Knowledge

Strong fine filter cloth were the warp wires (long ones running parallel to the length) are thicker than the shute wires (short ones running across the width). There are fewer warp wires than shute wires. The shute wires actually touch each other and the opening through the mesh is not straight through (like regular plain weave mesh). The openings slant diagonally and are the little triangles where the shute wires run over and under the thicker warp wires.

The wire mesh is welded from a galvanized wire. This burns off the zinc coating at the weld and leaves a little dark mark at the weld. This material will start to rust at the welds if exposed to moisture. This product is usually less expensive than the GAW (see above).

An expanded metal term. Stands for long way diamond and is the opening of the long opening in expanded metal.

Commonly used to describe perforated metal hole spacing e.g. 1/4” dia holes x 3/8” staggered centres means the 1/4” dia holes are spaced 3/8” from the centre of one hole to the centre of the next hole. Determines the % open area i.e. the closer the holes are together the higher the % open area. When used to describe mesh, it is the distance from the centre of one wire to the centre of the next wire.

The percent open area in mesh and perforated relates to the amount of flow that will go through the mesh or perforated. The higher the percentage of open area, the more something will flow through the mesh or perforated. Another way to think about it is if a product has 40% open area, it means that 60% of that product is metal or solid. You can have mesh with small holes that has a larger percent open area than mesh with larger holes e.g. a 20 x 20 mesh x .016” dia wire has a .034” x .034” square clear opening with 46.2% open area and a 6 x 6 mesh x .062” dia wire has a .104” x .104” square clear opening (much larger holes) with a 38.9% open area (smaller open area).

Mathematically (for square mesh) it is mesh count squared multiplied by clear opening squared multiplied by 100 e.g. the percent opening of a 20 x 20 mesh x .016” dia wire is: 20^2 x .034^2 x 100 = 46.24% open area.

Weave mesh where wires simply run over and underneath each other.

The finished woven wire mesh edge (running down the length). The wires loop back into the mesh i.e. the shutes are one continuous wire.

In perforated metal staggered holes are offset and usually in a 60 degree pattern. Straight line centres are all in line with each other, like a Pegboard pattern.

The actual opening or spacing from wire to wire, usually noted in inches or millimeters. Mathematically (for square mesh) it is (1/mesh count) minus the wire diameter e.g. the opening of a 20 x 20 mesh x .016” dia wire is: (1/20) - .016” = .034” x .034” square opening.

Same as dutch weave but the shute wires go over 2 warp wires and then under 2 warp wires allowing there to be more wires within a given area for even greater strength.

The wire running through the loom parallel to the length of the roll (long wires).