Glossary
Roping
The arrangement of hoist ropes, sheaves, and attachment points connecting an elevator car, counterweight, and drive sheave. In 1:1 roping, rope speed equals car speed; in 2:1 roping, rope speed is twice car speed.
Roping configuration is a fundamental design decision in traction elevators. In a 1:1 roping arrangement, the ropes run directly from the car hitch plate, over the drive sheave, and down to the counterweight. The rope speed equals the car speed, and the full car-side load is carried by the ropes.
In a 2:1 arrangement, the ropes pass around sheaves attached to the car and counterweight. The car moves half as fast as the rope: two metres of rope travel correspond to one metre of car travel. TK Elevator explains these configurations and describes 2:1 single-wrap arrangements as an option for machine-room-less elevators. The appropriate arrangement depends on the elevator design.