If there is a requirement for a continuous single length of compressed knitted wire mesh, with a fixed cross-sectional area and constant mesh density, the processing technique that is used is spiralling and milling.
The process consists of three main steps:
- One length of knitted wire mesh is twisted into a spiral
- This is then inserted into a second knitted wire sock (see diagram)
- This combined sock is then passed through a rolling mill to compress and shape to the required state.
By changing the type of knitted wire mesh used, and by adjusting the form and gap of the rollers, it is possible to produce a wide variety of milled mesh types.