Beam
Beam turns up in 2 fields: nonwovens, mechanical. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Beam in nonwovens
Line talk for one spinning or meltblown station across the width of a spunmelt line.
Each beam is a complete extrusion and forming unit, with its own extruder, spin pack or die and quench or air system, laying one layer onto the moving belt. Lines are described by their beam sequence, so an SSMMS line has five beams. Crews talk through the beams one by one when hunting a defect, because each beam leaves its own signature in the fabric.
"Drips are coming from beam two, the first spunbond beam is clean."
Beam in mechanical
A heavy oscillating lever used in early engines to transmit motion from a vertical piston to a rotating crank.
A massive, pivoting lever mounted on a central fulcrum, traditionally used in large stationary engines to transfer power. One end connects to the vertical piston rod while the other drives a pump rod or a connecting rod linked to a flywheel crank. This arrangement converts the reciprocating motion of the cylinder into rotary motion or vertical pumping action.
"Check the main bearings on the beam; there was a heavy knocking sound on the upstroke."