GKD
GKD 
Smart mesh designs such as glass hybrid belts combine a monofilament metal shell with multifilament fibers in the warp.
GKD - Gebr. Kufferath AG, Düren/Germany, is presenting itself at the Techtextil with a focus on groundbreaking, intelligent mesh designs made from metal and all other industrially weavable materials.
As a leading global manufacturer of high-performance mesh that is developed on an application-specific basis for applications in industry and architecture, as well as process belts, the company offers the entire added value chain - from mesh production, all the way up to ready-for-installation systems - from a single source. With smart mesh designs that combine material properties with one another at the physical level and thereby furnish the basic material with additional benefits, innovative solution options are developed for users.
The basis for this is the diverse portfolio of weavable materials made from metal, special alloys, polymer, and other non-metals such as ceramic or glass as wire, cable or fiber. Through application-specific material combinations, weave types, web technologies and refinements, GKD transforms mesh into a smart product, with a large range of potential applications.
The heavy weaving machines that were developed in-house can weave all materials either individually or as combinations and in all directions – i.e. both warp and weft. Up to 10 material components – both monofilament and multifilament, as well as fibers – can be processed to create innovative mesh designs. Glass hybrid belts, which combine a monofilament metal shell with multifilament fibers in the warp, or forming belts with metal fibers in the warp and monofilament polymer in the weft are good examples of this weaving expertise. The company process monofilaments made of polymer and metal as weft wires from 13 µm-5 mm. This weaving technique also facilitates partial and selective integration of materials chosen for the specific application – no matter whether thick, thin, monofilament, multifilament, or even various materials. This allows mesh designs with electrodes, heating wires, memory-effect alloys, or even placeholders interwoven in certain sections, as is the case with the Mediamesh architecture system. These opportunities can be combined with the optimum application-specific weave type – single-layer or multilayer. With targeted control of the various material parameters, such as stretching, tensile strength, or Rp0.2 (yield strength), the high-tech looms create the high-performance meshes with secured reproducibility.
For the heavy process belts, the interaction of webs measuring up to 8 m wide and 170 m long, as well as the range of refinement options – coating, heat setting or drawing – also serves to underline the manufacturing expertise of GKD. In the field of process and architectural belts, this spectrum is also supplemented by complete in-house manufacture of spiral belts. Depending on the process, these are produced from flat or round wires. This means, for example, that metal spirals with innovative polymer filling allow usage-optimized air permeability rates to be established.
Owing to the wide range of weave types, material combinations, and production technology used, many opportunities arise. Perfectly matched physical properties, for example, improve abrasion resistance, electrical or heat conductivity, (high) temperature resistance, tensile strength, transverse stability, cleaning, tracking stability, as well as non-stick or traction effects. Thanks to their recyclability and durability, as well as their
cleaning resistance, metal meshes also comply with ever stricter
sustainability requirements.
The basis for this is the diverse portfolio of weavable materials made from metal, special alloys, polymer, and other non-metals such as ceramic or glass as wire, cable or fiber. Through application-specific material combinations, weave types, web technologies and refinements, GKD transforms mesh into a smart product, with a large range of potential applications.
The heavy weaving machines that were developed in-house can weave all materials either individually or as combinations and in all directions – i.e. both warp and weft. Up to 10 material components – both monofilament and multifilament, as well as fibers – can be processed to create innovative mesh designs. Glass hybrid belts, which combine a monofilament metal shell with multifilament fibers in the warp, or forming belts with metal fibers in the warp and monofilament polymer in the weft are good examples of this weaving expertise. The company process monofilaments made of polymer and metal as weft wires from 13 µm-5 mm. This weaving technique also facilitates partial and selective integration of materials chosen for the specific application – no matter whether thick, thin, monofilament, multifilament, or even various materials. This allows mesh designs with electrodes, heating wires, memory-effect alloys, or even placeholders interwoven in certain sections, as is the case with the Mediamesh architecture system. These opportunities can be combined with the optimum application-specific weave type – single-layer or multilayer. With targeted control of the various material parameters, such as stretching, tensile strength, or Rp0.2 (yield strength), the high-tech looms create the high-performance meshes with secured reproducibility.
For the heavy process belts, the interaction of webs measuring up to 8 m wide and 170 m long, as well as the range of refinement options – coating, heat setting or drawing – also serves to underline the manufacturing expertise of GKD. In the field of process and architectural belts, this spectrum is also supplemented by complete in-house manufacture of spiral belts. Depending on the process, these are produced from flat or round wires. This means, for example, that metal spirals with innovative polymer filling allow usage-optimized air permeability rates to be established.
Owing to the wide range of weave types, material combinations, and production technology used, many opportunities arise. Perfectly matched physical properties, for example, improve abrasion resistance, electrical or heat conductivity, (high) temperature resistance, tensile strength, transverse stability, cleaning, tracking stability, as well as non-stick or traction effects. Thanks to their recyclability and durability, as well as their
cleaning resistance, metal meshes also comply with ever stricter
sustainability requirements.