GKD’s Weaving Technology Makes it Possible to Weave in LED Strips as in the Mediamesh Architectural System. © GKD/ Immotion
Proven practical examples form the basis for discussion.
By GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG
At the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, Techtextil, GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG (GKD) will be demonstrating the huge versatility of technological applications for mesh designs made of and with metal.
GKD is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance meshes developed for specific applications in industry, process belts, and architecture.
At the trade fair in Frankfurt, the company will be focusing on displaying the potential of customized smart products made of metal and hybrid meshes. Their all-around consulting, development and manufacturing expertise makes the weave experts the ideal contact for pioneering solutions. From May 14 to 17, specialists from Development, Sales, and Process Technology will be available to discuss tasks you have in the pipeline and promising implementation ideas at Stand D79 in Hall 3.1.
By Precisely Combining Materials and Selecting the Weave Type and Technique, GKD Gives the Basic Structure Smart Factors that Go Far Beyond the Performance Spectrum of a Mormal Mesh. © GKD
New fields of application and increasing requirements for products or processes require high-performance alternatives to existing solutions. With an unparalleled range of weavable materials and material combinations as well as proprietary high-end looms, GKD offers previously unheard of solutions to these challenges.
Generally, GKD combines a basic metal structure with any industrially weavable material to suit the specific application. Whether metal, special alloys or non-metals such as a polymer, ceramic, or glass, whether as a cable, wire, or fiber: by precisely combining materials and selecting the weave type and technique, GKD gives the basic structure smart factors that go far beyond the performance spectrum of a normal mesh.
This is largely thanks to the metallic components, which provide many sought-after properties compared to the polymer. For instance, abrasion resistance, electrical or thermal conductivity, shielding of electrical fields, tensile strength, resistance to high temperatures, safety buffers due to improved mechanical stability, or drape ability can be precisely combined and calibrated.
What’s more, stainless steel mesh is UV-resistant and meets sustainability requirements such as recyclability, durability, resistance to cleaning, and offers fire retardant properties.
By Precisely Combining Materials and Selecting the Weave Type and Technique, GKD Gives the Basic Structure Smart Factors that Go Far Beyond the Performance Spectrum of a Mormal Mesh. © GKD
Nothing is Impossible
GKD weaves every material on its own or in combination and in all directions – in the warp as well as in the weft. Up to ten material components can be combined in this way – monofilaments and multifilaments as well as fibers. To achieve this, the state-of-the-art looms possess up to three warp systems.
In the weft, GKD processes monofilaments made of polymer or metal with controlled feed in wire diameters ranging from 13 micrometers to five millimeters – a spectrum that is found nowhere else on the market. This weaving technique makes it possible to weave in thick, thin, or even different materials tailored partially and selectively to the specific customer requirement.
By Precisely Combining Materials and Selecting the Weave Type and Technique, GKD Gives the Basic Structure Smart Factors that Go Far Beyond the Performance Spectrum of a Mormal Mesh. © GKD
For example, electrodes can be woven in at defined intervals, heating wires inserted for sectional heating, or LED strips incorporated as in the Mediamesh architectural system. GKD selects just the right weave type for the application: single-ply, multi-ply, three-dimensional or multifunctional weave systems that unite electronics, sensors, and other properties.
What makes these smart solutions possible is the machine technology developed in-house that enables even materials with different material parameters, such as distension, tensile strength, or Rp0.2 (yield point), to be processed.
By Precisely Combining Materials and Selecting the Weave Type and Technique, GKD Gives the Basic Structure Smart Factors that Go Far Beyond the Performance Spectrum of a Mormal Mesh. © GKD
Pioneering Designs
With its masterful management of weave types, material combinations, and machine technology, GKD opens up virtually unlimited possibilities for innovative processes or products to developers, product designers, or researchers.
Be it diagnostics, monitoring aggregate states, shifting performance limits or substituting finite materials or common coatings: drawing on a variety of proven solutions, GKD will be presenting what woven metal designs are capable of at Techtextil.
Smart Mesh Designs Such as Glass Hybrid Belts are Good Examples of GKD’s Weaving Expertise. © GKD
Here are just a few examples of what’s in store: inductive battery charging, shape memory alloys in lightweight construction, and the integration of shielding components in composite materials.
Its sheer scope as a solution provider makes the owner-run SME a sought-after contact not only at Techtextil, but also a popular partner in numerous research projects when it comes to combining the physical properties of different materials in a mesh.
© GKD
About the Contributor
As a privately owned technical weaver, GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG is a market leader in metal, synthetic and spiral mesh solutions. Four independent business divisions bundle their expertise under one roof: Industrial Mesh (woven metal mesh and filter solutions), Process Belts (belts made of mesh and spirals), Architectural meshes (façades, safety and interior design made of metal fabrics) and Mediamesh® (Transparent media façades). GKD has its headquarter in Germany and five other facilities are in the US, South Africa, China, India, and Chile – with branches in France, Spain, Dubai and worldwide representatives.
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