The
Vatman
The vatman drops a mesh-backed mould into the vat, scooping
up sufficient mixture to achieve the weight of paper required.
The Four-way Stroke
As the mould is drawn upwards, excess water
passes through the mesh. It is at this stage that the vatman
delivers a four-way stroke. This rapid lateral movement
distributes the fibres evenly across the mesh.The fibres
knit together in a dimensionally stable pattern. It is this
interweaving of fibres that creates a strong paper.
The Handover
His good work done, the vatman passes the fully laden mould
over to the coucher.
