Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine. Also provided is a variable frequency assembly comprising a combination of dewatering elements such as one or more foil elements and table rolls, a multi-surfaced foil element, and/or an adjustable angle foil element.

Abstract: A supporting and wiping device is assigned to the machine wire in a paper-making system. The supporting and wiping device has supporting and wiping strips firmly held on a carrying frame or the like and extending transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the machine wire. The carrying frame has two carrying beams aligned parallel to the supporting and wiping strips and two-part transverse webs arranged between said beams and capable of being fixed to the latter, on the one hand the transverse webs and on the other hand the supporting and wiping strips being formed with mutually associated recesses and projections, by way of which the transverse webs and the supporting and wiping strips can be connected to one another and clamped by displacing the two parts of the transverse webs with respect to each other.

Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine. Also provided is a variable frequency assembly comprising a combination of dewatering elements such as one or more foil elements and table rolls, a multi-surfaced foil element, and/or an adjustable angle foil element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving the properties of a fiber web. The properties that require a stronger fiber orientation transversely to the direction of wire travel are improved without essentially detrimentally affecting those properties that profit from a stronger relative motion between the fibrous suspension and the at least one wire of the sheet formation device. A fiber material web that is formed from the fibrous suspension is carried by at least one wire over a multitude of wire guiding and dewatering elements creating cross flows in the fiber suspension relative to the direction of wire travel, in order to achieve better web properties and higher transverse strength. These elements initiates hydrodynamic impulses in the fibrous suspension that are effective transversely to the direction of wire travel and that cause the aforementioned stronger fiber orientation.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a loading device for the dewatering a web-forming wire, which supports and/or loads the wire of a paper machine and scrapes water from the wire surface. The loading device is loaded by a pressure medium and includes a movable loading member and a fixed base member. The loading member includes a longitudinal groove which extends the length of the loading member and the base member includes a slide rail adapted to be received in the longitudinal groove for supporting the loading member. In order to eliminate jamming phenomenon of the loading member, the loading member is supported evenly in its position in a cross machine direction and it is adapted to move towards the wire and away from the wire with aid of rollers arranged between the slide rail and the internal walls of the loading member which define the longitudinal groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to a twin wire former for the production of a fiber web specifically a paper, cardboard or tissue web, from a fiber suspension. The invention is characterized in that the rotating forming roll has an open volume and is a non-suction type; the rotating forming roll has a forming roll diameter of less than 1,400 mm; the rotating forming roll has a forming roll angle of wrap of less than 70°; a forming suction box is located immediately downstream from the rotating forming roll as viewed in direction of wire travel; and in the area of the wedge-shaped inlet nip, the fiber stock suspension has a stock density of between 0.4% and 2.0%, preferably between 0.6% and 1.5%. These characteristics result in an improved forming quality and web quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring vibrational forces to a wire of a papermaking machine for forming a web on the wire and for dampening vibrations imparted to the papermaking machine. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a vibrational device including a vibrational device frame, a vibration isolator coupled to the vibrational device frame to dampen vibration transmission to the papermaking machine, a vibration-inducing mechanism coupled to the vibrational device frame and operable to generate a vibration having a frequency and positioned laterally with respect to the vibration isolator in the cross-machine direction, and a vibrational head coupled to the vibration-inducing mechanism and directly contacting the wire to impart vibration to the wire.

Abstract: A wear component in a laminar structure, particularly one of a drainage strip, a deflector, a foil or a suction strip in a paper or a cardboard machine, where on at least one of its partial surfaces a medium that causes wear, in particular a fluid or a material web, such as machine clothing in the form of a sieve or a felt in the machine is applied. The wear component including a beam part being made of at least one of plastic, high-grade steel, copper, nickel, aluminum, zinc, and/or an alloy of the foregoing. The wear component also including an infeed area with an infeed angle &bgr; for the medium of less than 90° and at least one low-wear layer on at least one of the partial surfaces. The low-wear layer being made of a material from a class of self-fluxing alloys. The low-wear layer being at least partially thermally re-melted.

