Wire Rope Inspection

Wire rope inspection is an essential NDT task that looks at the integrity of wire ropes, assesses their condition and highlights any defects. Various methods are used to identify anomalies that affect safety and performance, including wear, corrosion and damage. The results are then used to determine if maintenance and/or replacements are needed.

There are different types of wire rope testing. These include visually inspecting the rope and NDT methods, with the most common being magnetic flux leakage (MFL). This is carried out with a wire rope inspection scanner. Carried out regularly, NDT in combination with visual inspection ensures that wire ropes are fit for use, promotes effective maintenance and repairs, as well as reducing unexpected failures and the associated costs and risks this brings.

A scanner is a device that uses MFL testing to assess a cross-section of a wire rope. It’s moved along the length of the wire, taking measurements as it goes. The results are displayed on a unit, allowing the operator to assess any flaws. The information is also exportable, allowing it to be saved and compared against the results of future testing.

Understanding how to carry out and interpret the results of wire rope inspection differs depending on the industry and asset. There is generally at least a minimum training requirement – something that in-house maintenance personnel may be able to perform under certain situations. Others require the expertise of a certified inspector.

The frequency of wire rope testing is governed by strict industry regulations. Load capacity, usage and environmental conditions also play a part. At a minimum, wire rope inspection should take place once a year – more often, in certain situations.

The Nexxis range of wire rope testing devices is extensive and covers virtually every industry need. We offer wire rope inspection tools to rent, lease or purchase. One of the biggest advantages of renting or leasing is that you’ll never have to worry about any maintenance needs as we ensure that all of our equipment is regularly serviced to keep it in optimal condition.

Absolutely! We’re experts in the field of NDT and can advise on the best kit for your requirements. Our equipment is cutting-edge – we’re usually the first to stock and provide the latest advancements and have a dedicated team that’ll assist in determining the ultimate inspection tools that’re cost-effective, accurate and help drive down maintenance and repair costs.

There are many, including marine, mining, construction, transportation, infrastructure, oil & gas, aerospace, manufacturing and automotive. Examples of assets that use wire ropes include cranes, aerial ropeways, hoists, cable dredgers, safety fences, conveyor systems and more.

There are many advantages, including:

• Carrying out inspections while the ropes are in-situ.
• Proactive maintenance, allowing inspectors to determine the MTBF more accurately, thus avoiding unexpected failure with potentially catastrophic results.
• Accurate, repeatable, localised data capture that can be compared against future wire rope inspections.

You can and it comes as standard with every item of equipment procured from us. Our expert team is available to speak to or is online whenever you need us. We can also advise on complex wire rope inspection tasks and help you determine the right solution, no matter how challenging the situation.