Beyond the flat disc, most filtration jobs use one of a few three-dimensional forms: cylinders, caps, cartridges and strainer baskets. Picking the right form is as important as picking the right mesh — the form decides how much area you get, how the part seals, and how it is cleaned or replaced. Here is when to use each.
Filter cylinders and tubes
A rolled and welded mesh tube maximises filtration area in a compact housing. Cylinders suit inline liquid and gas filtration, pump inlets and central-core cartridges. Flow direction matters: it can run outside-in or inside-out, and the support layer must go on the high-pressure side so the mesh cannot collapse. Tell us the direction and we build the support accordingly. See the filter cylinders & tubes page.
Filter caps and end pieces
Caps close off a cylinder or protect an inlet. They are commonly spun or stamped from mesh and matched to the tube diameter. Specify whether the cap is open (flow-through) or closed (blanking), and the seam or seal it must mate with. More on filter caps.
Filter cartridges and elements
Cartridges combine mesh with end caps and often a rigid core into a drop-in element, ideal when the filter is replaced or cleaned as a unit. Sintered or multilayer media is common here for a stable rating and repeated backwashing — see woven vs. sintered and the filter cartridges page.
Strainer baskets
Baskets are deep, reinforced mesh forms that sit in a strainer housing to catch coarse debris in pipelines and tanks. They prioritise strength and open area over fine filtration, usually with a perforated-plate or heavy-wire support and a rigid rim and handle. See baskets & strainers.
Choosing the form
| Your need | Form |
|---|---|
| Maximum area in a small housing | Cylinder |
| Replaceable / cleanable unit | Cartridge |
| Coarse pipeline / tank protection | Strainer basket |
| Closing or protecting an opening | Cap |
What to put on your drawing
For any 3-D form, the details that speed up a correct quote are: housing bore and length, flow direction, target rating, sealing/seam requirement, and material grade. A drawing (PDF, DWG or DXF) or a sample is ideal; if you only have the housing and the duty, that is enough for us to start. We build every form to drawing — see Custom Solutions.
Send your housing dimensions, flow direction and rating and we will recommend the right form and build it to your drawing. Request a Quote →