Felt Design for High Speed Printing Machines

Abstract

Shoe press machines for H. S. P. G.(High Speed Printing Grade) have been actively introduced to the market places in the last few years. Technological advancements that are responsible for those machines demand superior performance from paper machine clothing.We believe that the combination of multi-layer base press felts and grooved shoe press belts are the most desirable to meet the required functions, such as stable runnability, efficient dewatering, less contamination and good smoothness.Laminated 2-layer or 3-layer felt designs take advantage of extremely fine cap basa fabric on the sheet side.Favorable results of the above combination have been reported in the commercial applications. Lower basis weight and higher density of felts combined with grooved belts, in particular, have enhanced water splash at out-going nip, resulting in improved sheet dryness.The latest generation of paper machines with no-draw configuration and design speed reaching 2, 000 meter per minute 6, 560 FPM) are becoming commercial reality.It is imperative to develop press felts and shoe press belts to most effectively tackle with additional issues such as “two-sidedness” and “re-wetting” as well as conventional felt and beit functions.