Tissue Machine Forming Fabric Design

Tissue machine forming fabrics are designed to retain as much fiber and other furnish components as possible while allowing water to drain through them as quickly as possible. These fabrics are typically produced from monofilament strands or yarns that are woven together in a pattern that can be classified by their fabric style (or weave); mesh, count, and diameter; surface topography; and air permeability. This module discusses how each of these characteristics affect final sheet quality.

•Identify machine direction and cross direction •List the fabric characteristics that should be considered during forming fabric selection •Describe fabric styles (single, double, triple layer) •Describe mesh, count, and yarn diameter •Describe surface topography •Describe air permeability •Describe how the fabric characteristics impact dewatering and formation of a sheet