An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A
long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two
combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a
first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively,
from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from
the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering
point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the
second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering
point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second
conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering
point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web,
with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web
product.