SIMPLIFIED THROUGH-AIR DRYING PAPER MAKING MACHINE HAVING A TWIN WIRE FORMING SECTION

A through-air drying paper making apparatus is provided comprising a twin- fabric forming section, a water-removing section arranged downstream of the forming section, and a web transfer device disposed between the forming section and the water-removing section. The forming section includes a formi ng roll, a pair of fabrics guided to travel about a portion of the circumferenc e of the forming roll, and a headbox operable to deposit a slurry between the fabrics so as to form a paper web therebetween. Preferably, one of the fabri cs in the forming section comprises a through-air drying (TAD) fabric arranged to carry the paper web through the water-removing section, while the other fabr ic comprises a forming wire. At the web transfer device, the paper web is separated from the forming wire and the paper web then carried on the TAD fabric through the water-removing section. The water-removing section includ es at least one through-air dryer for at least partially drying the paper web. Most preferably, the forming section and the web transfer device are arrange d such that the forming wire and the TAD fabric, with the paper web sandwiched therebetween, travel along a substantially straight and relatively short pat h between the forming roll and the web transfer device, thereby resulting in minimal directional change of the paper web after formation thereof about th e forming roll and prior to separation of the paper web from the forming wire. An associated method is also provided.