AGILE is a hybrid product that combines the advantages of both round and rope slings into one lightweight, easy-to-handle rigging system for heavy offshore payloads.

Samson will launch the AGILE Lifting System at the Offshore Technology Conference on May 2, 2016. This next generation of heavy-lift slings was developed to meet the unique needs of lifting contractors and lift planners conducting engineered lifts.

Utilizing the high-performance synthetic ropes that Samson is known for, AmSteel Blue and AS-78, AGILE is a hybrid product that combines the advantages of both round and rope slings into one lightweight, easy-to-handle rigging system for heavy offshore payloads. The new system is available from 50t to 4,000t MBL.

“The AGILE Lifting System is more than a new type of lifting sling that utilizes synthetic ropes,” said Joe Mazzacano, VP Sales and Marketing at Samson. “Samson has developed a streamlined process that includes proprietary configuration software, which factors the lift parameters to quickly and accurately engineer the most effective sling design for the job. Agile slings are a clean, easy-to-handle design that can be fabricated in just days. Heavy-lift slings made of large diameter rope that used to take weeks to manufacture can now be produced in a matter of days using smaller diameter AmSteel-Blue and AS-78, which Samson distributors stock all of the time.”

The AGILE Lifting System is designed to match the strength and light weight of Samson's proven synthetic rope slings, with a form factor similar to smaller-capacity round slings. A continuous length of high-performance synthetic rope is looped within critical length tolerances, organized to maintain balance internally, and finished with a sheath that protects the line from damage. The protective cover can be opened so the rope can be easily inspected. The design offers flexibility, allowing the same sling to be configured with different wrap counts or lengths, to further maximize the value.

“Currently, there are basically three types of slings available for lifting heavy loads, including steel wire cable-laid slings, traditional rope slings and fiber round slings, all of which have various drawbacks to their designs,” said Mazzacano. “The AGILE Lifting System offers another option for critical engineered lifts.”

In particular, because they are 80% lighter, AGILE trumps cable-laid slings that add even more weight to already heavy packages, and can also damage sensitive equipment. AGILE also offers advantages over traditional rope slings in some situations, like lifts that require short lengths. Also, lifts that require the strength of large diameter ropes can have long lead times to produce, and the sheer bulk of these large ropes make fabrication cumbersome and sometimes requires multiple adjustments to achieve precise length tolerances. Compared to fiber round slings, AGILE is able to achieve greater strength, greater durability and increased cut resistance.

After extensive field trials and tests, the AGILE Lifting System is a proven strong and durable option. After a 10-month trial at a multi-use operation, inspections revealed no damage other than cosmetic scuffing of the covers, and residual strength tests show that AGILE slings retained 90–100 percent of their rated strength.

AGILE can be seen at OTC, Reliant Center Booth #2771.

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