A Method for Analyzing Basis Weight Profile in Recycled Paper Mills

摘要

Identifying and reducing sources of process variability levels can improve mill economics and customer commitment in the marketplace. Much variability is in plain sight, yet some operators don't have a clear sense of what to do about it. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how paper scanners — equipment on the floor of every operation - can reduce variability in both MD and CD machine profiles of basis weight, thereby lowering fiber costs and improving customer satisfaction and mill productivity. Creative methods were employed to solve both mill-wide and localized sources of basis weight variability, which are important to mill customers. CD scanner data is downloaded during brief trials to both study the cross-directional profile and to show profiles of individual plies. This approach helps identify plies negatively affecting the CD profile and develop approaches to rectify them individually while accessing any changes made quickly and accurately, again with the use of the scanner. This study focuses on the valuable insights gained by using paper machine scanners to examine cross-directional (CD) profiles on multi-ply sheets.