Q1. What is a synthetic sling?

1. A sling connects the crane hook to the load and is an import rigging tool. Slings can be made of steel wire rope, chains or synthetic man made fibers like polyester, nylon, K-spec or Kevlar. A synthetic sling is a sling made up of synthetic yarn like nylon, polyester or K-spec.

Q2. How are synthetic slings better than conventional wire ropes and chains?

1. Synthetic slings made of man made high tenacity fibers have many advantages and conventional wire ropes and chains. Some of these are :

• Very light and therefore easy to rig and handle.
• Do not damage sensitive or delicate surfaces, therefore lower industrial wastage.
• Are colour coded for ease of identification, therefore less chances of misuse.
• Improve productivity and employee morale, therefore better labour relationships.
• Do not rust or corrode and therefore do not weaken with age.
• Easy visual inspection, saving frequent inspection and proof load costs.
• Save storage costs as they are flexible and light and therefore easy to store.
• Grips load tightly along the contours of the load.
• Eliminates need for consumables like grease and hand gloves, therefore lower recurring costs.
• Lower injuries to employees and riggers, therefore lower compensation claims.
• Reduces machine downtime, in industries where dies or work rolls will have to be changed using slings.

Q3. What are the disadvantages of using synthetic slings?

  A. The disadvantages if used improperly are :

• Can be easily cut or damaged if used unprotected over sharp edges.
• Can not be used in temperatures exceeding 80 degree Celsius.
• Higher initial cost compared to conventional slings but pay back period is very quick.

Q4. Can these disadvantages be overcome?

1. Yes, if the load to be lifted has sharp edge, we recommend the use of Anticutting wear pads.

• If rough/abrasive surface is expected, use anti-abrasive pads.
• If temperature of the load being lifted are likely to exceed 80 C, ask for special
  nomex covering.
• Whilst comparing cost of synthetic slings to steel wire ropes/chains, do a thorough Cost Benefit Analysis. A Cost Benefit Analysis done by many corporates who use the conventional method of lifting suggests that the higher the value of the material being handled, the quicker the pay back period. A complete Cost Benefit Analysis would quantify the savings in terms of :

1. Savings to damage to material being handled (in value).
2. Increase in productivity (due to lower time in rigging and handling the job and/OR lower machine downtime).
3. Reduction in injuries and employee compensation claims.
4. Savings in consumables costs like grease and hand gloves.
5. Savings in storage costs (synthetic slings require much lesser space to store compared to steel wire ropes and chains). Savings in regular testing and inspection costs (steel wire ropes/chains require regular testing and certification is their strength reduces with age).
6. Savings due to lower inventory of slings (typically when a factory switches to synthetic slings it reduces the total number of slings required for different jobs).

Q5. What are TWIN PATH slings?

1. TWIN PATH slings are basically two slings in one. There are TWO INDEPENDENT LOAD CARRYING PATHS offering 100% back up protection in case of misuse or sudden failure due to mishandling. In such a scenario, even if one path is cut, the other path still controls the load, ensuring the highest degree of safety.

Q6. What are the other salient features of TWIN PATH slings?

1. TWIN PATH slings, besides being the only slings in the world to offer 100% back up protection, also have the following unique features :

1. "Tell-Tails" : These unique overload indicators which warn the safety or inspecting officer if the sling has been subjected to overload at any time during the life of the sling.
2. Fiber Optic inspection : This unique feature warns if the fibers have been crushed or used in a chemically harmful environment.
3. Reparability : These are the only slings in the world which are repairable. If the outer cover is damaged or torn, the sling does not have to be discarded or put out of use, simply repair it by returning it to us.
4. Double Cover : A double cover prolongs the life of the sling by protecting the inner core yarns.

Q7. What is the life of a TWIN PATH sling?

1. The life of a TWIN PATH sling is as long as it is not cut or damaged. This can last
   upto even ten years or more if used properly and carefully.

Q8. If the outer cover of the sling is torn, do I take the sling out of service.

1. Yes, however please call us and if after inspection and testing we find that the inner core yarns are not damaged, we will repair the sling at a very nominal cost.

Q9. I am unsure if the sling will lift heavy loads. I am afraid it might cause accidents on my shop floor.

