for sling fabricators and special rigging components manufacturers to join together to form a trade association.

Wire rope manufacturers produce their products in order to provide a high load capacity, versatile alternative to weaker ropes like manila rope or hemp rope. Wire rope products are used for a wide variety of motion transmission applications, among them: lifting, baling, tie down, hoisting, hauling, towing, mooring, anchoring, rigging, cargo control, guidance and counterbalance. They can also be used as railing, fencing and guardrailing.

Wire rope is a must-have for many heavy duty industrial applications. From mining to forestry to marine and beyond, there’s wire rope for almost every job. Some of the many industries in which wire rope is popular include: construction, agriculture, marine, industrial manufacturing, fitness, sports and recreation (plastic coated cables for outdoor playground equipment and sports equipment), electronics, theater (black powder coated cables for stage rigging), mining, gas and oil, transportation, security, healthcare and consumer goods.

Wire rope as we know it was invented just under 200 years ago, between 1831 and 1834. At that time, the goal was to create a rope strong enough to support work in the mines of the Harz Mountains. Invented by Wilhelm Albert, a German mining engineer, this wire rope consisted on four three-stranded wires. It was much stronger than older rope varieties, such as manila rope, hemp rope and metal chain rope.

While studying at Freiburg School of Mines, a man named L.D.B. Gordon visited the mines in the Harz Mountains, where he met Albert. After he left, Gordon wrote to his friend Robert Stirling Newall, urging him to create a machine for manufacturing wire ropes. Newall, of Dundee, Scotland, did just that, designing a wire rope machine that made wire ropes with four strands, consisting of four wires each. After Gordon returned to Dundee, he and Newall, along with Charles Liddell, formed R.S. Newall and Company. In 1840, Newall received a patent for “certain improvements in wire rope and the machinery for making such rope.”

In 1841, an American manufacturer named John A. Roebling began producing wire rope for suspension bridges. Soon after, another set of Americans, Josiah White and Erskine Hazard, started incorporating wire rope into coal mining and railroad projects, forming Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company (LC&N Co.). In 1848, wire rope from their wire rope factory in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania provided the lift cables needed to complete the Ashley Planes Project. This project sought to improve the performance and appearance of the freight railroad that ran through Ashley, Pennsylvania, by adding lift cables. This increased tourism and increased the railroad’s coal capacity. Before, cars took almost four hours to return; after, they took less than 20 minutes.

Wire rope likewise changed the landscape (again) in Germany, in 1874, when an engineering firm called Adolf Bleichert & Co. used wire rope to build Bi-cable aerial tramways. These allowed them to mine the Ruhr Valley. Several years later, they also used wire rope to build tramways for the German Imperial Army and the Wehrmacht. These tramways were wildly successful, opening up roads in Germany and all over Europe and the USA.

Since the 1800s, manufacturers and engineers have found ways to improve wire rope, through stronger materials and material treatments, such as galvanization, and different rope configurations. Today, wire rope makes possible many heavy industrial processes. It has become a necessity of the modern world.

Strands are made by tightly twisting or braiding individual wire together. One strand could have anywhere between two and several dozen wire filaments depending on the necessary strength, flexibility, and weight capacity.

One of the most dynamic elements of wire cables is the inner core. The strands are wrapped around the core, and it can be made of different metals, fibers, or even impregnated fiber materials. For heavy applications, cores are often made of a different strand of wire called an independent wire rope core (IWRC). An IWRC has a considerable amount of flexibility and it is still very strong. In fact, at least 7.5% of the strength increase in a wire rope can be attributed to an IWRC.

While they sometimes use other metals, like aluminum, nickel, copper, titanium, and even bronze for some applications, manufacturers primarily produce wire rope from steel. This is because steel is very strong and stretchable. Among the most common types they use are: galvanized wire, bright wire, stainless steel and cold drawn steel.

Of the wire rope steels, cold drawn carbon steel wire is most popular, although stainless steel wire rope is sometimes employed as well. Stainless steel rope is most popular for its anti-corrosive properties. Bright wire rope, a type of ungalvanized steel wire rope, is also popular. For added strength and durability, galvanized steel wire rope/galvanized steel cables are a very popular choice. Galvanized aircraft cable, for example, is always a must in aerospace.

When choosing or designing a custom wire rope for your application, suppliers consider factors such as: the environment in which the rope will function, required rust resistance, required flexibility, temperature resistance, required breaking strength and wire rope diameter. To accommodate your needs, manufacturers can do special things like: make your rope rotation resistant, color code your rope, or add a corrosion resistant coating. For instance, sometimes they specially treat and coat a cable with plastic or some other compound for added protection. This is particularly important to prevent fraying if the wire rope is often in motion on a pulley.

