Backdrop & Context
The crane industry has been facing escalating challenges inrecent years, with construction and infrastructure projects demanding increasinglyheavier lifts at greater heights while maintaining stringent safety standards.Traditional steel ropes have struggled to meet these intensifying requirements,often experiencing premature wear, reduced operational lifespan, andcompromised performance under extreme loads. The economic implications of ropefailure or frequent replacements are substantial, with downtime costs for largecranes potentially reaching thousands of dollars per hour. Additionally, globalsupply chain disruptions have emphasized the need for more durable componentsthat require less frequent replacement.
Against this backdrop, innovation in crane rope technologyhas become critical to supporting the advancement of modern constructioncapabilities. The development of specialized ropes that can withstandmulti-layer spooling, maintain structural integrity under compression, anddeliver consistent performance in variable conditions represents a significantengineering challenge that directly impacts operational efficiency and safetyacross the construction sector.
Who's Involved?
WireCo CASAR, a division of WireCo WorldGroup, stands asone of the global leaders in specialized steel rope manufacturing with decadesof expertise in developing high-performance solutions for demanding industrialapplications. The company has built its reputation on continuous innovation andtechnical excellence in the specialized wire rope sector.
Dr. David Rowatt, who serves as Senior Vice President ofGlobal Steel Engineering at WireCo, played a pivotal role in the developmentand introduction of Boomfit. With his background as both a PhD and ProfessionalEngineer, Dr. Rowatt brings substantial technical expertise to the productdevelopment process. Commenting on the launch, he stated: "With Boomfit,we are delivering a robust and cost-effective solution that meets the highexpectations of crane operators worldwide. Its advanced design and superiorperformance make it the perfect fit for heavy-duty lifting operations."
Technical Innovations
At the core of Boomfit's performance advantages liesCASAR's proprietary Plast rope technology, which features a plastic-coatedsteel core that fundamentally transforms the rope's behavior under load. Thistechnological approach creates a barrier between the inner and outer strands,significantly reducing internal friction and wear that typically occurs duringbending operations and multi-layer spooling. The plastic coating also providesenhanced corrosion protection for the core wires, extending the operationallifespan of the rope in challenging environmental conditions.
The engineering team at WireCo has optimized Boomfit'sstrand configuration to achieve an ideal balance between flexibility andcompressive strength. This careful calibration allows the rope to maintain itsstructural integrity when subjected to the crushing forces experienced duringmulti-layer spooling on crane drums. Traditional ropes often suffer fromaccelerated wear and deformation under these conditions, leading to reducedservice life and potential safety concerns.
Another significant innovation in Boomfit's design is itsspecialized surface treatment that enhances spooling behavior. This treatmentmodifies the friction characteristics between adjacent wraps on the drum,preventing the "cutting in" phenomenon that can occur when a ropeunder tension digs into lower layers. This improvement not only extends ropelife but also maintains more consistent lifting performance throughoutoperations.
Performance Advantages
Boomfit's engineering delivers several distinct performanceadvantages that address longstanding challenges in crane operations. Itsexceptional compressive strength for multi-layer spooling represents asignificant advancement for high-capacity cranes that must manage substantialrope lengths on limited drum space. This capability is particularly valuablefor telescopic cranes where space constraints often necessitate multiple ropelayers, creating stress points that conventional ropes struggle to withstand.
The rope's excellent spooling behavior translates to morepredictable and controlled lifting operations, reducing the risk of suddenmovements or jerking that can compromise load stability. Crane operators havereported smoother operation during testing, with more consistent performancethroughout the lifting cycle. This characteristic is especially important forprecision lifting tasks in confined spaces or when positioning sensitiveequipment.
Perhaps most significantly, Boomfit offers exceptionaldurability that directly impacts the total cost of ownership for craneoperations. Field testing has demonstrated wear resistance significantly aboveindustry standards, with some operators reporting up to 30% longer service lifecompared to conventional adjustment ropes. This extended operational lifespanreduces replacement frequency, minimizes downtime, and lowers overallmaintenance costs.
Key Takeaways:
• WireCo CASAR has launched Boomfit, a specialized steelrope designed specifically for adjustment applications in telescopic, crawler,and tower cranes
• The rope features CASAR's proprietary Plast technologywith a plastic-coated steel core that reduces internal friction and providesenhanced corrosion protection
• Boomfit offers superior compressive strength formulti-layer spooling, excellent spooling behavior, and exceptional durabilitycompared to conventional crane ropes
• Dr. David Rowatt, SVP Global Steel Engineering at WireCo,highlighted the product's robust design and cost-effectiveness for heavy-dutylifting operations
• The product generated significant interest at BaumaMunich alongside WireCo's Lazerlift product, particularly for mobile and towercrane applications
• Boomfit is now available through CASAR's globaldistribution network, with a phased rollout prioritizing regions with highconcentrations of crane operations
