CentraFlow™

The lastest in forming fabric innovation,

from AstenJohnson ... naturally!

Papermakers continue to face demands for improved paper product properties and reduced costs while continuing
to increase forming speeds incrementally or through rebuilds. AstenJohnson has developed a unique weaving
technique that allows the creation of a family of forming fabrics to help papermakers meet these challenges.

The new AstenJohnson machine direction integrated sheet

support weave pattern creates
an exceptional triple layer
forming fabric structure
with stability, yet low
caliper. Additionally, this weave pattern
forms an engineered drainage plane in the fabric to easily
handle the increasing forming speeds and resulting water flow rates. Our
drainage plane design allows the papermaker to add “Float Forming” to his tool box.

As machine speed increases and the configurations and impingement angles vary it becomes apparent that the
initial drainage pressure can approach those seen in the high vacuum zone of the machine. The magnitude of
the drainage pressure and water flow rates as speed increases needs to be managed; CentraFlow is the design
for the job.

The structure is what makes this product different – all the machine direction yarns integrate the structure
together. This integration of the yarns creates an engineered center plane with the necessary resistance to high
drainage pressure and flow volumes. The sheet is then formed gently (float forming) for better retention and
sheet properties.
EDP (engineered drainage planes) ties the development concepts
together by incorporating and harmonizing all leading edge fabric
performance knowledge to meet the papermaking challenges.

What do we mean by drainage planes?

• A Top Plane plain weave surface that maximizes the
existing, established fabric surface characterization
factors for papermaking sheet quality (% Drainage
area, Fiber Support Index, Frame Length).

• A Center Plane engineered to control impingement

pressures by having a Center Plane Resistance™ for
Float Forming™ in which the required resistance
to flow (back pressure) can be engineered to limit
fiber embedment.

• A bottom plane with the desired openness, keeping

in mind the stability and life potential needed on
high speed machines.

Top Surface = 27.1% drainage area

Center Plane = 15.2% drainage area

Bottom Surface = 28% drainage area

Some of the benefits for the paper makers are: Reduced retention aid usage and refining; improved sheet properties and
couch solids by better managing drainage and sheet consolidation through an innovative forming fabric structure.
 Case Study #1
One concern was that closing up the center plane would
retard drainage rather than enhance. These results
clearly show that is not the case. The float forming fabric
drains well through out the sheet consolidation process
resulting in higher solids.
This reinforces the long held concept that when a
sheet is formed on a fabric, the flow resistance of the
sheet quickly becomes the dominant consideration in
drainage. How the sheet is formed in relationship with
the fabric will influence the resulting drainage.

Sheet Consistency Profile

20

15
CentraFlow™

10

Standard SSB Triple Layer

Consistency (%)

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10

0
CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB

340 13.5

13.4
335
13.3
330
13.2

325 13.1
Filler Addition (#/ton)

13.0
320
Reel Ash (%)

12.9
315
12.8

310 12.7
CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB
 10
6
8
4
6

Case Study #2
2
4
0
CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB
2

20
0
CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB
340 13.5
The design
15 used were ESDL and the standard was a
CentraFlow™ 13.4
335
machine20(warp) tie SSB triple layer. 13.3
10 340 13.5
330
The trial15 objective was reached as illustrated on the 335
13.2
13.4
Standard SSB Triple Layer 325 13.1
(%) Consistency (%)

CentraFlow™ 13.3
top left, 5but the bigger gain was an increase in filler

Addition (#/ton)
330 13.0
320 13.2
10
retention0 (ash) with a dramatic decrease in filler usage.

Reel Ash (%)Reel Ash (%)

325 12.9
13.1

(#/ton)
315
Standard SSB Triple Layer 12.8
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13.0
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Filler Addition
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310 12.7

ns
Consistency

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Filler Usage vs. Formation

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Porosity vs. Fabric Design for Target
310 Sheet Ash EDSL 12.7
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Af

260 49
He

10 48
255
260 49
8 47
12
48
6 250 46
10 255
47
4 45
8

Filler (#/ton)Filler (#/ton)

245
250 46

Formation Formation
2 44
6
45
0 240
245 43
4 CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™
44
2
240 43
MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™
0
340 13.5
CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB
Filler335Retention 13.4 Porosity
10.8 vs. Refining Power 980

13.3 10.6
960
330
340 13.2
13.5 10.8
10.4 980

325 13.1
13.4 10.6
10.2 940
Filler Addition (#/ton)

335 960
13.0
13.3
320 10.4
10.0

(Kw) Power (Kw)

330 920
Reel Ash (%)

12.9
13.2 940
315 10.2
9.8
325 12.8
13.1 900

Refining
10.0
Porosity
Filler Addition (#/ton)

9.6 920
310 12.7
13.0
320 CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB 9.8 Refining Power
9.4 880
Reel Ash (%)

12.9 MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™ 900

Porosity

315 9.6
12.8

310 12.7 9.4 880

CentraFlow™ EDSL MD Tied SSB MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™
260 49

48
255
47
260 49
250 46
48
255 45
47
Filler (#/ton)

245
Formation

44
250 46
240 43
MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™ 45
Filler (#/ton)

245
Formation

44

240 43
MD Tied SSB CentraFlow™
10.8 980

10.6
960
10.4
10.8 980
940
10.2
10.6
10.0
ining Power (Kw)

960
920
10.4
9.8
10.2 940
900
osity

9.6
 Case Study #3
A Bel-Form machine producing copy paper at 1,000mpm
with virgin fibers set a new life record (79 days) with a
CentraFlow™-XL. The sheet formation improved through
substitution of the chemical retention with mechanical
retention and the Center Plane Resistance. Retention
aid was reduced by 30 % (a significant cost reduction)
while First Pass Retention increased from the 75-85%
range to 88-92% range.

Engineered Drainage Plane

Top Plane
Enhances sheet quality
(% drainage area, Fiber Support Index, frame length)
• Reduces fines loss
Center Plane Resistance • Increased first pass retention
Creates Float Forming - a «back pressure» resistance
to drainage that limits embedment and gently forms
• Improved sheet uniformity Cleaner
fabric on return run
Bottom Plane • Improved paper machine efficiencies
Provides desired openness plus needed stability
and life potential!!