Overview article on slings: high-performance fibers with load-bearing role

Dolezych achieves high load-bearing capacities by using PE high-performance fibers. Photo: Dolezych

Dolezych GmbH & Co KG, based in Dortmund, is also taking up the cudgels for the synthetic material Dyneema. According to Marketing Manager Alexander Krosta, heavy-duty round slings and special lifting slings are increasingly being made from high-performance PE fibers instead of polyester. "This enables higher load-bearing capacities of up to 150 tons and more to be achieved with a slim design," he says. "Such fibers simplify the handling of heavy products considerably." Dolezych is introducing a new product this year with the DoNova PowerLift chains. This lighter version made from textile webbing can replace conventional sling chains in grades eight, ten and twelve.

"Synthetic fibers simplify the handling of the products considerably."

Alexander Krosta is Head of Marketing at Dolezych GmbH & Co.

Pirated copies create problems

As a partner along the value chain, RUD offers system solutions for the heavy-duty sector. Photo: RUD Ketten

Meanwhile, RUD Ketten GmbH & Co. KG in Aalen sees problems with imitation products. "Since the potential of the industry is known and high-quality technical products are on the market, low-cost suppliers have been copying such innovations with low standards of workmanship. However, poor quality entails high safety risks," outlines Managing Director Hermann Kolb. However, the market places high demands on operational safety and product testing. "Cheap imitations cannot be assigned to a manufacturer or a production batch. In addition, there is a lack of technical documentation or legally required certifications," he complains. Traditional manufacturers such as RUD, on the other hand, set high standards for innovation and quality and bring more than a century of experience to their products. "We create markets as innovators and inventors," emphasizes Hermann Kolb.

"Poor quality harbors high safety risks."

Hermann Kolb Managing Director of RUD Ketten

RUD believes that clear product identification and tracking is necessary to ensure the highest possible operational reliability. Hermann Kolb: "Here, for example, we offer a solution supported by RFID technology. It takes over the legal inspection documentation and administration." As the market leader, RUD is a partner along the entire value chain and offers not only products, but also system solutions. The portfolio is in the high-end range and meets every requirement. For 2018, he announced a "market-revolutionizing new development". For the first time, it has been possible to combine high load-bearing capacity with easy handling. "Misapplications, as they occur with market competitors, are now ruled out due to the design."

HTS places high demands on safety and performance in heavy-duty transportation. Photo: HTSHTS places high demands on safety and performance in heavy-duty transportation. Photo: HTS

HTS Hydraulische Transportsysteme GmbH also places high demands on safety and performance in internal heavy-duty transportation. ECO-Jack machine jacks for loads up to 50 tons, ECO-Skate transport trolleys up to 220 tons and the wind power plant (WKA) system for the tower assembly of plants are produced at the company headquarters in Fellbach. The product range is supplemented by a large number of different products from the USA. They handle loads weighing up to 44.6 tons reliably and safely. HTS also attaches great importance to flexibility. "The stops have ball bearings with a high safety factor and can be bolted or welded on. Most of them can be freely rotated 360 degrees and swiveled 180 degrees under load. This means that they are always optimally aligned in the direction of the applied force," explains Managing Director Stefan Koch. Each anchor point is tempered, 100 percent magnetically crack-tested and subjected to a 200 percent load test.

subjected. The safety standard also includes regular checks by an independent laboratory and a serial number for the accident prevention regulations (UVV). This ensures complete traceability.

"Entire tower families and types from different manufacturers can be flexibly assembled with just six attachment points."

Michael Koch is Managing Director of HTS Hydraulische Transportsysteme GmbH in Fellbach.

The areas of application extend to all branches of industry in which tools, containers or machines have to be moved during production, maintenance and servicing. The WKA system from HTS is a special feature. "This makes it noticeably easier to assemble the tower segments of systems. Entire tower families and types from different manufacturers can be flexibly assembled with just six attachment points," explains Stefan Koch.

Intra means: Belts I mean

Is it permissible to make at least a little joke about the word sling? No, it sounds from the neighboring office, here at materialfluss it's all about intralogistics and nothing else. Pah! My colleague Mr. Hiemer's remarks are in order, but my sling of choice is a lashing strap. For my suitcase, which I hope will be full of exciting press kits on the way back from CeMAT!

Klaus Hiemer