This clothing is similar in structure to the flexible types. However, it has more cloth layers (possibly also foamed material) and has hooks of wire with squared cross-sections without a knee, or of reinforced round wire with or without a knee. Compared with flexible clothing, it has the advantage that it does not choke with fiber and thus eliminate less flat strippings. In addition, it does not need sharpening as often as flexible clothing types. At least in respect to flat wires, it should be mentioned that each sharpening removes material from the tip so that the working surface becomes steadily broader and the aggressiveness of the clothing declines over time. This wire clothing without lateral sharpening can be re-sharpened only once or twice; with lateral sharpening up to four times.
Fig. 121 – Semi-rigid clothing