Manufacturers and distributors identify the differences in wire cable by listing the number of strands and the amount of wires per strand so that anyone that orders understand the strength of the cable. Sometimes they are also categorized by their length or pitch. Common examples of this include: 6 x 19, 6 x 25, 19 x 7, 7 x 19, 7 x 7, 6 x 26 and 6 x 36.

More complex wire rope identification codes connote information like core type, weight limit and more. Any additional hardware like connectors, fasteners, pulleys and fittings are usually listed in the same area to show varying strengths and degrees of fray prevention.

Cable wire rope is a heavy-duty wire rope. To give it its high strength, manufacturers construct it using several individual filaments that are twisted in strands and helically wrapped around the core. A very common example of cable wire rope is steel cable.

Spiral rope is made up an assemblage of wires with round or curved strands. The assemblage features at least one outer layer cord pointed in the opposite direction of the wire. The big advantage of spiral ropes is the fact that they block moisture, water and pollutants from entering the interior of the rope.

Similarly, stranded rope steel wire is made up of an assemblage of spirally wound strands. Unlike spiral rope, though, its wire patterns have crisscrossing layers. These layers create an exceptionally strong rope. Stranded rope may have one of three core material types: wire rope, wire strand or fiber.

Wire rope chain, like all chains, is made up of a series of links. Because it is not solid, wire rope chain is quite flexible. At the same time, it is prone to mechanical failure.

Wire rope slings are made from improved plow wire steel, a strong steel wire that offers superior return loop slings and better security. The plow wire steel also shields rope at its connection points, which extends its working life. Wire rope slings, in general, provide their applications with increased safety, capacity and performance. Wire rope sling is a rope category that encompasses a wide range of sub-products, such as permaloc rope sling, permaloc bridle slings and endless slings. These and other wire rope slings may be accompanied by a wide variety of sling terminations, such as thimbles, chokers and hooks.

Wire rope offers its user many advantages. First, design of even distribution of weight among strands makes it ideal for lifting extremely heavy loads. Second, wire rope is extremely durable and, when matched properly to the application, can withstand great stress and elements like corrosion and abrasion. In addition, it is very versatile. Its many iterations and the ways in which the rope can treated means that users can get rope custom fit for virtually any application.

Depending on the type of wire rope with which you are working and your application, you may want to invest in different accessories. Among these accessories are: wire rope clips, steel carabiners, fittings, fasteners and connections.

To ensure that your wire rope quality remains high, you must regularly inspect them for wear and degradation. The right wire rope should be selected for a particular use. Watch out for performance-impacting damage like: rust, fraying and kinks. To make sure that they stay in tip-top shape, you should also clean and lubricate them as needed. Check for this need as a part of your regular inspection.

Rope care is about more than inspection. It’s also about making an effort to use and store them properly every time you use them. For example, never exceed your rope’s rated load and breaking strength. Doing so will not only cause the weakening of your cable, but it may even cause immediate breakage. In addition, always store your wire rope cable in a dry and warm area, away from those elements that could cause premature rusting or other damage. Finally, always carefully wind your wire rope when you’re done with it, so as to avoid kinks. If you follow all these tips and treat your wire rope assemblies well, they will reward you with a long and productive service life.

Always make sure that you purchase wire rope that matches your industry and regional standards. Some of the most widely referenced standards organizations for wire rope include: ISO, ASTM International and OSHA. Talk over your specifications and application with your wire rope supplier to figure out what’s best for you.

If you’re in the market for a wire rope or a wire rope assembly, the best way to know you’re getting something that will both perform well and be safe if by working with a vetted professional. Find one among the list we’ve provided on this page. Check out their profiles to get an idea of the services and products they offer. Pick out three or four to whom you’d like to speak, and reach out. Talk to them about your specifications, standard requirements and budget. Ask about lead times and delivery options. Once you’ve spoken with all of them, compare and contrast their answers. You’ll know you’ve found the one when you talk to a wire rope company that is willing to go above and beyond for your satisfaction.

Wire rope is technically defined as multi-wire strands laid geometrically around a core while also used more generally as a term to classify multiple product families including aircraft cable, coated aircraft cable, general purpose wire rope, strand, rotation resistant wire rope, compacted/swaged wire rope, and cable laid wire rope.

Aircraft cable does not fit the definition of wire rope in the strictest sense as it does not have an independent core, but rather a strand core, in which the center is one of the strands that is laid with the outside strand layers. Aircraft cable is available in diameters 3/8" or less with breaking strengths similar to that of equal diameter independent wire rope core (IWRC) and is available in stainless steel and galvanized steel.

Wire rope can be galvanized via three processes. Listed from least corrosion-resistant to the most corrosion-resistant, they are electro-galvanizing, hot-dip galvanizing, and drawn-galvanizing. In addition to being the most corrosion-resistant types of galvanized wire rope, drawn-galvanized has another added benefit which is a breaking strength that is the same as bright wire rope does. Electro-galvanized and hot-dip galvanized wire rope have breaking strengths that are approximately 10% lower.