Abstract: The present invention is a machine for manufacturing a fibrous web from a fibrous suspension, with a sheet forming area that exhibits at least one suction box, which includes a main box with at least one suction box cover that is formed from at least two drainage elements that run laterally to the machine's running direction, border a suction slit, and each has one main body and at least one ceramic. The present invention is identified by the fact that at least one drainage element and/or one format slide exhibit at least one removable edge piece in which is integrated at least one temperature sensor in order to measure the temperature in the ceramic and/or the temperature at an adhesive point between the ceramic and the associated main body and/or the temperature in the main body. The present invention is furthermore a process and a system for monitoring a drainage element.

Abstract: The arrangement is for use within a machine for at least one of making and processing at least one of paper, cardboard and tissue. The arrangement includes a first unit, a support piece and at least one clamping device. A first unit has a shaped part together with a wear part, the shaped part having a part underside. The part underside has an underside length, the shaped part displaying a part contour upon the part underside along substantially all of the underside length. A support piece interlocks with the shaped part, the support piece having a support piece top and a corresponding top length. The support piece has a piece contour upon the support piece top along substantially all of the top length, the piece contour being substantially complimentary to the part contour. At least one clamping device is operatively positioned relative to both the part contour and the piece contour.

Abstract: An apparatus for a paper-making installation with at least one wire supports the wire wipes off the water emerging from the paper pulp or paper web on the wire and passing through the wire. The apparatus is formed with a plurality of supporting and wiping elements of ceramic material located at intervals from one another in the direction of movement of the wire. The upper surfaces of the elements come into contact with the wire. A large number of supporting and wiping elements is provided, and they are located in a plurality of rows that extend over the width of the wire. Each row has a plurality of elements.

Abstract: An adjustable resilient blade support for use in the forming section of a papermaking machine. The blade support is adjustable, both to allow the attached blade to be moved from a position where it is out of contact to a position where it is pressed into contact with the adjacent forming fabric, and to permit adjustment of the blade orientation relative to the surface of the forming fabric. The blade support is also resilient, and thus allows the blade to respond to transient localized changes in the path of the forming fabric with which it is in contact. The adjustable resilient blade support of this invention is thus of use in an open surface forming section, and also is of use in forming sections in which two forming fabrics are used.

Abstract: A forming board for a papermaking machine includes: a support; a transversely-extending lead blade attached to the support, the lead blade; a plurality of transversely-extending trailing blades; a mounting unit for each of the plurality of trailing blades, the mounting unit being attached to a respective trailing blade and to the support such that the upper surfaces of the lead blade and the trailing blades are substantially coplanar and such that gaps are defined between the trailing edges and leading edges of adjacent blades, the gaps being of substantially uniform width; and a drive unit attached to the mounting unit and to the support, the drive unit being configured to drive the trailing blades simultaneously to different longitudinal positions relative to the support, wherein the gap widths vary but remain substantially uniform.

Abstract: A wire foil for a paper production installation has a supporting strip and plates fixed to the latter. The plates are mutually adjoining ceramic plates. The supporting strip and the plates of ceramic material are formed, on the mutually contacting surfaces, with mutually facing recesses, in which connecting elements are anchored. The connecting elements are fixed in the recesses in the plates of ceramic material by a form fit, and plates located beside one another are fixed to the supporting strip by at least one common connecting element extending over the joint.

Abstract: A twin-wire former in a paper machine has two forming wire loops (10, 20), which define between themselves a twin-wire zone. At least one dewatering box (30) is located inside one of the wire loops (10, 20) to remove water through the wire from a web (W) being formed. At least one loading blade (40) is located opposite the dewatering box (30) inside the other wire loop (20; 10) in contact with the other wire. The dewatering box (30) includes at least three successive dewatering zones (30a, 30b) in which every second zone (30a) has a vacuum (p) and every second zone (30b) is vacuum-free. The at least one loading blade (40) is placed inside one of the wire loops (20; 10) at a location where it is opposed by a respective vacuum-free zone (30b), which is preceded and followed by a vacuum zone (30a).

Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine. Also provided is a variable frequency assembly comprising a combination of dewatering elements such as one or more foil elements and table rolls, a multi-surfaced foil element, and/or an adjustable angle foil element.

