Lifting and lashing – why strong webbing is so important
When it comes to lifting and securing cargo, the strength of the webbing used is a critical factor that directly impacts safety, durability and overall performance.
Whether you’re lifting heavy loads in construction or securing goods during transportation, high-quality webbing that can withstand immense pressure and harsh conditions is vital.
At Trans-Web, we manufacture a range of lifting and lashing equipment made from high-quality polyester fibres to ensure our products are stronger, longer lasting and can endure the toughest environments.
In this blog, we’ll explore why strong webbing is essential for lifting and lashing equipment and how it contributes to the secure and efficient handling of loads across different industries.
But first, what is webbing?
Webbing is a strong and lightweight fabric, woven as a flat strip or tube of varying widths and fibres.
It can be manufactured from natural fibres including hemp, cotton or linen. However, it is now most commonly made from synthetic fibres such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester.
Polyester is most popular as it offers more strength, durability and affordability than its counterparts – plus, it’s easily customisable with different widths and styles.
This versatile material is frequently used for making slings, straps, harnesses and other safety equipment due to its high tensile strength (the maximum stress that can be applied along the length of the webbing before it breaks).
Polyester webbing is commonly used in industries including manufacturing, construction, logistics and warehousing, marine shipping and many more.
How is it used?
Lifting
Webbing slings are used to securely lift and move heavy loads by wrapping around the cargo and attaching it to a crane, hoist or other lifting equipment.
Slings are favoured for their gentle grip, lightweight design and high strength, and are available as simplex, duplex or endless designs.
Simplex slings are made from a single layer of webbing, which gives them a wider surface area.
This means they are ideal for lifting applications in logistics and warehousing industries where a wide bearing contact with the load is required and flexibility is key.
Duplex slings are thicker and narrower than simplex slings as they are made from two layers of webbing stacked on top of each other.
With greater strength and durability, these slings are typically used in industries such as construction, manufacturing and engineering.
Endless slings are continuous loops of webbing without end fittings. They can be rotated to provide an infinite number of contact points with the load and can be easily adjusted to different lifting tasks with a basket or choke application.
Here at Trans-Web, we specialise in the manufacture of simplex, duplex and endless webbing slings made from premium polyester webbing fibres.
Our slings can be customised to any specified length with flat eyes, folded eyes or steel terminals to suit any application.
Lashing
Webbing lashings are used to secure cargo during transportation by wrapping around or across the load to provide a firm restraint.
These systems are typically equipped with ratchet or cam buckle mechanisms to tightly fasten the load in place, minimising the risk of movement or damage occurring.
Ratchet straps are most commonly used for securing heavy loads on trucks and trailers, from roof rack straps to low loaders.
The ratchet tensioners allow for a significant amount of tension to secure heavier equipment and cargo in industries such as logistics, agriculture and automotive recovery.
The cam-lock mechanism on cam buckles allows for quick tightening by pulling the strap through the buckle. These straps are used for securing lighter loads such as boxes and delicate items, where ease of adjustment is more important than high tension.
Also used as a lashing system, webbing nets are designed to prevent movement of loose or bulky goods during transit as they provide a broader coverage of items.
In industries such as shipping, warehousing or distribution, webbing nets are typically used to keep cargo secure on pallets or in storage.
At Trans-Web, we manufacture ratchet straps, cam buckles and webbing nets from strong polyester webbing to ensure the security and protection of cargo during challenging transport conditions.
What makes webbing strong?
The strength of webbing lies in its construction and material properties.
Polyester webbing is made from multiple polyester fibres tightly weaved together to create a uniform and dense webbing structure.
This means that polyester webbing has a naturally high tensile strength, allowing it to withstand significantly heavier loads without stretching or breaking and can maintain its form for longer.
Polyester can endure harsh conditions, including prolonged UV (sunlight) exposure, moisture and varying temperatures, without degrading.
Additionally, polyester webbing is highly resistant to abrasion, reducing the risk of damage from friction against surfaces or loads. This ensures that the webbing remains intact and effective in lashing systems where continuous contact with cargo edges is common.
How can Trans-Web help?
We have over 30 years’ experience crafting lifting and lashing systems from premium polyester materials.
As a UK manufacturer, we proudly produce high-quality lifting, lashing and height safety equipment which is ‘Made in Britain’.
We design, manufacture and test products on-site using the latest technology in order to solve any problem that our customers may encounter.
To find out more about how Trans-Web can help your lifting and lashing operations, contact us at: https://www.trans-web.co.uk/contact-us/
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