With ever more fields of application and the exponentially growing rate at which conventional materials are replaced, the demand for technical textiles continues to surge. Alongside the need for high-tech products, the challenges relating to productivity and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing are also increasing.

GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG, a leading market leader for metal and plastic woven solutions, will present its innovative process belt solutions for optimising these sophisticated manufacturing processes at the upcoming Techtextil trade fair, which takes place in Frankfurt, next month.

Highly efficient woven dryer belts with non-stick coating will take centre stage at GKD's trade fair display. In the spotlight will be the model of a double-belt dryer with upper and lower belt. The second focus of the exhibition is the newly developed Conductive 7690 forming belt for the production of spunbond nonwovens. Spiral fabrics manufactured inhouse round off the range of pioneering process belt solutions for nonwoven manufacturing.

Coated belts for bonding and drying of nonwovens

Dryer belts from GKD are said to provide high lateral stability, optimum flatness, excellent running properties, proven robustness and non-marking pin seams, according to the manufacturer. Woven from metal, plastic or a combination of the two, they provide the process reliability needed for a high level of productivity.

With coated belt types developed for drying nonwovens, GKD says it is now responding to the increased challenges when processing products that are difficult to remove. “The glass hybrid mesh presented at Techtextil is both lightweight and laterally stable thanks to a glass wire in the warp direction,” the company reports. “Moreover, its high-quality PFA coating minimises both adhesion and soiling and makes otherwise unavoidable and costly cleaning processes a thing of the past – even for highly adhesive products. The innovative mesh structure for use in single- or double-belt dryers can be magnetic or non-magnetic depending on the respective application.”

More grip and ease of cleaning for spunlaid nonwoven forming processes can also be improved significantly by using the innovative Conductive 7690 forming belt, the company reports. Here, special monofilaments reliably dissipate any electrostatic charge that builds up during the process. The coarse belt structure in the running direction is said to ensure high traction and homogeneous web formation in the laydown zone. The grip provided by this mesh structure renders prior grinding unnecessary when changing belts, meaning that production speed can be reached again very quickly.

Process reliability in high-speed applications

The company offers belt types made of metal or plastic for highspeed applications in the production of hygiene nonwovens. At Techtextil, GKD will unveil a mesh structure featuring plastic wires with a break-proof granite coating, which can safely dissipate electrostatic charges in fastmoving processes.

Thanks to their self-regulating running properties, highly flexible V-crimp type belts are said to enable fault-free production even at high process speeds. “Their specific structure consisting of metal with wires made of special plastic in the running direction is ideal for small bending radii and a high application of force,” the company reports.

“Self-tracking, stainless steel V-crimp type belts successfully demonstrate their robust performance in washing and bleaching processes for fibres and textiles. These conveyor belts are resistant to aggressive lyes and boast impressive process reliability even when the bearing weight is uneven.”

www.gkd.uk.co