XCover System for ropes uncovered at SMM

It approaches rope selection by considering the factor typically most important when choosing ropes, the break load. Ropes are traditionally described via their outer diameter resulting from the total cross-section of both core and cover. However, the strength of ropes made with Dyneema is determined exclusively by the load bearing core. In contrast, the cover serves to ensure the rope is primed for the various potential areas of specific application. This means that overall diameter and weight varies, but the strength remains constant.

That is why Gleistein is now turning the tables on the usual convention and breaks down its range of high modulus double and multiple braids according to their respective break loads. This ensures more clarity and easier comparisons. The XCover System was unveiled along with further tailor made rope solutions for commercial marine applications at SMM.

Which cover is the right one? And how does a cover affect the diameter and weight of a rope? While the requirements placed on a high performance rope can usually be easily compared and described with just a few simple parameters, the criteria for a cover are often individual as they largely depend on how they will be deployed.

With its new XCover System, Gleistein has broken down its range of ropes with Dyneema cores into two types: untreated for maximum flexibility and long life; and heat set for greater material density and optimised strength and stretch attributes. All double braids of the MegaTwin Dyneema series can now be seen on an easily intelligible overview, and ropes from the MegaTwin Dyneema HS series in another. The MegaTwin construction type is replaced from a certain thickness by the multi-braid MegaMooring series, which features seven braided cores that are bundled together by the cover.

Five covers types can be chosen from, which affect attributes such as dimensional stability, performance on winches, abrasion resistance, buoyancy, weight and the diameter of the rope.