Abstract: A forming board for a papermaking machine includes: a support; a transversely-extending lead blade attached to the support, the lead blade; a plurality of transversely-extending trailing blades; a mounting unit for each of the plurality of trailing blades, the mounting unit being attached to a respective trailing blade and to the support such that the upper surfaces of the lead blade and the trailing blades are substantially coplanar and such that gaps are defined between the trailing edges and leading edges of adjacent blades, the gaps being of substantially uniform width; and a drive unit attached to the mounting unit and to the support, the drive unit being configured to drive the trailing blades simultaneously to different longitudinal positions relative to the support, wherein the gap widths vary but remain substantially uniform.

Abstract: A fabric support element for a papermaking machine has improved fluid drainage means, comprising openings which can include flow-through vents. The element can comprise an impingement shoe for a forming section of a papermaking machine. The openings can be defined by a plurality of laminar segments, at least some of which define a paper side surface of the element, and which segments can be spaced apart by additional laminar segments or other spacing means. Laminar segments for use in the element, a method of constructing the element, and a papermaking machine, or a forming section thereof, including the element are also provided.

Abstract: Suction box in a paper machine including a vacuum chamber, a deck or a number of substantially U-section holders open toward a wire and ribs arranged in the deck or the holders so that they can be loaded against the wire. At least in a running situation, the deck of the suction box is curved or the ribs are arranged to provide a curve run of the wire so that the wire tension of the curved run over the deck or ribs serves to lower a normal force which is produced by the vacuum present in the suction box and which is effective between the wire and the deck or ribs.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the wiper strip on the screen in a papermaking plant regulates the contact pressure with which the wiper strip bears on the screen. The wiper strip is fixed to a supporting bar and the supporting bar is configured such that it can be moved with respect to the screen counter to the action of a spring device, in particular an air spring, in order to adjust its position with respect to the screen. A plurality of holding bars are provided along the supporting bar, that can be adjusted in terms of their effective thickness in relation to pressing the wiper strip against the screen.

Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine. Also provided is a variable frequency assembly comprising a combination of dewatering elements such as one or more foil elements and table rolls, a multi-surfaced foil element, and/or an adjustable angle foil element.

Abstract: A reversible foil blade for a papermaking machine providing for a plurality of activity zones wherein the drainage and sheet activity characteristics of the blade can be independently and separately predetermined, established, and controlled. The shape of the foil blade is designed to provide both leading and trailing edges that each form an angle less than 90° with the horizontal, the paper sheet and conveying forming fabric, thereby providing different drainage and sheet activity characteristics when the blade is reversed and installed in a reverse orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a paper or cardboard web from a fibrous suspension, said apparatus having a double wire section consisting of a first wire loop formed by a first wire (v1), a second wire loop formed by a second wire (v2) and at least one headbox, from which headbox the fibrous suspension can be fed into the space between the wire loops, said first wire loop being provided with a dewatering box placed above the wire and arranged to drain water from the fibrous suspension between the wire loops via the bottom of the dewatering box and through the first wire, said apparatus having two successive dewatering zones (L0, L1-Li) provided in the area of the dewatering box, where the direction of web movement in the area of the first dewatering zone is away from the dewatering box and the runs of each wire loop are substantially straight while in the area of the second dewatering zone the direction of web movement is towards the dewatering box and water drainage from the fibrous suspension is arranged to take

Abstract: A dewatering member for a paper or board machine has a composite body (13) and a hard surface layer (12). The composite body (13) is manufactured in a pultrusion process. An adhesion layer (11) is formed on desired outer surfaces of the composite body (13) such that reinforcements passed to the adhesion layer (11) have been passed to the pultrusion process through a separate resin bath, to which an adhesion improving agent has been added such that the hard surface layer (12) can be applied directly onto it, and reinforcements forming the inner portion of the composite body (13) have been passed to the pultrusion process through a second resin bath. The composite body (13) is coated with a hard coating layer (12) produced by thermal spraying, and the coating (12) is ground.

Abstract: A wire section in a machine for the production of a fiber web including at least one twin wire former including a revolving continuous inner wire and a revolving continuous outer wire that converge in the area of a forming roll. After the forming roll, viewed in the direction of web travel, and inside the loop of the inner wire and inside the loop of the outer wire at least one additional strip element is located.

