When CASAR launched the first hammered ropes into the market in 2003, after intensive in-house testing, no one could have imagined what significance this development would have for the rope-making industry. It was at this time that crane manufactures‘ specification requirements for ropes to be used in the erection and boom systems of large mobile cranes increased enormously. Ropes with a decidedly higher load capacity and robustness were necessary. Casar was able to meet these requirements with the implementation of an innovative compression process by which the surface of the rope was finished using a special technique and purpose-built tools. The increase in breaking strength, the outstanding crush resistance, and the significantly reduced loss of diameter under load that were thus achieved, fulfills the demands placed upon high performance ropes made for this purpose. The extremely smooth surface created by hammering, minimizes snagging and optimizes stress distribution. Resistance to transverse pressure in the cross-over areas is thus lastingly improved, and for this reason, the “Fit ropes” from CASAR are especially well suited for multiple layer spooling.

A good example for the use of CASAR Parafit is the winch on a crawler cran e. Extreme loads are brought to bear on the hoisting drum when erecting the booms during the buildingup process, and these must be kept under control. It is the lower layers of the rope on the drum in particular that are put under the burden of high radial forces by the enormous tensile stress arising within the rope. These forces can be so great that the rope is destroyed by the high compression and must be discarded. In the past, the 8 or 10-strand compacted ropes utilised could reduce the level of deterioration, but not prevent it completely, especially in large-scale equipment. CASAR Parafit achieves optimal load distribution by using the parallel lay process, whereby the wires and strands in the interior have linear contact surfaces, which thus help to avoid damage to the rope interior. Furthermore, a higher fill factor results from this spooling method and, as a result, a very much increased breaking strength. A plastic layered core stabilises the rope structure and also helps to prevent inner wire breakage. Lubricant is enclosed within the core and keeps water and abrasive elements away from the rope interior. The success of CASAR Parafit speaks for itself. Nowadays, practically all major crane manufacturers who set store upon the highest levels of performance and quality, utilise this specialist rope. On-going development and improvements in rope construction and the production process lead to improvements in the load capacity and durability of the ropes, in order to meet the growing specification requirements of mobile crane manufacturers.

It is not only in the mobile crane sector that high-performance rope is of such significance. The advantages of parallel spooling, hammered construction and a plastic layered core also have a contribution to make in specialised applications such as, for example, the cable plough (see picture below). CASAR Parafit only really demonstrates its true performance capabilities where high dynamic stresses are brought to bear, so-called “shock loads”, and where the diagonal pull that would normally bring any rope to its knees. For more than 10 years, FIT ropes from CASAR have set the standard where the very highest level of quality and capability for high-performance ropes in specialised applications is required.