Jim,

Fabric hoods should be a very workable alternative.  The idea of a rapid roll-up system like has been used for weather enclosures in such things as rail car unloading facilities should be very applicable.  If damaged, replacement could be quick and cheap.

Taken to the extreme, what about a 2-layer hood fabric designed to be inflated to come to the proper shape for the hood and to give clearance to the machine.  Framing needed for support would be minimal, needing only to support the weight of the fabric when the inflation air is removed so the hood could be folded to provide total access to a section of the machine.  The roof over the Hubert Humphrey Dome is an example of this kind of system.  There are several more of these systems used as football practice field covers and such.

Good idea.

Ed Turner

Camden, North Carolina

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Jim,

The main issue I would have with fabric hoods would be insulation value and whether we would need to increase hood exhaust flows to prevent sweating and condensation within the hood. A good closed, insulated hood requires much less air flow than an open hood. I'm afraid a fabric hood would head us back in the other direction.

Best regards,

Jeff Reese

International Paper