Wire rope is specified by the number of strands in the rope, the number of wires in each strand, and a description of the core’s material of construction. For example, the notation “6x7 FC” means that the rope has six strands with seven wires in each strand and a fiber core. Commonly used core designations include FC (fiber core), independent wire rope core (IWRC), wire strand core (WSC), and poly core (PC).

There are two elements to wire rope lubrication, the core, and outer strands. IWRC wire rope always has a lubricated core (unless specially ordered as otherwise). Bright wire rope always has lubricated outer strands.  Galvanized wire rope can be manufactured in either dry finish or lubricated with respect to the outer strands.  Typically stainless steel wire rope is manufactured with a lubricated IWRC and dry finish outer strands.

GUIZHOU WIRE ROPE CO., LTD is a China-based company principally engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sales of steel wires and steel ropes. The Company"s major products include steel wires, steel ropes and steel strand wires. The Company"s products are applied in energy, transportation, military, agriculture and forestry, marine, metallurgy, mining, drilling of petroleum and natural gas, mechanical, chemical, aerospace and other industrials. It distributes its products in domestic and overseas markets.

Jiangsu Safety Wire Rope Co., Ltd. is principally engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sales of special wire rope and rigging. The Company"s major products include elevator wire ropes, lifting wire ropes, wire rope rigging and synthetic fiber lifting belt rigging. Its products are widely used in industries, including elevator, engineering machinery, port operation, coal mining, marine engineering, shipping, ocean fishing, logistics and warehousing, among others.

AWRF is a leading organization for sling fabricators and special rigging components manufacturers. The association works to promote safety standards for manufacturing, fabrication, and the distribution of lifting, rigging, and load securement devices.

“AWRF has an outstanding history of promoting the common interests of all stakeholders in the rigging industry. The association’s commitment to improving product identification procedures, technical expertise, and rigging safety has resulted in safer working conditions and saved lives. We are very proud to be a part of this exceptional organization,” said Kris Koberg, CEO of DICA. “With the addition of LiftGuard Magnetic Sling Protectors (formerly Linton Rigging Gear Supplies), helping contribute to safe rigging practices is an essential part of our mission to make your setup safe.”

For ease of use and additional safety, LiftGuard Edge Protectors attach magnetically to metallic surfaces and can be used with synthetic, wire rope or chain slings. LiftGuard Sling Protectors reduce liability issues by eliminating the need to use make-shift load or sling protection.

Unirope LTD. is an ISO 9001 and LEEA-Lifting Equipment Engineers Association certified company, specializing in the manufacturing, distribution, testing, certification and inspection service of Lifting- and Rigging Products. Unirope is servicing the industry since 1956.

In Germany we manufacture High Performance PYTHON® Wire Rope which we stock in a wide variety of constructions for Tower Cranes, Mobile and Truck Cranes, Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes in Construction, Automotive and the Steel Industry. We also stock a large variety of standard and custom designed ropes meeting national and international standards.

The SLINGMAX® product line includes TWIN PATH® Slings made from high strength K-SPEC® fibers, super flexible GATOR FLEX® and TRI-FLEX® wire rope slings, and much more. We also provide a complete range of wire rope fittings, rigging hardware, magnets, clamps, hoists, synthetic ropes, and all types of lifting slings.

We are committed to Quality and Safety in all our products and provide Testing Services across Canada on four (4) ASTM E4 certified test beds ranging in capacity from 150,000 lbs to 1.2 million lbs. In addition, our test beds in Montreal and Mississauga are Lloyd’s Register of Shipping approved. We also have two (2) 150,000 lbs mobile testing- and re-certification units to perform these services at your location. Unirope is an authorized service, repair and re-certification service center for many of our business partners.

The sales and service staff at UNIROPE Ltd. are trained and certified Riggers according NCCCO RIG 1 Standard and provide expert advice with almost 300 years of combined experience. Any one of them usually turns a seemingly difficult rigging problem into a routine event. Just give them a call…

BC Wire Rope & Rigging is a full service provider of wire rope, slings, chain, hoists, and rigging equipment. BC Wire Rope has served the heavy lifting needs of customers throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tucson and the Western United States since 1974. Specializing in lifting products ranging from fall protection to synthetic slings, BC Wire Rope & Rigging carries products from the industry’s most reputable vendors including Crosby, Slingmax, Campbell, and Bridon American. With ample testing and manufacturing capabilities, BC Wire Rope is also the manufacturer of KWIK synthetic slings.

