The spunlace drum is the core cylindrical carrier part of drum-type hydroentanglement equipment, widely recognized by factory workers as spunlace mesh drum. It supports fiber webs as the drum rotates, cooperating with multiple sets of high-pressure water jet heads and built-in vacuum negative pressure systems to complete fiber entanglement without adhesives. As a key consumable component on high-end spunlace production lines for wet wipes, medical surgical dressings and cosmetic cotton, its structural design and surface mesh material directly determine fabric surface texture, tensile strength, production stability and operating costs of the whole line. It differs fundamentally from flat mesh belts for flat hydroentanglement machines, enabling circular continuous processing to support high production speeds up to 350m/min. Custom patterned outer mesh can create embossed, dotted or striped textures on fabrics without extra post embossing procedures.
First, it carries and holds loose fiber webs firmly. Internal vacuum suction attaches fluffy webs closely to the cylindrical surface, effectively avoiding web deviation and floating at high operating speeds. Second, it reflects high-pressure water jets to strengthen fiber entanglement. Water pressure ranging from 30 to 260 bar penetrates fiber layers and hits the outer metal mesh; rebounded water flows interlace fibers twice, boosting machine and cross-direction strength, lowering energy consumption and fiber fly loss. Third, the connected vacuum system rapidly drains large volumes of water passing through the web, preventing webs from soaking, sagging or tearing. Fourth, it realizes fabric shaping and patterning when engraved nickel mesh is applied, producing decorative textured spunlace materials directly.
The whole drum features a standardized three-layer pressure-resistant composite structure from inside to outside. The inner layer is a thick seamless stainless steel perforated base drum with dense drainage holes. Every drum undergoes strict dynamic balance calibration to eliminate vibration during high-speed rotation, with matched transmission flanges and bearing seats for steady rotation. This rigid base bears long-term hydraulic impact and prevents outer mesh deformation. The middle layer is high-density stainless steel woven buffer mesh, which cushions sustained high-pressure water impact and avoids indentation or collapse of the outer working mesh, maintaining long-term flatness of the working surface.
The outer working mesh has two mainstream options. Premium nickel mesh boasts outstanding water reflection performance for efficient fiber entanglement, delivering soft finished fabrics with excellent dry and wet tensile strength. It supports pattern engraving for embossed spunlace products for medical and beauty industries. Economical stainless steel woven mesh resists acid and alkali corrosion, hardly traps residual fibers and allows convenient cleaning, ideal for mass production of pulp composite wet wipes. All mesh layers are tightly welded without bulges or burrs to stop fiber scratching and surface defects.
After cross-lapping, fluffy fiber webs are conveyed onto the rotating spunlace drum and secured by internal vacuum. Multiple groups of water jet heads installed around the drum eject tiny high-pressure water jets through the fiber web onto the outer mesh. Part of the water is instantly extracted by the built-in vacuum system, while the rest bounces back to the reverse side of the web. Bidirectional water flow pushes fibers to interweave and lock together tightly to form intact nonwovens without chemical binders. Continuous rotation allows webs to go through several hydroentanglement passes and exit as finished spunlace fabrics in one continuous process.
This spunlace drum fits single, double and multi-drum hydroentanglement lines with working widths of 1600mm to 7000mm. It manufactures disposable wet wipes, pulp cleaning cloths, medical dressings, cosmetic pads, disposable bed sheets, filter nonwovens and automotive interior textiles, compatible with viscose, polyester, cotton, wood pulp, lyocell and bamboo fiber. Its three-layer pressure-resistant construction withstands long-term high-pressure water impact for extended service life. Stable vacuum drainage ensures consistent fabric basis weight and even thickness. Nickel mesh improves entanglement efficiency to produce lint-free soft cloths. Customizable mesh count, open area and patterns enable differentiated finished products. The smooth low-adhesion mesh surface reduces fiber residue, simplifies daily cleaning and cuts production downtime effectively.