The new Lankhorst Offshore Division rope test machine is now up and running. In addition to new rope development, the machine will allow Lankhorst to establish project baseline test data and run ‘what if’ scenarios for deepwater ropes by simulating hurricanes and loop current events.
Located at Lankhorst’s Portugal fibre rope production facility, the rope test machine will help to fill an important knowledge gap in mechanical performance and fatigue behaviour for a range of new materials and rope constructions for deepwater mooring and single point mooring (SPM) systems.
The rope test machine can test 20m ropes with loads up to 1,200t. It has a primary cylinder rated at 1,200t x 3m stroke and a secondary cylinder of 1.5m length coupled to a power pack of 350kW. In addition, the machine features a precise mechanical control system designed to maintain peak load such that target loads can be maintained within 10kN during testing.
The rope test machine has received its Certificate of Calibration from the National Physical Laboratory (UK). When analysed in accordance with ISO 7500-1:2004, test results for the calibration are within the Class 0.5 classification limits, compared with Class 1.0 limits for most rope test machines.
SPM and deepwater developments
The new test machine will be used to develop new ropes and to qualify prototype ropes in accordance with the OCIMF 2000 Hawser standards and other international standards.
“With access to the new rope test machine, we will be able to provide more accurate modeling of deepwater ‘what-if’ scenarios for a range of rope materials and constructions will ensure naval architects have the best possible rope data when designing mooring systems,” says Dave Rowley, director, Offspring International.
The rope test machine is currently being used to provide test data for a joint industry project (JIP) on polyester rope stiffness modeling, testing and analysis.
For more information on the Lankhorst rope test machine contact Dave Rowley, director, Offspring International by email: david.rowley@offspringinternational.com.