Brush Selection

Spiral Rollers

Filament Diameter and Length of Trim and Pitch determine the operating characteristics of the brush rollers. If the brush is required to clear away loose material, an open pitch is advantageous. If the material does not brush off easily, stiffer brushing is called for either by shorter trim length (which stiffens the brush exponentially), thicker filament or closer pitch, right up to the close wound, the choice being indicated by the material and the process.

Loose Coil brush spirals are available for customers to fix on site or for OEMs with variable needs to brush length, eg, fruit rollers, food processing units, etc.

Straight Strip Brushes

Strip Brushes as shown in Fig 1, are made by filling a metal channel continuously with fibres as required. A centre retaining wire locks the fibres when the channel is closed.
For the most rigorous demands, we manufacture "tanged" strip in which the wire is locked, and the fibres prevented from moving, by tangs punched in the strip.

To specify strip brushes correctly, use the measurements as shown. W  = Width of back OH = Overall height T = Trim = working height of filament L = Length (in the case of straight strip) Fill includes natural and synthetic fibres and wires.

Strip Brush is made to order,so that virtually the full range of material options is available. As can been seen from Fig 2, which shows a typical layout of one of our machines, changes of each brush component are possible, but not necessarily all combinations.

Basic sizes are 4mm, 8mm and 12mm wide, for which machines are normally set up. Tooling is available to produce 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14mm.
The machines are most economical for long, continuous runs. Production of as little as 1 metre is possible but the costs for setup, adjustment and handling will be reflected in the price. Straight strip is supplied cut-to-length from approximately 100mm upwards, to maximum shipping length 4-6 metres.

Thompson Brushes operates a number of these machines, purpose built to favour different ranges of strip size.

Strip Brush has widespread applications in Straight Strip for sealing doorways and openings against draughts, dust, spray, insects, birds, etc with full flexibility.

It is used for Conveyor Guides and similar applications requiring gentle direction of sensitive products. In other cases, it can be strong and resistant to impact in redirecting conveyor loads, freight, etc.

Mounting Adaptors are available for fixing straight strip. For 4mm & 8mm strip, these aluminium extrusions provide a screwing flange which is readily drilled as required. For welded mounting of 12mm strip, 14mm channels are available in either Galvanised or Stainless Steel. Short sections of these adaptors are often suitable for shaped strip. Custom-made fixing adaptors are designed and produced for special purposes.

Special Shapes Brushes

In addition, the flexibility of strip for manipulating continuous shapes answers a wide range of technical needs. Special Shapes can be formed in the factory, to such requirements as:

    Special flat circles
    Flared and vertical circles
    Internal circles and spirals
    Semi-spiral conveyor lags
    Heavy duty industrial brooms (Thompson Maxikleen)