FAQ
Script Ropeway Technology by Prof. Dr.-Ing. W.A. Günthner, Institute fml - TU München
As a special service for all ropeway fans we are able to offer the script "Ropeway Technology" by Prof. Dr.-Ing. W.A. Günthner, head of the Institute fml (Institute for Materials Handling, Material Flow, Logistics) of the TU München on our homepage. (Start the download by clicking on the PDF symbol.)
We thank Prof. Dr.-Ing. W.A. Günthner for his kind permission. For further information on Prof. Günthner and the Institute fml of the TU München, please visit: www.fml.mw.tum.de
How much does one metre of ropeway cost?
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question. The crucial factors that determine the price of a ropeway are the topographic situation on site, the desired carrier capacity, the length of the ropeway and as a result the type of the system chosen.
What ropeway systems are there and what are the differences among them?
Go to the Products - Ropeways menu to find a short description of each ropeway system.
How are the heavy ropes put on the ropeway?
This process of the construction of a ropeway is called "pulling the rope". As it is not possible to start right away with the heavy and thick rope, a thin and light rope is pulled on the ropeway first. This happens either manually, using rope winches or with the help of helicopters. Then, a thicker rope is spliced or knotted onto the thinner one and, consequently, pulled by means a of rope winch. This procedure is repeated with ropes that increase in thickness until the final rope with the correct diameter lies on the sheave assemblies of the ropeway towers.
How are ropeway ropes made endless?
This procedure is called "splicing" in technical terminology and is applied to so-called strand ropes which are used as haul ropes or ropes with a hauling or support function. During the splicing, the rope which consists of several strands (one strand consists of several individual wires) is untwisted at the ends. Then, the individual strands of the two ends are interlaced and the result is an endless rope. The connection point is called splice and can hardly be detected by a layman – if done correctly.
