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Requirements are increasing
Market requirements with regard to needled and hydroentangled nonwovens are moving increasingly in the direction of
- Highest surface quality
- Minimal damage to fibres and base materials
- Processability of high-strength fibers and maximally abrasive fibers
- Best possible physical properties
- High abrasion values
Furthermore, felting needles are expected to provide ever longer service life, retaining constant needling performance and steadily reducing energy consumption and noise.
The same applies to jetstrips for hydroentanglement. Ideally the manufacturing speed for these products - i.e. the productivity - should not be adversely affected. Quite the reverse - it has to be increased still further!
Groz-Beckert is mastering this challenge. Development work is focusing on the efficiency of felting needles and jetstrips. On the basis of aspects such as coating, material, working part and needle geometry, the requirements mentioned are being fulfilled.
Special coating for longer service life
To achieve longer service life for needles, Groz-Beckert is working on needles with special coatings that may also result in reduced needling force. This coating also offers corrosion protection, and its anti-adhesive character reduces contamination.
Geometrical changes in the working part
On another new type of needle, by means of geometrical changes in the region of the working part, Groz-Beckert is achieving improved physical characteristics with lower penetration forces and improved surface aspects.
Optimal materials
Similar properties that lengthen service life are achieved through the use of special materials. These contain extremely hard alloy components, so that the barbs of the needles are abraded far more slowly during use.
Special controlled heat treatment also contributes towards longer needling cycles and to even mechanical properties.
Needle geometry reduces needle breakage
With the aid of a changed needle geometry - aimed at higher stability - Groz-Beckert achieves a sharp reduction in needle breakage, while the surface quality of the product requiring processing remains almost preserved.
The finest barbs and working part cross-sections with the highest evenness enable the use of Groz-Beckert felting needles even in product areas where ultrafine fibers, microfibers and also splittable fibres are used.
A high degree of gentleness on fibres and base material, especially in the paper-machine felt sector, is achieved using working-part cross sections such as the teardrop needle. As the first result of the Innovation Initiative Nonwovens, the EcoStar - a universal needle for extreme requirements - will be presented at the ITMA in Barcelona.