Preforming

Preforming preshapes strands before the rope is closed.  This process helically shapes the wires and strands into the shape they will assume in the finished rope. It improves handling and resistance to kinking by conforming the strands to the position they take in the rope.

 The superior qualities of preformed ropes result from wires and strands being "at rest" in the rope, which minimizes internal stresses within the rope. Today, preforming is virtually standard in rope manufacture, and non-preformed rope is made only on special order.