Gap former
Also: gap former, twin-wire former
A paper machine forming section that sandwiches the stock between two converging wires, giving two-sided drainage and uniform formation at high speed.
Gap formers (sometimes called twin-wire formers) spray the stock into a converging gap between two forming wires. Water drains from both sides simultaneously, giving faster drainage and more symmetric formation than a Fourdrinier. Modern newsprint, LWC, and fine paper machines run gap formers at speeds above 1800 m/min.
Related
- Fourdrinier. The traditional single-wire paper machine design where stock drains through a moving mesh. Invented 1803, still dominant for many grades.