The conference was connected with the 65th anniversary of the Laboratory of Ropes and Shaft Equipment of the Central Mining Institute. Its purpose was to present the main problems in conducting research on steel ropes and new solutions for certification testing of electrical power components and accessories, in conformity with applicable standards. The conference was attended by representatives of mines and mining companies, and supervising and research units. Many delegates from AGH University of Science and Technology are present here today, as our cooperation is long-term and it is an honour to be here - said Prof. Andrzej Tytko at the opening of the conference, and Prof. Joseph Hansel added that, we must emphasize the consistency of GIG, the Institute makes sure that rope transport is safe.
The Laboratory of Ropes and Shaft Equipment of the Central Mining Institute throughout the period of its activity has been closely associated with the industry. It was established in response to the real needs of the post-war mining industry and aimed to contribute to the improvement of transport safety in shafts. One of the first activities included the unification of construction of hoisting ropes and research on working conditions and durability of the ropes in the coal industry.
It has always been important for us that our developed studies and test methods on ropes are useful to the industry. And we have managed to achieve that. Among other things, our work has contributed to the increase in the durability of ropes used in mining by an average of approx. 30%, we have developed proposals for new safety regulations and criteria for acceptable use of ropes of different designs. We test the ropes both in operating and laboratory conditions - said dr Eng. Mariusz Szot, Head of the Laboratory. As one of the first institutions, we obtained the Certificate of Accreditation of the Polish Centre for Testing and Certification, now PCA, recognition of the Polish Register of Shipping to carry out testing of ropes and wires, and authorization of the Central Inspectorate of Railway Technical Supervision to perform destructive and non-destructive testing on ropes and other items bearing cable cars and ski lifts.
For 33 years the work of the Laboratory was led by Prof. Jan Hankus, who was among others, the author of many of the original own studies, such as a new method for determining the properties of elastic ropes, awarded by the International Organization OIPEEC. His (and his son’s) diagnostic tests on wires and ropes based on the result of metal magnetic memory were considered highly innovative diagnostic methods in the twenty-first century.
The dynamic development of the mining industry in the post-war years until the 80s required new solutions to many issues concerning ropes and shaft equipment. Implementation of such research was made possible thanks to the competence of our employees, as well as the laboratory equipped with unique testing machines for rope fatigue, a testing machine with a maximum force of 5,000 kN, and a machine for testing properties of wires - mentioned Prof. Jan Hankus.
The mining industry is not the only partner of the Laboratory and it keeps looking for new areas of activity. Currently, it is the only one in Poland that performs accredited testing of power cables. In March 2016, the Laboratory expanded its scope of research into norms concerning power cables and the wires that the cables are made of.
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