Africa
Afrik , also called palm fiber , is obtained from the leaves of a dwarf palm that grows in the African steppes and has always been used as a natural cushioning filler for molded upholstery in classic upholstery .
Manufacturing
As a vegetable filler, Africa is naturally smooth and inelastic. For upholstery, however, you need fillers that can be compressed and are elastic. To achieve these properties, the fan-like leaves are shredded, spun into strands and then twisted in a spiral. The spiral shape given to the stems is fixed with hot steam. These operations produce fillers with permanent crimps after the strands have been plucked (in so-called plucking machines).
properties
Afrik can be squeezed together with a greater or lesser degree of resistance and, due to its elasticity, returns completely or approximately to its original shape. In the case of fillers, this property is called filling power.
processing
During the upholstery work, the upholstery filler is only used when the piece of upholstery has already been laced and stitched over with a feather canvas. Now, 12-15 cm long glazing stitches are drawn on the tensioning line at a distance of 5 cm from the outer edges to hang the african. Each glaze stitch is filled in several steps. It is important to ensure that the filler is plucked well and pushed under the glazing stitches without holes or accumulations, so that an even layer of cushioning is created. A little more filler is applied to the front and middle seat area, i.e. the most heavily used areas. Afterwards, a layer of custom-made canvas is stapled over, sewn through in the middle and is ready for garnishing.
Plucked, loose Africa.
Africa spun as a strand.
Quick upholstery, the Africa has already been plucked and quilted with a layer of canvas.