Abstract: A hydrofoil blade having a top surface with a leading edge in contact with a forming fabric and a trailing edge, and a leading side surface disposed transversely to the direction of movement of said fabric upstream of and generally at an acute angle to the top surface thereby draining water from the stock. A plurality of slots extend at an acute angle from the leading side surface to a point between the leading and trailing edges on the top surface to force a portion of the drained water back into the stock, whereby any flocs formed in the stock are dispersed in the transversal shear generated by the drained water.

Abstract: A paper former comprises two wires which converge for defining a paper production gap and a plurality of dewatering blades arranged in the paper production gap in a paper producing direction and brought into sliding contact with one of the two wires so that a stock is dehydrated while being conveyed in a state put in the paper production gap. Each of the plurality of dewatering blades is shaped into a convexly curved surface configuration bent along a traveling direction of the wires and equipped with a wire sliding contact surface brought into sliding contact with said wire for guiding the traveling of said wire, and grooves are made in said wire sliding contact surfaces as a moisture run-off opening for running off moisture developing through the dewatering from the wire side. This paper former thus constructed can suppress the occurrence of paper defects stemming from the landing of a material jet or paper defects stemming from the dewatering property, thus improving the paper quality.

Abstract: A process, and an apparatus, for improving sheet properties in the initial impingement zone of a paper making machine including a forming section, a forming fabric moving in the machine direction and a head box having a head box slice which delivers a stock jet onto the moving forming fabric. The scale and intensity of agitation within the stock is adjusted by adjusting some of the support elements beneath the forming fabric adjacent the head box slice so that they either contact, or do not contact, the machine side surface of the forming fabric and observing the effect, if any, that the adjustment has on the quality of the sheet product being made on the paper making machine. This technique is of use in a papermaking machine forming section having a single open surface forming fabric, in the initial open surface section of a so-called hybrid gap former having two superposed forming fabrics, and in the forming section of a two fabric papermaking machine.

Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to condition the paper fiber stock of a wet paper web for enhanced dewatering and formation with an acoustic foil assembly used for removing water and redistributing fibers. A plane ultrasonic wave field is employed for interacting with water suspended pulp and paper fiber stock using acoustic techniques to subject particulate suspensions. The continuous process employees a piezoelectric ceramic transducer to selectively deflect flowing paper fiber stock as they penetrate the ultrasonic field. Depending upon the amount of dissolved gas in water, conditioning is obtained using a traveling wave field to improve paper properties for increased productivity and formation quality with headbox components having hydrodynamic optimization for paper and board forming.

Abstract: Papermaking apparatus is disclosed having variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying paper stock and are adjustable to vary their operating characteristics. A variable pulse turbulation blade with an adjustable in-going angle is provided with a cam-operated adjustment device that maintains the blade height constant while adjusting the in-going angle to prevent fiber clumps and to provide the paper sheet with a more uniform consistency. The turbulation blade may have a plurality of flats disposed at different angles or multiple radii on its leading portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a twin wire former for the production of a fiber web specifically a paper, cardboard or tissue web, from a fiber suspension.

Abstract: A twin-wire former in a paper machine has two forming wire loops (10, 20), which define between themselves a twin-wire zone. At least one dewatering box (30) is located inside one of the wire loops (10, 20) to remove water through the wire from a web (W) being formed. At least one loading blade (40) is located opposite the dewatering box (30) inside the other wire loop (20; 10) in contact with the other wire. The dewatering box (30) includes at least three successive dewatering zones (30a, 30b) in which every second zone (30a) has a vacuum (p) and every second zone (30b) is vacuum-free. The at least one loading blade (40) is placed inside one of the wire loops (20; 10) at a location where it is opposed by a respective vacuum-free zone (30b), which is preceded and followed by a vacuum zone (30a).

Abstract: A variable frequency foil (VFF) box assembly and mechanisms for moving individual foils/foil beams and individual foil beam sets relative to each other to adjust the frequency of a paper making machine, and method of use are provided. The VFF box assembly allows for continuously and uniformly adjusting the pitch distances of individual foils within foil sets over a finite range, and also adjusting the distance between foil sets during the continuous operation of a paper making machine.

