Technical Bulletins

Wire mesh is a versatile material consisting of parallel rows and intersecting columns of wire. It comes in many different shapes, sizes, weave designs, materials and metal alloys for a number of industrial and manufacturing applications. Among the specifications used to describe wire mesh are the terms Nominal and Absolute retention rating, but what exactly…

For this series on understanding wire mesh for filtration, in part one we discussed different mesh weaves and their roles in filter design.  Here in part two, we will consider factors that degrade mesh performance as it relates to mesh aperture. When choosing a micronic mesh for a filter application, key variables often overlooked are…

Selecting a micron wire mesh can be a daunting task. To better understand the complexities of mesh selection overall, let’s consider the more limited example of just choosing a 60-micron filtration mesh.  We will first discuss some of the variables in what you expect the mesh to accomplish, followed by a comparison of the ways…

What is the Lead Angle? The lead angle adjustment controls the path the material travels across the screen. In round vibratory separators, the lead angle can be best defined as the counterclockwise angle between the top and bottom weights when viewing the machine from above. When set to the correct lead angle, the material feed path…

Using a vibratory separator machine is a reliable method of sorting, classifying, and cleaning a wide range of materials, both dry and wet. Because the material is sorted through a wire mesh screen, some materials tend to clog the mesh openings, effectively limiting the capacity of the machine’s throughput. To avoid stopping the process to…

With the price of raw material skyrocketing, many manufacturers using Vibratory Separator Machines are wondering – how do we keep our costs of replacement screens at a manageable rate? According to the office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the stainless-steel index has increased more than 29.5% over the last year, realizing an approximate…

Production of Fiber molds (sometimes called Pulp molds) used for food and other containers has increased significantly in the last 10 years. Consumers are looking for more sustainable packaging, driving many companies to switch from plastic formed to fiber molded containers. According to the most recent report conducted by Fredonia Research for the International Fiber…

#1: Select Best Porous Media Type #2: Determine Correct Heat Treatment #3: Optimize Blank Layout Choosing the best porous media for your project is key to getting good quality, repeatable wire forms and the desired look and feel of the fiber mold. The media used will depend on size, finish, strength, and other factors required…

In the metal fabrication industry, drawing has two meanings. One is the drawing of wire by taking it through a die to reduce its diameter. The second type of drawing is the process of forming metal, such as wire mesh or sheet metal, over a tool to create a three-dimensional shape. Through heat treating, the…

Bringing any product to market is a lengthy and expensive process. In this article we will consider best practices for tooling prototyping and product development, giving special emphasis on prototyping deep-drawn products such as wire forms. Wire forms, here, refers to wire mesh, perforated, and expanded metals, all of which are Media Types used to…

Molded fiber production began over 100 years ago as a protective and efficient way to package more delicate goods such as eggs and light bulbs. Fiber molds can be formed to almost any shape and are able to absorb shock and avoid damage to the product. Now fiber molded products (sometimes known as pulp molded…

Cutting wire mesh or cloth to a correct specification can be challenging. Wire mesh does not behave like sheet metal and can easily fray or move out of line if the mesh is not set up properly. Cutting mesh or cloth is referred to as slitting, shearing, or both. Slitting wire mesh is cutting it…