Wolffkran presents the new chaRope at Bauma

Wolffkran presents the new chaRope as the only fiber rope that can replace a steel rope 1:1.

In cooperation with the rope specialist Trowis GmbH, Wolffkran has developed a high-performance fi-ber rope that will be showcased on a WOLFF crane at Bauma 2022. Aside from offering all the advantages of synthetic ropes, the new fiber rope has a decisive competitive advantage: Due to its unique fiber composite design, chaRope can be substi-tuted for a steel rope 1:1 - without any modification of the crane. As the only manufacturer to date, Trowis uses a rope cover made of a special fiber composite design for its new fiber rope, which was developed in close collaboration with Wolffkran. 

"Thanks to the unique design, the chaRope fiber rope has the same diameter as a steel rope and is thus significantly thinner than comparable prod-ucts from competitors," says Thomas Heidrich, CTO and member of Group Management Board at Wolffkran GmbH. "The rope design consists of a multi-layered, twisted rope core made of high-tensile high-tech fibers and an abrasion-resistant, thin-walled fiber composite cover," explains Dr. Thorsten Heinze, Managing Di-rector of Trowis GmbH. "Thanks to this structure, we can offer 12- and 16-mm diameter crane ropes at market entry."

"All WOLFF cranes with 12- or 16-mm steel wire rope can be equipped with the new chaRope® fiber rope. The ropes are fully compatible with the crane series, and no adjustments to the rope sheaves, hoisting gear, or load capacities have to be made," says Thomas Heidrich. “In our current portfolio, this applies to all models in the WOLFF Clear series, the new WOLFF 21 FX cranes and the WOLFF 8033.16 Cross.”

Aside from its small diameter, the unique fiber composite design of the rope cover has further advantages over conventional, braided covers: It is monolithic, i.e., seamlessly impermeable. As a result, moisture can't penetrate through to the inside of the rope, nor can lubricants or fiber abrasions leak through to the outside. "The rope does not run dry, even after many years, and the environment is not polluted with microscopic plastic," says Peter Streubel, Managing Di-rector of Trowis GmbH. Furthermore, the rope cover offers 100% UV protection for the interior core and serves as an indicator of when the rope needs to be discarded. The rope must be replaced if it shows damage, such as material degradation, cracks, or twists. The fibers of the rope core are made of extremely dimensionally sta-ble material. As a result, the core hardly plasticizes, preserving the rope's round cross-section shape. Because of this, chaRope can be used in the most challenging environments – like the WOLFF – keeping its shape on icy mountain peaks and in hot desert regions, regardless of the temperature.

The chaRope fiber rope is roughly 80 percent lighter than a steel rope. This enormous savings in weight not only enables greater lift-ing capacities but also significantly easier and safer handling during transport, assembly, and rope changing. Thanks to the fiber compo-site design developed by rope specialist Trowis, chaRope has a life span that is at least four times greater than a conventional rope made of steel wire. Furthermore, the ropes need not be relubricated or cleaned, and the rope sheaves hardly experience wear. For the customer, this means reduced maintenance work and greater crane availability while also conserving resources.

The chaRope fiber rope has been undergoing extensive testing on a spooling test bench. It will shortly undergo comprehensive field testing in Wolffkran’s UK rental fleet and also make a first appear-ance on the new WOLFF 6021 FX at Bauma. “We look forward to celebrating an additional trade fair debut with the chaRope® fiber rope,” says Thomas Heidrich. “The test phase will be completed in June 2023, and the rope will be available on the market in August 2023. As of that time, we will supply all WOLFF models with 12- or 16-mm rope, optionally with the steel or fiber ver-sion. We will also successively fit cranes in our rental fleet with the new fiber rope. In the medium term, we plan to develop further fiber ropes with other typical diameters together with Trowis, to offer the entire WOLFF crane range with the innovative fiber rope".