Wedge Wire Screens

Wedge wire vs perforated vs woven — when is wedge wire right?

Wedge wire excels where continuous slot, high open area, mechanical strength and non-clogging surface matter — wells, intake bays, centrifuge screens and some food processes. Perforated plate suits thicker support and impact duty; woven mesh suits fine rated filtration and flexible forms. If your search intent is slot screen or Johnson screen, wedge wire is usually the correct category.

Johnson-type screens for water wells often specify slot size in inches or millimeters plus minimum open area — we confirm wrap wire and rod spacing against your pump intake and gravel pack design when those details are available.

How do I specify slot width and open area?

Slot width is the distance between adjacent profile wires; it defines particle passage differently from square mesh aperture. Provide required retention, fluid viscosity, allowable bypass and whether rating is nominal. Support rod spacing and wrap wire size affect strength and open area — confirmed on drawing review.

Flat panels for centrifuge or static sieves need support frame or bolt pattern on the drawing; unsupported large panels may require thicker profile wire or additional rods.

Cylinder, panel and lateral geometries

Well screens and industrial laterals are cylindrical with threaded or welded ends; flat panels suit static sieves and custom housings. Length, diameter, end cap type and connection thread must match the housing or well completion design — send complete assembly drawings where available.

Slot orientation relative to flow affects blinding in pulp and starch duty — note whether the screen is cleaned mechanically or chemically. Viscous food products may need wider slot at same nominal rating to maintain throughput.

Materials for corrosion and abrasion

SS304 and SS316L cover many water and mild chemical duties; higher alloys for aggressive streams. Abrasive slurries may require heavier profile wire — describe solids content and cleaning method.

Threaded end connections must state thread standard (NPT, BSP, metric) and engagement length. Welded flanges require flange rating, bolt circle and facing type — send complete flange detail, not only cylinder length.

What should I send for an accurate wedge wire quotation?

Slot width, diameter, length, end connection, alloy, quantity and drawing or sample. Note installation environment and required documents.

Screen sections for multi-stage well completions may ship in halves with coupling sleeves — note field assembly access and whether split screens are acceptable.

MOQ, welding and field installation notes

MOQ depends on diameter, length, slot size and end machining — confirmed per quote. Welding to existing housings or flanges is quoted from drawing; field replacement may need split-sleeve designs — note installation access.

Compare with Perforated & Expanded Metal when duty is primarily support or coarse passage without profile wire economics. Wedge wire screen pipe family products are listed in the product range section below.

Related products and next steps

See wedge wire screen family products below for pipe and panel starting points. Compare Perforated & Expanded Metal when duty is support-heavy without profile-wire economics. Well and industrial laterals with non-standard couplings are quoted from drawing through Custom Fabrication. Application pages linked in the industry browse section show typical slot sizes and alloys by duty — cross-check before you send slot width, diameter, length and end connection on your RFQ.

For well completions, note gravel pack design, pump intake clearance and whether the screen ships in one piece or field-coupled sections. Industrial flat panels may need frame weldments or bolt patterns on the same drawing as the screen blank — quote as assembly when the housing is not yet on site. Slot tolerance tighter than typical catalog may require first-article measurement before batch release.