Wire rope is composed of multiple solid, metal wires twisted into a helix that forms a composite rope, in a pattern known as laid rope. Larger diameter wire rope consists of multiple strands of such laid rope that form structures in a pattern known as cable laid. Manufactured using an industrial machine known as a strander, the wires are fed through a series of barrels and spun into their final composite orientation.
Originally, wire ropes were developed starting with mining hoist applications in the 1830s. And historically, the denotative use of wire rope refers to a diameter larger than 9.5mm, with smaller diameters being designated as cable or cords. Additionally, only aircraft cables had a wire strand core and they were available in smaller diameters than wire rope with diameters down to much less than 1.0 mm.
Structural wire rope works in both static and dynamic applications.
- Static wires
- support structures such as suspension bridges or as guy wires to support towers. An aerial tramway relies on wire rope to support and move cargo overhead.
- Dynamic wires can work both in tension or in compression.
- In tension, wire ropes are used dynamically for lifting and hoisting in cranes and elevators, and for transmission of mechanical power.
- In compression, wire rope can also be used to transmit force in mechanisms, such as a Bowden cable to the control surfaces of an airplane connected to levers and pedals in the cockpit.
Today however, wire rope covers the entire gamut of sizes of wire rope, made in any structure, with any core, and with either galvanised or stainless steel being the main material used for wire ropes.