BOM Press Felt — Is It Worth the Premium?
Is a BOM press felt worth the premium?
It may be appropriate when the press position requires a stable base structure, controlled void volume and recovery under repeated loading. The decision must also account for batt design, surface requirement, conditioning, nip configuration and furnish.
Before changing the design, record:
- press position, nip arrangement and operating load;
- grade, basis weight, furnish, speed and width;
- inlet/outlet moisture and cross-machine profile;
- felt permeability, caliper, water handling and conditioning response;
- seam, edge wear, compaction and contamination;
- purchase price, tons produced, downtime and cost per ton.
Run a position-specific trial and compare equivalent production periods. A fixed service-life or payback claim cannot be transferred from another machine without matching conditions and traceable data.
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