Today Voith Paper provides seamed press fabrics for approximately 85% of the paper machines using roll presses irrelevant of the grade of paper or board. Increasingly, modern seamed press fabric designs are used in single-felted shoe presses and the heavily stressed last press positions of graphic paper machines. In the case of packaging paper, seamed fabrics have already been used for years – and even on more demanding double-felted shoe presses.

Security paper – champions’ league for the felt. The ultimate challenge for a seamed fabric is specialty paper. The production of security paper is regarded as the champions’ league. Here too, seam fabrics from Voith are now gathering points: since 2010 Voith seam fabrics have been used on an increasing number of specialty paper machines independent of the machine builder. In the last two years, Voith has nearly doubled the supply of seamed fabrics to specialty paper machines along with expanding their experience on other positions and machines. Any concerns that seam felt quality may limp behind continuous fabrics can thus be definitively refuted.

The fact is that the seam join and seam area characteristics have been improved to such an extent that they no longer differ in practice from the fabrics with regard to thickness, density, water absorption, water release and strength over the entire service life. The fact that the specially formed seam loops are so small is a big factor in them being so easy to close. The development engineers achieved other advances by developing a lasting seam cover (flap) for protection of the seam area, modifying base fabric bonds and reducing yard thicknesses, which has tremendously reduced the marking propensity of the seam area. Furthermore, the needling was optimized and additional base modules were developed to improve the functionality of application. Base fabric yarns were specially developed to optimize the compaction and contamination resistance and thus ensure consistent dewatering performance and sheet quality over the entire service life.

Work safety is increased. A big advantage with seamed press fabrics for paper manufacturers is the comparatively ease of handling during clothing changes. Working time is thus saved and work safety is increased. A seam fabric can be installed by only three employees in 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (depending on the position and felt width) with minimal safety risk. With continued successful installations on a variety of paper machines, paper manufacturers can be ensured of the safety of their employees during fabric installation.//