Abstract: A hydrofoil blade having a top surface with a leading edge in contact with a forming fabric and a trailing edge, and a leading side surface disposed transversely to the direction of movement of said fabric upstream of and generally at an acute angle to the top surface thereby draining water from the stock. A plurality of slots extend at an acute angle from the leading side surface to a point between the leading and trailing edges on the top surface to force a portion of the drained water back into the stock, whereby any flocs formed in the stock are dispersed in the transversal shear generated by the drained water.

Abstract: Device for conditioning, cleaning, and/or keeping clean at least one of a rotating roll and a circulating belt of a paper machine. The device includes at least two doctors arranged behind one another in a roll and/or belt travel direction and spaced at a distance from one another. The at least two doctors are assigned to the at least one of the rotating roll and the circulating belt.

Abstract: The arrangement is for use within a machine for at least one of making and processing at least one of paper, cardboard and tissue. The arrangement includes a first unit, a support piece and at least one clamping device. A first unit has a shaped part together with a wear part, the shaped part having a part underside. The part underside has an underside length, the shaped part displaying a part contour upon the part underside along substantially all of the underside length. A support piece interlocks with the shaped part, the support piece having a support piece top and a corresponding top length. The support piece has a piece contour upon the support piece top along substantially all of the top length, the piece contour being substantially complimentary to the part contour. At least one clamping device is operatively positioned relative to both the part contour and the piece contour.

Abstract: Papermaking apparatus is disclosed having variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying paper stock and are adjustable to vary their operating characteristics. A variable pulse turbulation blade with an adjustable in-going angle is provided with a cam-operated adjustment device that maintains the blade height constant while adjusting the in-going angle to prevent fiber clumps and to provide the paper sheet with a more uniform consistency. The turbulation blade may have a plurality of flats disposed at different angles or multiple radii on its leading portion.

Abstract: Machine equipment in a paper or board machine comprising at least one wear ledge for contact with a clothing, and a support body for the wear ledge and a device for mounting the wear ledge to its support body. In accordance with the invention, the mounting device has a locking bar arranged in a groove in the wear ledge, and a cavity is formed in the support body and contains a press bar. The support body defines a plurality of holes extending from the cavity and open toward the groove in the wear ledge. Connecting elements extend through the holes and are rigidly connected to the clamping bar and the press bar, and spring members in the cavity act between the press bar and an opposite support surface of the cavity to retain the wear ledge against the support body in a stable operating position. An expandable hose is arranged in the cavity so as, when activated, to press against the press bar so that the spring members are compressed and the wear ledge becomes free for pulling out along the locking bar.

Abstract: An adjustable foil apparatus for papermaking machines is described in which a pair of rigid foil members are mounted in a pair and are pivotable about substantially parallel longitudinal axes in mirror image fashion to provide selected angularity therebetween. A common operating mechanism is attached to both of the adjustable angle foils in the pair, such that actuation of the operating mechanism produces concurrent mirror image pivoting of the foils in the pair.

Abstract: A flexible mounting for use in the forming section of a twin forming fabric paper making machine consisting essentially of a base member supported by the paper making machine structure to which is attached a flexible C-shaped beam. The C-shaped beam has one edge attached to the base member, and a fabric contacting blade attachment means at the other edge. A pressurized loading tube is located within the C-shaped beam between the base member and the second edge of the C-shaped beam. When the pressurized loading tube is loaded, the C-shaped beam flexes thus allowing the blade to move initially into contact with a forming fabric. As the pressurized tube is further loaded, the contact face of the blade is moved into further engagement with the forming fabric. In a preferred construction, the wrap angle of the fabrics at or about the blade leading edge can be minimized. The mounting thus can diminish wear of the fabric as it passes over the blade.

Abstract: A multi-ply web forming method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a top ply onto a base ply. A fiber suspension jet is by means of a secondary headbox (21; 21′, 26) delivered into a twin-wire roll nip created by two tensioned wires (16, 22; 16′, 22′; 22, 27) one of which (16; 16′, 22) carries the moist base ply.

