Wire Screens
A wire screen is an open but protective barrier product made up of thin metal wires that have been woven into a criss-crossed horizontal and vertical pattern. Also known as a wire sieve, it is generally made to filter, shield and protect goods, materials and environmental elements within a variety of industries. These industries include: aerospace, automotive, chemical and petroleum, construction and architecture, food and beverage and industrial manufacturing, In both the aerospace and automotive industries, wire screen products are in nozzles and as oil filters and intake screens. Meanwhile, in chemical and petroleum, wire screen products are valued components of filtration systems, where they catch unwanted debris and media. Next, in construction and architecture, wire screens serve as window screens, wall panels and gratings. They keep all sorts of things out, from insects, to birds to human intruders. Window wire screens can also be used on a larger scale with screened-in porches. Also, in the United States, wire screens in doors, which allow fresh air into a house while still preventing the entrance of insects, are incredibly popular. In food and beverage, wire screen products include things like cooking strainers and flour sifters. Finally, in the industrial manufacturing industry, wire screen products often serve as vibrating screens, strainers and parts of filtration systems. Other prominent examples of wire screen products include: support grids, bend screens, extruder screens, wire netting, intake screens and resin traps.
To create a wire screen product, manufacturers weave or weld metal wires together. Note that these wires were formed through wire drawing, a process that takes metal wire and forces it through a die in order to stretch it out until it is the right diameter. To weave wire screens, manufacturers place the wires on a rectangular solid metal frame, which is like a loom, where they interlace the perpendicular in an over and under pattern. This pattern allows for the resulting wire screen to have some space in between where the interlocked wires meet and cross, while still retaining its ability to guard. The two most common methods of welding wire screens are metal inert gas (MIT) welding and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. During the first process, manufacturers melt and join wires together at intersections using electricity generated from a continuous wire feed. In addition, they use an inert gas that ensures that the weld is shielded from contamination of any kind. During TIG welding, manufacturers perform a very similar process, with the main difference being that, this time, they use a more complex electricity system. Instead of using only a continuous wire feed and an inert gas, they use a non-consumable electrode formed from tungsten, a shielding inert gas and, sometimes a filler material.
When deciding between weaving and welding, manufacturers consider a few things, namely the size of wires and the required strength of the intended screen. Weaving, for example, works the best with smaller gauge wires and applications that require less strength. While woven wire screens may unravel easily, welded wire screens are much tougher and can only be bent or broken through cutting. In addition, every type of wire screen, with its different gauges and weaves, different wire screen types are better suited some applications than others. An example of a typically thin gauged and/or fine wire screen product is the window screen. In contrast, an example of a thicker and/or stronger wire screen is fencing. When making a wire screen product, manufacturers are additionally able to choose from virtually any metal material or metal alloy. By and large, though, manufacturers make wire screen using aluminum, brass, copper, steel or stainless steel. Of these, the most commonly used is plain steel. However, for use with products that require sterility, such as food sieves or wire screen products used in the medical industry, manufacturers generally select stainless steel as their material source. This is because stainless steel can be cleaned easily and it does not readily rust, corrode or fall victim to other types of contamination or deterioration. To make decisions such as these, a manufacturer will consult with their client to learn about their specifications and requirements. If you are on the hunt for an experienced and reliable wire screen manufacturer, we here at IQS recommend that you scroll towards the top of this page and peruse the companies that we have listed there. We partner with several wire screen manufacturers and suppliers. All of them are seasoned and smart and produce only quality products. Learn about them today by browsing their respective websites or simply by reaching out with a phone call.
More Wire Screens Information
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Wire Screens - Universal Wire Cloth Company |
Wire Screens - Universal Wire Cloth Company |
Wire Screens Informational Video