In selection of wire rope, what does “regular lay” indicate about the arrangement of wires and strands?

The term “regular lay” in wire rope refers to a specific arrangement of the wires and strands. In regular lay wire rope, the individual strands are twisted in one direction (either right or left), while the overall rope itself is twisted in the opposite direction. This arrangement is designed to provide balance and stability to the rope, improving its strength and making it more resistant to deformation under load.

The configuration of regular lay ensures that the strands are intertwined in a manner that reduces the risk of the rope unwinding or kinking during use. Furthermore, this lay type helps to distribute stress evenly across the rope, enhancing its durability and operational performance.

This understanding of regular lay also highlights why it would not be correct for the arrangement to be described as twisted in the same direction, any direction, or along a direction, as these do not accurately capture the unique characteristic of regular lay wherein the strands and the rope itself are twisted in opposite directions.