Features Health & Safety Operations & Management
New safety standard for wet-laid spunlaced nonwovens machines

May 30, 2017 – In the shape of standard VN 3260/TN 0790, Voith Paper and Trützschler Nonwovens have developed a new safety standard for wet-laid spunlaced (WLS) nonwovens machines, saying the standard will help producers ensure “safe and reliable operation” of their machines.

It also provides the basic prerequisite for meeting expectations in respect of production and quality, explain the parties. Voith and Trützschler jointly developed the manufacturing process for wet-laid and hydroentangled nonwovens. The machines on which the materials are produced consist partly of paper machine components and partly of components from nonwoven machines. The manufacturing process for wet-laid Nonwovens is similar to that for producing paper: A suspension consisting of water and fibers up to 40 mm long is passed over a wire on which a homogeneous fiber mat forms. The hydroentangling or spunlacing process produces bonded Nonwovens that can be textured if required. Drying and winding of the Nonwovens are done on other machine components.

The newly developed standard combines various Voith and Trützschler safety standards for paper and textile machines in a new document. Voith and Trützschler say the safety standard has been incorporated by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) as the basis for developing an international standard, which will achieve greater impact on a global level.