twin-wire machine

Type of Fourdrinier papermaking machine, named after the family that sponsored its development in the early 1800s, that has two wires (fine mesh screening) instead of one, giving both sides of the paper a similar surface texture. The wires, which are made of nylon, bronze, or brass cloth, hold the paper pulp during the time that it is converted from groundwood (which consists of 99% water) to a continuous web (roll) of paper containing very little moisture. With single-wire machines, the paper produced has a somewhat rough wire side and a relatively smooth felt side. Twin-wire machines are most often used to produce newsprint. See also two-sidedness.