Abstract: A suction box in a paper machine including a vacuum chamber, a deck or a number of substantially U-section holders open toward a wire and ribs arranged in the deck or the holders so that they can be loaded against the wire. At least in a running situation, the deck of the suction box is curved or the ribs are arranged to provide a curve run of the wire so that the wire tension of the curved run over the deck or ribs serves to lower a normal force which is produced by the vacuum present in the suction box and which is effective between the wire and the deck or ribs. A method in a suction box in a paper machine, wherein a vacuum is formed in a vacuum chamber of the suction box and, during formation of the vacuum, the deck and/or the ribs is/are pressed against the wire.

Abstract: A dewatering instrument for a paper machine twin-wire former for improving the fiber dispersion performance while avoiding the decrease in strength of formed paper in its thickness directions. In the dewatering instrument, dewatering inhibiting blades have plane sections for supporting a wire and inclined surfaces for defining wedge-shaped spaces spreading out toward the upstream side in the wire traveling direction with respect to a wire plane formed on a wire entry side of the plane sections. Angles (wedge-angles) between the inclined surfaces and the wire are set to become sequentially smaller as a whole in proportion as the dewatering inhibiting blades are positioned on the further downstream side in the flowing direction of a paper raw material liquid.

Abstract: Suction box in a paper machine including a vacuum chamber, a deck or a number of substantially U-section holders open toward a wire and ribs arranged in the deck or the holders so that they can be loaded against the wire. At least in a running situation, the deck of the suction box is curved or the ribs are arranged to provide a curve run of the wire so that the wire tension of the curved run over the deck or ribs serves to lower a normal force which is produced by the vacuum present in the suction box and which is effective between the wire and the deck or ribs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for beginning the formation of a paper web on a traveling forming wire, or between a pair of converging forming wires, includes a headbox on a papermaking machine for projecting a stock stream onto the forming wire, or between the forming wires over the porous face surface of a forming shoe. The forming wire or wires are looped to travel in a continuous path, and within at least one of the looped forming wires is the forming shoe, which is porous by way of grooves or openings over at least a portion of its face surface. The grooves are in the surface of the forming shoe which engages the inner surface of the looped forming wire to define a portion of the path of travel of the forming wire adjacent the headbox from which the stock stream is projected onto, or between, the forming wire(s). The grooves extend in the surface facing the forming wire from a point downstream of the leading edge in the nose portion of the face surface of forming shoe in the direction of forming wire travel.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a papermaking machine having a plurality of variable dewatering devices with moveable elements which engage the conveyor carrying the paper stock and are adjusted by electrical operating devices, such as servo motors or solenoid valves, to vary their water removal rate in response to control signals produced by a computer controller. A plurality of sensors are spaced along the path of the paper sheet downstream from the variable dewatering devices to sense the paper sheet characteristics including light transparency and mass, and to apply sensor output signals corresponding thereto to the computer controller. The servo motors have their shafts coupled to adjustment devices for cam mechanisms which adjust the moveable elements of the variable dewatering elements.

Abstract: A twin-wire former adapted to form a web of fibrous material is provided. First and second endless circulating wire bands define a twin-wire zone therebetween, and form the web of fibrous material therebetween. The first and second wire bands run over a forming roll in the twin-wire zone, where the first wire band contacts the forming roll. A reel-off point is defined as the point at which the first and second wire bands disengage from the forming roll. At least one support device extends crosswise over the second wire band. The support device is a hinged foil skimmer, and is disposed in a region of the reel-off point, and contacts the second wire band. Movement of the second wire band relative to the at least one supporting device creates an area of reduced air pressure therebetween. The method includes moving the first and second wire bands adjacent a forming roll such that the first wire band contacts the forming roll. The first and second wire bands disengage from the forming roll at a reel-off point.

Abstract: Suction device and process for at least one of conditioning and drainage of an endless felt. The device includes a housing having at least one vacuum chamber, and a plurality of suction slits located on a suction surface of the housing that is adapted to face the endless felt. The plurality of suction slits are oriented to extend at least one of in and obliquely to a travel direction of the endless felt. The process includes guiding the endless belt over a suction surface of a vacuum chamber, and suctioning a surface of the endless belt with a plurality of suction slits located in the suction surface of the vacuum chamber. The plurality of suction slits extend in a direction that is at least one of in and oblique to a belt travel direction.