Polymer threads used to weave machine clothing fabric
Machine Clothing
Albany International produces high quality machine clothing for paper machines. The clothing provides support for the pulp while allowing it to dry to form the paper. The weaving pattern of the clothing is of crucial importance as the flow patterns of water through the fabric may create visible markings in the paper. At the same time, the fabric has to be durable to withstand the strain and wear when the paper machine is run at full speed.
Simulations
In CoSiMa, fabrics were imaged at Albany using X-ray tomography. The resulting structures were used as input for flow simulations using the Gesualdo software at different Reynolds numbers. Results were validated using air flow measurements following a standard protocol used at Albany, and simulations at realistic situations corresponding to a fabric in a paper machine were also performed. The project aims at virtual design and optimisation of weaving patterns for machine clothing using our tools for AI-enhanced virtual design and simulation of flow patterns.
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