Rope - machine interaction on machine hoists using rope coiling grooves to the LeBus® pattern

This paper investigates various errors that can be encountered in practice due to rope and coiling groove dimensional variations caused by design, manufacture, installation and in service conditions. The authors mainly cover the effects of these errors on rope coiling and the damage that can be caused to the rope. The groove dimensions, groove pitching and end filler positions and sizes are investigated against varying rope diameters from manufacture and in service changes. For the purpose of discussion and investigation the design is based on the South African code of practice SANS 10294 [1] as is applicable to the performance, operation, testing and maintenance of drum winders relating to rope safety. Although some mining houses have their own internal codes of practice, our aim is not to compare the different codes against each other but to use the former as a guide on coiling sleeve design combined with results of rope diameter measurements obtained from eight hoists in the field. The actual measured rope sizes were taken from deep mining double drum and BMR hoists operating with South African manufactured ropes.

Author(s): S. Martin and N.L. Hein