WireCo Reports Synthetic Pendants Cut Mining Equipment Stress and Extend Asset Life

Newsroom > Press Release

April 2, 2026

Leawood, KS, USA, 04.02.2026 - WireCo®, a global supplier of wire and synthetic rope solutions, has identified vibration and shock transfer as a key contributor to structural fatigue in mining equipment, with its UNION Gladiator synthetic pendants engineered to reduce these forces in draglines and electric rope shovels.

As mines push equipment harder to maximize output, managing dynamic loads is becoming critical. In hard rock applications, shock generated during digging travels through the boom and into the machine structure, creating repeated stress cycles in key load-bearing components. Over time, these cycles contribute to fatigue, particularly at weld points and high-stress junctions.

Synthetic pendants act as a damping element within this load path, absorbing and dissipating a portion of that energy before it propagates through the boom. By reducing peak loads and smoothing stress distribution, they help limit stress concentrations that can lead to cracking and premature component failure.

In a comparative analysis on an electric rope shovel, synthetic pendants reduced harmonic energy by 13% and lowered sideloading stress by around 29%, translating into an average 14% increase in component life.

"Vibration doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but it's a major driver of long-term structural damage," said Brent Dein, Manager, Technical Services Engineer at WireCo. "If you can control how that energy moves through the machine, you can reduce fatigue, limit repairs and keep equipment running more consistently."

There is also a knock-on effect for operators. Lower vibration levels can improve comfort over long shifts and support wider industry efforts to manage exposure in line with workplace safety expectations, including guidance from organizations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The commercial case is increasingly being viewed over the full lifecycle of the asset. While synthetic pendants come at a higher upfront cost than steel, they are designed to last for the life of the machine-reducing replacement frequency, maintenance intervention and improving availability over time.

"For high-output operations, the cost of downtime quickly outweighs the initial investment," added Dein. "That's why we're seeing more mines evaluate these decisions based on long-term performance rather than upfront cost alone."

WireCo says the approach is particularly relevant for high-value mining operations, including copper, gold and lithium, where even small reductions in downtime can have a meaningful impact on production.

To learn more about UNION Gladiator synthetic pendants, visit www.gladiatormining.com.

About WireCo

WireCo markets value-added products under several brands that are recognized throughout the world and used in a wide range of market applications. WireCo is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, USA, with manufacturing plants, distribution facilities and research and development centers worldwide.

Media Contacts:

Dan Burch
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
WireCo
+1-816-270-4829
[email protected]
www.wireco.com

Shreyasi Bhaumik
Director - Global Partnerships & Communications
BCM Public Relations Ltd.
+44 (0) 20 3965 7410
[email protected]