Forming Fabric Design and History

Historically phosphor-bronze and stainless steel were used to weave forming fabrics. Increasing paper machine speeds as well as demand for improved paper properties led to a change in the raw materials employed which started in the early 1960s vdth the use of synthetic materials, primarily polyester and polyamide. 

Since this time, the fimdamental manufacturing process chain has remained the same. 

As the quality requirements of papermakers were increasing, an improved weave was developed having an additional weft on the paper side, giving more support to the paper fiber (see Fig. 6.16). 

Extended width and increased speed of paper machines called additionally for higher cross-direction fabric stabihty. This was provided by adding another weft system in the center of the fabric (see Fig. 6.17). 

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