BC Wire Rope was onsite as the last steel beam was raised by Schuff Steel at the new, future home of the Los Angeles Rams and LA Chargers at SofFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The raising of the last beam is marked by the raising of a ceremonial Christmas Tree, […]

Established nearly 40 years ago in Southern California, BC Wire Rope now manufacturers and distributes wire rope from 5 locations to strategically serve customers across the West Coast. Headquartered in a 35,000 square foot warehouse and manufacturing facility in Anaheim, BC Wire Rope is the premier provider of rigging throughout the greater Orange County and Los Angeles area and also has branches in Tucson, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Elko. These locations allows BC to stock a full inventory of specialty lifting products and enables BC to efficiently meet a wide range of manufacturing needs.

Full in-house testing and wire rope manufacturing capabilities help ensure that BC Wire Rope can meet or exceed its customers’ needs. BC Wire Rope can press wire rope slings and swaged boom pendants, splice slings and soft rope, and can fabricate special end fittings. BC also manufacturers its own line of synthetic slings through its KWIK Products division. KWIK Products include nylon eye & eye endless flat slings, high performance fiber slings, polyester round slings, and choker and basket hardware slings. BC Wire Rope also provides customers with proof testing through use of its 4 test beds that can test slings, blocks, and hardware with up to 1 million pounds of force.

BC Wire Rope & Rigging’s unrelenting focus on customer service and industry leading products is evidenced by its ‘Quality – No Compromise’ motto. BC Wire Rope has been a proud member of the wire rope industry’s trade association—Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF)—for over 35 years. The commitment to longstanding industry relationships is also demonstrated by the fact the more than half of BC Wire Rope’s employees have remained with the company for over 18 years.

With years of industry knowledge and a full product inventory, chances are that BC Wire can meet your lifting needs. Contact the specialists at BC Wire Rope today to find out more about what BC Wire Rope can do for you.

BC Wire Rope & Rigging is a full service provider of wire rope, slings, chain, hoists, and rigging equipment. BC Wire Rope has served the heavy lifting needs of customers throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tucson and the Western United States since 1974. Specializing in lifting products ranging from fall protection to synthetic slings, BC Wire Rope & Rigging carries products from the industry’s most reputable vendors including Crosby, Slingmax, Campbell, and Bridon American. With ample testing and manufacturing capabilities, BC Wire Rope is also the manufacturer of KWIK synthetic slings.

BC Wire Rope was onsite as the last steel beam was raised by Schuff Steel at the new, future home of the Los Angeles Rams and LA Chargers at SofFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The raising of the last beam is marked by the raising of a ceremonial Christmas Tree, […]

Established nearly 40 years ago in Southern California, BC Wire Rope now manufacturers and distributes wire rope from 5 locations to strategically serve customers across the West Coast. Headquartered in a 35,000 square foot warehouse and manufacturing facility in Anaheim, BC Wire Rope is the premier provider of rigging throughout the greater Orange County and Los Angeles area and also has branches in Tucson, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Elko. These locations allows BC to stock a full inventory of specialty lifting products and enables BC to efficiently meet a wide range of manufacturing needs.

Full in-house testing and wire rope manufacturing capabilities help ensure that BC Wire Rope can meet or exceed its customers’ needs. BC Wire Rope can press wire rope slings and swaged boom pendants, splice slings and soft rope, and can fabricate special end fittings. BC also manufacturers its own line of synthetic slings through its KWIK Products division. KWIK Products include nylon eye & eye endless flat slings, high performance fiber slings, polyester round slings, and choker and basket hardware slings. BC Wire Rope also provides customers with proof testing through use of its 4 test beds that can test slings, blocks, and hardware with up to 1 million pounds of force.

BC Wire Rope & Rigging’s unrelenting focus on customer service and industry leading products is evidenced by its ‘Quality – No Compromise’ motto. BC Wire Rope has been a proud member of the wire rope industry’s trade association—Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF)—for over 35 years. The commitment to longstanding industry relationships is also demonstrated by the fact the more than half of BC Wire Rope’s employees have remained with the company for over 18 years.

With years of industry knowledge and a full product inventory, chances are that BC Wire can meet your lifting needs. Contact the specialists at BC Wire Rope today to find out more about what BC Wire Rope can do for you.

PersonalWe are on hand to personally guide you through the entire process, we translate the jargon, we recommend what’s best, and we are always here in person. No nonsense, just straight talking people who always exceed expectations through our extensive wire rope knowledge and superior service.

Stainless Steel Wire Ropes are an important part of our core product range. We keep stock of AISI 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel Wire Rope from 0.5mm up to 26mm in various constructions including: 1X19, 7X7, 7X19 and 6X36 wire core.

Providing high quality materials is an extremely important part of our ethos which is why our stainless steel wire ropes are produced in accordance with BSMA29 standards by one of the leading stainless steel wire rope manufacturers in the world.

Our ropes are used in demanding conditions and it is therefore vital that the tolerance and chemical composition of the material is as per the required AISI 316 requirements. Applications and markets include:structural and architectural, balustrade, yacht rigging and Stay Wire applications.