1. Accidents in the shop floor are normally caused by negligence rather than faulty equipment. A TWIN PATH sling is the SAFEST piece of rigging equipment money can buy. This is because it is the only sling in the world to have a 100% back up, redundant protection, which every safety officer wants. Besides as the inspection is visual - "If it looks alright, it is alright".

Q10. Which is the best synthetic fiber, nylon, polyester or K-spec.

1. The K-spec fiber is the "best" fiber in terms of high strength and very low stretch equivalent to steel. However it is also an expensive fiber. But for slings of capacity over 30 Metric Tones safe working load, there is no alternative to K-spec fiber.
   However, for slings of capacity from 1 MT to 30 MT, polyester and nylon are normally used. Polyester is a preferred fiber because it stretches much less than nylon and has much better resistance to chemicals and sunlight.

Q11. What is the difference between a webbing sling and round sling?

1. A webbing sling has two eyes at two ends and has a flat construction. It is a very popular design, but has one major disadvantage. The fibers which provide the strength to lift the load are also the ones which come in contact with the load.
   Therefore, in case of damage to the yarns, the sling has to be taken out of service. A round sling is an endless hank of yarn wound without any break and is a far better designed sling. The inner core yarn (which provides the strength to lift the load) is protected by the outer casing, which comes into contact with the load. Also the (load) bearing points (the points which go on the crane hook) keep changing, whilst on a webbing sling the points are fixed. (at the "eyes" of sling) and open to wear and tear. If these points are not inspected regularly, they could lead to potential "weak spots" in the sling.

Q12. What are the standards SLINGSET^® slings manufactured to ?

1. SLINGSET^® slings are manufactured to OSHA (American Standard) AWSI/ASME B 30.9 and to British Standard BSEN 1492 - 2 - 2000 (Round Sling) BSEN 1492 - 1 - 2000 (Webbing Sling).

Q13. How do I inspect these slings?

1. Inspection of SLINGSET^® slings is easy and only visual. Follow the simple steps.

1. Lay down the sling in a well lit area, on a flat surface (table or ground).
2. Inspect the entire body along the length of sling. Observe for cuts, abrasions and damage to the outer cover if any. In case any observed, inspect of the core yarn inside has been cut or damaged, remove the sling from service to have it inspected by an authorised SLINGSET^® representative.
3. If your sling has a Fibre optic cable inspection system installed, then test if the fibre optic works. If not there has been some unseen damage to core yarn (either chemical damage or crushing). Remove sling from service to be inspected by an authorised SLINGSET^® representative.
4. Check "overload tell tails" length. If they appear to have shortened from the last inspection, then the sling may have been subjected to overload. In case they have disappeared the sing has been seriously overloaded and requires inspection by an authorised SLINGSET^® representative.
5. Proof load test the slings once in six months (or more frequently as per your safety norms). Though this is not strictly required as SLINGSET^® slings don’t age or rust, some safety inspectors require it.
6. IMPORTANT : Keep regular written records of all such inspections to ensure that these are available to safety optics when required. A format of the suggested inspection is given below :-

These cards are provided free of cost with all SLINGSET^® Slings. 

 

7. Particular emphasis /remarks to be mentioned :

• Damage/Abrasion/wear and tear observed along length and in webbing or eye and eye slings in the INSIDE portion of the eyes.
• Stitching loosened in webbing or twin path slings.
• Condition of tell tails and fibre optic cable.
• If core yarn is visible remove sling from service and return to SLINGSET^®.

Q14. What is the safety factor - SLINGSET^® slings are manufactured to?

   A.  The safe working load specified on SLINGSET^® slings is one seventh the minimum     break strength. This means that a sling rated as 1 M.T., SWL, will break at a minimum strength of 7 M.T. Therefore the safety factor is 7:1 

Q15 Will repairing a SLINGSET^® sling reduce it’s capacity?

   A.  It depends. If the core yarn has been damaged, then it is possible that, we may
have to derrate the capacity of the sling or remove it from service altogether. If the
damage is only to the outer cover then the capacity may not be affected. However this can only be ascertained after inspection and proof load testing.

Q16 Can webbing slings be repaired if damaged?

   A.  No, Webbing slings have to be taken out of service if damaged or cut.

Q17. Can a Twin-Path^® be used in a fitting or trunion which is less than the slings   width?

