b'PRESS FELT TECHNOLOGYPower to Tissue - Tailor made press felt technologyBy Jochen Pirig, Strategic Product Manager Press Felts and Belts, Heimbach GmbHEven at the beginning of its development, Heimbach product managers were sure that Atrojet had the potential to usher in a new era in press felt technology. Heimbach promised paper manufacturers that they would develop a press felt that would create completely new opportunities. This has been accomplished, as Atrojet is the first felt worldwide that unites the advantages of Heimbachs most significant press felt design groups: the non-woven design group AtrocrossFigure 1. Increased number of crossing point of all yarns is the leading feature of multiaxialand the multi-axial design groupfelt technology.Atromaxx who both belong to the modern felt designsso-called advanced technology bases (ATB). Even though the existing productdirection (MD) yarn structure is spectrum is sophisticated, Heimbacharranged in a diagonal direction which Non-woven Atrocross and multi-axialkeeps on improving its existingis the characteristic multi-axial angle Atromaxx press felts are offeringproduct lines and developing newimproving collapse resistance by comprehensive product ranges inproducts. increasing crossing points of all yarns.their individual design group to meet the requirements of press feltAtrojet is one of the latestBroad flexibility is given by the fact application.developments which is an innovatingthat the non-woven paper side layer Either design group have theirnew press felt design combiningcan consist of different ply twist yarns prominent advantages such as shortthe advantages of multi-axial andas well as different yarn diameters and break in time and high nip dewateringnon-woven technology. With thea flexible yarn count.capacity of Atrocross or the greatmulti-axial non-woven technology, flexibility of base weave combinationsthe product managers can meet theThe evenness and uniformity from of Atromaxx to meet individualparticular requirements of press feltAtrojet isinside the felt provides smooth felt and particular requirements whichpositions even better. The specifican innovatingsurfaces through a high contact area. is important for customized well- quality of Atrojet is the structure ofnew pressThe homogeneous and high contact engineered press felt application. the base inside, which is, facing thefelt designarea of Atrojet base is superior among paper side, and consists of a uniquecombining thepress felt technologies. Homogeneous In addition to these two modern pressnon-woven layer. That layer of yarnsadvantagescompact felts are important features felt design groups the classicallyis made of machine direction yarnsof multi- for Tissue felt application regarding woven, respectively laminated baseonly which results in great strength,axial andeven pressure transmission at the weave felt designs, belong to theevenness and smoothness of the basenon-wovenpress nip which is key for even Heimbach assortment, too. facing the paper side. The machinetechnology.dewatering and even CD profiles of 52 TISSUE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL'