Ultrasonic seaming of abutting strips for paper machine clothing

A method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric comprising the steps of:

• a) manufacturing a woven fabric strip from lengthwise and crosswise yarns, said woven fabric strip having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a preselected width measured thereacross between said first and second lateral edges defining a woven fabric strip body, said woven fabric strip further having a first lateral fringe along and extending beyond said first lateral edge, said first lateral fringe being ends of said crosswise yarns;
• b) spirally winding said fabric strip in a plurality of turns wherein said first lateral edge in a turn of said woven fabric strip body abuts against said second lateral edge of an adjacent turn of said woven fabric strip body, whereby said first lateral fringe in a turn of said woven fabric strip overlies or underlies said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof, thereby forming a spirally continuous seam separating adjacent turns of said woven fabric strip;
• c) providing an ultrasonic welding apparatus having a horn for delivering ultrasonic energy to said spirally continuous seam;
• d) providing an anvil against which said horn may compress a portion of said spirally continuous seam;
• e) compressing said portion of said spirally continuous seam between said horn and said anvil;
• f) activating said horn to deliver ultrasonic energy to said portion of said spirally continuous seam;
• and
• g) moving said spirally continuous seam longitudinally relative to said horn and said anvil to close said spirally continuous seam by bonding said first lateral fringe to said woven fabric strip in an adjacent turn thereof.