Method of making a paper machine press belt

A method of making a belt for use in papermaking comprising the steps of:

• providing a smooth mandrel with a highly polished surface adapted to transmit a smooth inner surface to the belt;
• applying a first coat of a thermoset resin to the mandrel;
• drying the first coat of resin;
• grinding the first coat of resin to a predetermined uniform thickness;
• placing a shrinkable fabric sleeve onto the coated mandrel;
• shrinking the fabric sleeve onto the coated mandrel;
• applying a second coat of thermoset resin onto the fabric encapsulated coated mandrel;
• drying the second coat of resin;
• and
• removing the belt, comprising the layers of thermoset resin and fabric sleeve, from mandrel.

A method of making a belt for use in papermaking comprising the steps of:

• providing a smooth mandrel mounted on a shaft for rotation;
• rotating the mandrel about the shaft applying a first coat of liquid urethane thereto;
• drying the first coat of liquid urethane by providing a drying apparatus mirroring a portion of the mandrel circumference;
• grinding the dried first coat of urethane to a predetermined thickness;
• mounting a shrinkable woven fabic sleeve having threads in a machine direction and a cross machine direction to the mandrel;
• shrinking the fabric sleeve to contact the mandrel by rotating the mandrel while in thermal communication with the drying apparatus;
• applying a second coat of urethane resin to the fabric sleeve encapsulated first coat by rotating the mandrel, and using a wiping means to wipe away excess urethane so that the outer surface of the second coat extends to the radially outmost point of the fabric sleeve;
• drying the second coat by rotating the mandrel in thermal communication with the drying apparatus;
• and
• removing the belt, comprising the fabric sleeve encapsulated within the urethane coatings from the mandrel.