The GKD Group (GKD) will once again be presenting its integrative expertise for forming, drying, and bonding of nonwovens, as well as polymer filtration at INDEX in Geneva. The focus of the company’s presence at the world’s largest nonwovens fair will be on new products for meltblown, airlay, and spunbond nonwoven forming. The leading international technical weavers will also be offering the industry professionals in attendance insight into a further development of the glass hybrid fabric belts, which have been proven in exacting thermal bonding processes since 2016. The trade fair presence will be rounded off by tailor-made metal fabric filter media for central filters and spinning beams, as well as blower screens for polymer filtration. The industry experts of the popular provider will also be available to users and equipment manufacturers on all days of the trade fair for more in-depth discussions on concrete applications, issues, and solution approaches.
Process reliability, production efficiency, and product quality are key success criteria in the nonwovens industry. Conveyor and process belts from the GKD Group make a key contribution to these across the globe. The company’s comprehensive engineering and process expertise are what make this possible for product-specific and system-specific belt designs.
Airlay and meltblown: Belt surface with special topography
With the new CONDUCTIVE 2215 process belt fabric, GKD is extending its proven range of belts for nonwoven forming. This fabric type is characterized by a cross twill weave produced from special polyester filaments. The sophisticated combination of material selection, filament diameter, weave technology, and air permeability leads to an optimum fabric surface topography for precise nonwoven deposit. The belt therefore guarantees both a homogeneous deposit on the belt surface and good extraction. At the same time, it prevents fiber entanglement and fiber loss. These properties of the new fabric type offer a key increase in process efficiency, particularly when processing short-fiber, bleached cotton with airlay forming. Carbon-coated filaments in the fabric also securely discharge the electrostatic charge that occurs during forming processes.
Spunbond nonwoven forming: Metallic dissipation without product contact
With CONDUCTO® 7690, GKD will be presenting a fabric design comprising polyester monofilaments and metallic multifilaments at the INDEX fair. The metal fibers that are woven into the back of the belt do not come into contact with the product. This fabric type is therefore also ideal for risk-free production of demanding medical or hygiene products. At the same time, the robust yet flexible yarn produced from stainless steel fibers also guarantees up to ten times greater dissipation of electrostatic charge than conventional belts. Homogeneous web formation, a high degree of grip, and good nonwoven removal also underline the process reliability offered by this type of forming belt.
Converting: Spiral belts for seamless processes
With the spiral belts it produces in-house, GKD offers a high-performance solution for applications that require a seamless belt. Designed specifically for each customer, they represent an attractive alternative – for example for the very wide or high-speed systems used in the hygienic nonwovens sector. With usage-optimized air permeability rates, as well as both tracking stability and dimensional stability, these field-proven belts guarantee reliable converting processes.
Thermobonding: Glass hybrid fabric with anti-stick coating
Glass hybrid fabric belts from GKD have been setting unequaled standards for years in thermal bonding of highly voluminous or heavily compressed products in double-belt ovens. Excellent cross stability and full PFA coating qualify them for highly adhesive products, as well as for systems with large working widths or products with strong shrinking forces. As a single-ply fabric design with stainless steel wires in the weft direction and warp wires made from fiberglass strands, they are energy-efficient lightweights – available in both magnetic and non-magnetic form. The anti-stick coating of wires, strands, and intersections minimizes the cleaning intervals and thereby contributes to a significant increase in production speeds. The high efficiency of this belt type is underlined by a long service life. GKD will be presenting the further development of this successful product at INDEX with a new, strengthened fabric design that further increases cross stability. This also further improves continuous directional stability and thereby the service life.
Polymer filtration: A long service life thanks to metal fabric designs
Filter discs or cartridges, produced from up to six layers of metal fabric, help ensure a long screen changer service life. The process-based fabric design guarantees a high dirt holding capacity, fine filtration rates, and a low clogging tendency. Long filters or discs produced from layers of fabric matched specifically to the individual application optimize filtration of the fusion flow in spinning beams. At the same time, they help significantly extend the service life of the spinnerets. Large-format honeycomb supporting plates, which employ a specially enhanced fabric design on both sides, are a proven solution for blower screens. The homogeneous stream they produce secures an even fiber flow.
Prospective clients can find details and answers to questions relating to these and other high-performance fabric solutions for the nonwovens or polymer industry on the GKD stand.
