Paper Machine Clothing With Irregular Hexagonal Through-Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper machine clothing lacks sufficient tensile strength, particularly in the machine direction, while maintaining high permeability and uniform dewatering capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The paper machine clothing features through-channels arranged in an irregular hexagonal pattern, with varying distances between neighboring channels, enhancing tensile strength without compromising dewatering efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If through-channels are arranged in a regular pattern to maintain uniform dewatering, then dewatering uniformity is improved, but tensile strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a regular symmetric through-channel pattern to an irregular asymmetric pattern. The through-channels are arranged with varying distances between neighbors, creating an irregular hexagonal-like structure that eliminates high-symmetry points. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the formation of weak points while maintaining sufficient dewatering uniformity, thereby resolving the contradiction between dewatering uniformity and tensile strength.
2Quantity of substance
If through-channels are densely arranged to increase permeability, then open area is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variation in the through-channel arrangement. Rather than uniform distribution, the irregular pattern creates local regions with different channel densities and spacing. This allows the structure to maintain high overall permeability while having locally optimized regions that preserve structural integrity, preventing the formation of weak zones that would compromise overall strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The irregular hexagonal arrangement provides improved tensile strength, especially in the machine direction, while maintaining a high open area and uniform dewatering, resulting in higher quality fiber web production.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is perforated using a laser beam LB from a laser that is connected to a controller so as to drill a plurality of discrete through-channels 30 into the substrate 20
Data Source
AI summary
A paper machine clothing has a substrate with an upper side, a lower side, two lateral edges, and a usable region between the two lateral edges. A multiplicity of through-channels are formed in the usable region, extending through the substrate from the upper side to the lower side. At least one of the plurality of through-channels has exactly six directly neighboring through-channels of the plurality of through-channels surrounding it as a central through-channel in the shape of an irregular hexagon. There is also described a method of producing such a paper machine clothing.