As hardy and dependable as wire rope can be, it's not invincible against wear and failure. The question then should be, what must we be looking for? The busy daily operations of a company can result in overlooking the basics, and that isn't good. Great musicians still practice the scales. Skilled basketball players still practice foul shots. Experienced airline pilots still run through a checklist. And great maintenance people conduct routine visual checks of their wire rope before each project. In this category, attention to detail is an understatement. Wire rope in constant use will eventually deteriorate requiring periodic inspections. In this way maintenance people can determine the level of deterioration present and make a quality decision as to its continued use or whether it should be taken out of service. Well conducted inspections should also uncover any damage or corrosion that may be present. The real culprit is fatigue. Wire rope is in constant application. Repetitive movements can over time result in cracks in the wire. The more bending the more broken wires. Constant pressure on a wire rope in an already weakened state can even snap while on the job. An unthinkable hazard.
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