  A.  Yes, A Twin-Path^® Sling can fit spaces half of their catalog width with no reduction in capacity.
More info...

Q18. What is the difference between the Tell-Tails and the Fiber Optic inspection
systems?

  A.  The Tell-Tails are overload indicators and will retract and eventually disappear if
the sling is overloaded. The Fiber Optic determines if the interior core of the sling has suffered chemical, heat or crushing damage. If light does not pass from one end to the other, remove the sling from service and send to the manufacturer for repair evaluation.

Q19. What do I do if both Tell-Tails are not visible?

  A.  Tell-Tails should extend past the tag area of each sling.  If both Tell-Tails are not visible, remove the sling from service.  Send the sling to the manufacturer for repair evaluation.

Q20. What pin diameter or hardware diameter is ok with a Twin-Path^® Sling?

  A.  Slings used with fittings shall be compatible with the fittings used. The lifting capacity shall be rated at the lower of the sling or fitting. Fitting openings shall be of the proper shape and size to assure that the sling will seat properly. More info... (pdf format, see note below)

Q21. What happens if oil or gasoline gets on my Twin-Path^® Sling?

  A.  Hydrocarbons and oils do not affect the performance of any Twin-Path^® sling.

Q22. Is there a way to shorten a synthetic sling's length?

  A.  G-Link Connectors can be used to shorten the length or reach of a synthetic sling. More info...

Q23. What about stretch? I've seen loads bounce with synthetic slings.

  A.  At rated capacity, nylon slings will stretch up to 15%. Round slings made with polyester will stretch 3%. Braided Polyester slings will stretch 9%. Twin-Path^® Extra Slings w/ K-Spec® core yarn stretch less than 1% at rated capacity. More info... (pdf format, see note below)

Q24. If a synthetic round sling has one interior core yarn which has been damaged or cut, can it still be used if the sling’s capacity is de-rated?

  A.  NO! Round slings that suffer damage to the load bearing cores must be removed from service. These slings shall be destroyed to prevent inadvertent use.

Q25. Are all Twin-Path^® Extra Slings proof tested before reaching the customer?

  A.  Yes. As part of our manufacturing process, each Twin-Path^® Extra Sling is proof tested to two times its vertical rated capacity. Every repaired Twin-Path^® Extra Sling is also proof tested before it is returned to the customer.

Q26. How do I know if a load edge is "sharp" enough to require a CornerMax Pad?

  A.  The word "sharp" is considered subjective and is no longer used in our catalog or website. Any material can be cut when exposed to enough pressure and a sharp edge. Diamonds, the hardest substance known, can be split into smaller parts by skilled cutters. CornerMax Pads must be utilized to protect the sling from all edges and corners . For an example, press your hand against the edge of a table. If you run your hand back and forth with some pressure applied, you'll realize that the edge doesn't need to be "sharp" to cut. More info... (pdf format, see note below)

Q27. Can I use a Synthetic Armor Pad for cut protection?

  A.  No. The technology that developed the CornerMax pad is for cut protection. Synthetic Armor pads are intended for abrasion protection or to increase the diameter of a bearing surface. More info...

Q28. What is the difference between abrasion protection and cut protection?

  A.  Abrasion protection is needed when the sling is wrapped around a load which is rough, dirty or gritty. Cut protection is needed when there is an edge or corner that the sling will come in contact with. More info... (pdf format, see note below)

Q29. Why use a multipart wire rope sling instead of a single-strand wire rope sling?

  A.  Single strand sling is less flexible than a multipart wire rope sling. Also, a multipart wire rope sling provides a better D/d ratio.

Q30. Why are the D/d ratios different for the body and the eye of Gator-Max, Gator-Laid, Gator-Flex and T&D Ultra-Flex Slings?

  A.  There are 12 parts of wire rope in the loops and 9 in the body.

Q31. What kind of wire rope will my Gator-Max, Gator-Laid, Gator-Flex and T&D Ultra-Flex slings be made of?

  A.  Up to 1-1/8", 6x25 IWRC. Over 1-1/8", 6x37 IWRC is used. T&D Ultra's are made from 7x19 GAC.

Q32. What is the difference between a Gator-Max and a Gator-Laid sling?

  A.  Gator-Max is hand spliced, Gator-Laid is made using swaged sleeves.