GKD - Gebr. Kufferath AG products

Metal mesh-based filter cartridges are produced in a wide range of variants regarding their mechanical dimension, compressive strength and retention rate. The optimum filtration mesh is selected on the basis of the respective process requirements. Mechanical dimensions and compressive strengths are defined on the basis of existing filter systems. Filter cartridges can also be produced as backwashable elements. Filtration meshes and cartridge designs are optimally matched to one another, particularly for OEM applications. Mesh production and the following manufacturing steps can be set up as a homogeneous production chain.

Leaf disc filters are used as filter or screen elements in the most diverse of applications. Typical areas of application include the filtration of extruded polymers and use as elements in solid-liquid or air filtration applications. GKD uses die cutting technology for the production of leaf disc filters in large quantities and for individual forms its laser system specialized in the production of wire mesh. As a general rule, all meshes can be used to produce a leaf disc filter, from the finest twilled dutch weave to highly robust square meshes.

Mesh strips form the basis for the automated production of filters. In particular, filter production made up of wire mesh and injection-molded components is based on mesh strips. Mesh strips are produced on specialized cutting machines in widths of 3 mm up to > 1,000 mm. The strips lengths can be up to 500 rm, depending on the type of weave. To secure the cutting edges and increase the stability of the mesh, the DKS process defined in the automotive industry is used depending on the filtration mesh.

Mesh segments are produced as semi-finished products for further processing in filters or filter systems. The mesh segments can be individually manufactured with our plasma and laser cutting systems. These allow complicated geometries to be cut with high precision. At the same time, the segments get secured edges. The systems can produce segments in dimensions of up to 5 * 2 m. Larger segment sizes can be produced using conventional cutting technology up to diameters of > 5 m. In combination with cleaning and thermal treatment, semi-finished products can be supplied for series production or installation in our customers’ systems.

Wire meshes are produced on looms as mesh rolls. The metal meshes are stored on rolls. All further processing steps are then performed on the basis of this roll material. The mesh roll is used as a semi-finished product in applications where it is logistically undesirable to supply the material as strips or cut-to-size pieces due to the many different dimensional requirements. Depending on the type of weave, mesh rolls can be supplied in widths of up to 3.6 m and as custom orders up to 8 m. Standard roll lengths range between 30 and 50 m. Depending on the mesh used, however, lengths of up to 300 m can be supplied. Mesh rolls can be cleaned up to a width of 2 m and thermally treated up to a maximum width of 1 m. If meshes are required in smaller widths, partial widths can be produced from a mesh roll and ultimately become mesh strips.

Mesh discs are ready-for-installation flat discs made of metal mesh. Mesh discs serve as spare parts for rescreening filter plates in horizontal centrifugal filters or as fitted components in filters for polymer filtration. In large sizes, they are used as fittings in air separation systems and chemical equipment. They are manufactured to specified dimensions using plasma/laser cutting or punching technology. Besides dimensional accuracy, the cleanliness of the mesh discs is a particularly important quality criterion. Depending on customer requirements, the meshes are cleaned with ultrasound and degreased prior to processing. The flatness of the mesh discs is guaranteed by special pretreatment of the mesh prior to cutting. Clean and safe edges are ensured by adapting the cutting system settings and tools accordingly.

Filter discs are generally used as filter elements in static filters or in centrifugal filters. They are made of prefabricated mesh discs, which are attached to the plates used by the respective filtration unit. These designs generally employ a combination of internal drainage mesh and exterior filtration meshes. Models for static filters in particular are housed in frames, allowing filtration from both sides.

Conveyor belts for embossing processes in wood-processing applications. Metal meshes from GKD give the surface of OSB boards the desired structure. Our FLEXOPLAN® embossing belts either run into continuous presses as circulating belts or are used as mesh plates in multi-stage presses, where they also help condition the surface. Our special Linear Screen synthetic mesh produced from PPS is also ideally suited to the manufacture of screen printing plates and lends the surface the familiar structure.

Robust GKD meshes are used for fast and efficient dewatering in vacuum belt filters. The VACUBELT® 3354 and VACUBELT® 3356 variants developed specifically for this application ensure optimum running of the belt and a long service life by offering a high degree of lateral stability. GKD filter belts from the VACUBELT® range are manufactured from single layer polyester meshes and have a flat clipper seam connection.

Filtration meshes with 5-heddle atlas weave combine high flow rates with mechanical stability. With their smooth top surface, these further improved wire meshes/metal fabrics ensure a particularly even layer formation of the filter cake. The filter cake is also easy to remove. The surface of the mesh body is rough on the back. Thanks to the special weave, filter media can be very effectively cleaned. TELA meshes have proven particularly successful in filter systems with drum filters or disc filters in which filter cake build-up, cleaning and backwashing are performed in continuous cycles.