Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a process (10), having at least two sub-processes (20, 30), by tracking, processing and correcting variables for the product, the production means and/or any process media throughout the process line. The process flow for the first sub-process (20) is divided into slices, each slice representing a specific volume of process flow. At least some of the measured and sampled variable values are related to its specific slice volume.

Abstract: A method of engineering score-line-crack-resistant multi-ply linerboard. The propensity for score-line cracking may be eliminated by engineering a ductile, plastically deforming top ply of a two-ply construction. Plasticity essentially extends the life span through which a material may deform (under external monotonic loading) prior to the initiation of damage (e.g., crack propagation) and ultimate failure. Hence the board's propensity for cracking is intrinsically linked to its fracture energy, or the energy consumed during plastic deformation (prior to failure). A top-ply fracture tester is used to measure the plastic energy consumed in deforming a single ply in a multi-ply system. The energy consumed in the plastic zone has shown excellent correlation to score-line cracking field performance of white-top linerboard. Machine trials were conducted to identify the principal variables that affect the propensity for score-line cracking. The principal variables identified were: fiber furnish (virgin vs.

Abstract: A Kalman filter algorithm is used for estimation in a feedback control system for a moving web. Matrices of the Kalman filter algorithm are solved with reduced computational complexity. One of the matrices is solved as a diagonal matrix for both state prediction and covariance and another matrix for gain is solved merely as a vector.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to accumulating limited lengths of such continuous webs and to controlling tension in such continuous webs during the processing operation. Both tension control and limited accumulations are achieved in a festoon system by connecting a corresponding festoon to actuator or the like, sensing variables such as position, tension, velocity, and acceleration parameters related to the web and the festoon, and providing active force commands, in response to the sensed variables, to cause translational movement, generally including a target acceleration, in the upper festoon rolls to control tension disturbances in the web while providing limited accumulation of a length of the web. In some applications of the invention, the festoon control system is used to attenuate tension disturbances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for executing a grade change in a paper machine, in which method a grade change is executed by determining, in advance, target ramps for different process variables, which are ramped according to said ramps during the grade change. Data about the grade changes already executed is collected, whereafter data about successful grade changes is selected and the grade change models to be used are determined on the basis of this data, and the target ramps are determined by means of these grade change models.

Abstract: A system of providing fast machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) basis weight adjustments using a simultaneous multi-point water weight sensor which provides independent MD and CD measurements is described. The water weight sensor is placed under the wire of the sheetmaking machine and provides fast wet end water weight measurements which are converted into predicted dry end basis weight information and used to control operating variables of machine elements in the sheetmaking machine to compensate for high frequency process variations. MD wet end measurements are used to control operating variables of machine elements that influence the MD dry end basis weight and CD wet end measurements are used to control operating variables of machine elements that influence CD dry end basis weight.

Abstract: An on-line pulp digester control system. More particularly, this invention pertains to a control system which employs real time measurements from ion mobility spectrometry to automatically rapidly and continuously determine the physical and chemical characteristics of wood chip feedstock being fed into a pulp digester and thereby maximize process efficiencies, minimize chemical and energy consumption and improve product uniformity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus useful in the development of molds are disclosed. In particular, the methods and apparatus of the present invention are useful, for example, in the context of dimensionally expanding and printing a picture image on a printable sheet for use in making a picture print thermoforming female mold of castible shrinkable material. In addition, a process for producing a male mold which replicates brush strokes of an original painting is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling a sheet-making process. In the solution, a sheet matching desired values is manufactured. A measuring unit measures the state of the process to produce one or more measurement value representing the state of the process. A comparator compares each measurement value with a corresponding desired value and, on the basis of the comparison, forms an error representing the difference between at least one measurement value and desired value. A control unit forms at least two control action candidates based on the error using at least two process models, of which at least one is a perturbed process model. A processing unit forms one control action from the control action candidates, with which control action the sheet-making process is controlled to produce a sheet matching the desired values.

Abstract: This invention relates to a loose draw detector for a paper machine wet press. Such structure of this type, generally, use laser triangulation displacement sensors mounted and positioned to measure the point of web release from the center roll and measure paper web wrinkles in the form of rapid fluctuations/decreases in the standoff distance between sensors and the web passing over the leadout roll to determine loose draw.

Abstract: A machine vision inspection system for industrial parts such as plastic molded caps or the like can reliably detect defects at very high inspection rates on the order of 1600 per minute of a variety of cap colors and liners including previously difficult to inspect combinations. Advantageously, the system includes an inclined inspection ramp which provides separation between the caps which are processed through an inspection station to provide accurate imaging of each individual cap without interference from adjacent caps. Further, the inspection station includes a light source which is provided on the back side of the cap in the form of an infrared LED strobe light which provides accurate and reliable lighting for appropriate imaging of caps of any color to detect and identify defects therein.

Abstract: A publication distribution system and, more specifically, a computer operated feedback control system for controlling a process such as a paper-making process includes an effective common data base to which Publisher and Subscriber means are connected. An actual Publisher and Subscriber data base allows for a once only subscription to link subscriber means to a selected publisher for transfer of only updated or changed data from the original. Thus, only changed data is transferred across a network and computational load is reduced significantly. In the specific context of the present invention, the Publisher may be a scanning sensor for basis weight of paper being manufactured by a paper-making machine and a Subscriber may be an actuator such as a headbox control unit.

Abstract: A process comprising identifying assets in a raw architectural CAD drawing, applying compliance and preferred criteria for creating detailed engineering specifications corresponding to said assets and producing detailed engineering CAD drawings and reports. Preferably, one or more preferred databases of criteria augment the criteria needed for compliance with local codes, said preferred databases including architecturally specific criteria and a client's professional, individual and preferred criteria. Repeated use results in ever more complete databases of preferred criteria for enabling a process requiring little or no additional intervention for processing subsequent CAD drawings. Apparatus embodying the process preferably include a computer and an interactive network system and having at least one client terminal for interacting with a client, downloading the client's raw CAD files and uploading detailed output CAD drawings to the client.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine for cutting stacks of material in sheets. The machine's basic settings are established in accordance with parametric settings (machine parameters). Specific parameters (program parameters) are permanently assigned to an overall material-cutting program. Individual parameters (routine parameters) are permanently assigned to paper-cutting routines within the overall program. The machine parameters are stored and remain valid until modified or replaced by specifically requested routine parameters. The routine parameters are stored and remain valid until modified. The method allows the operation of the machine to be adapted to the various conditions that occur during the job.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for identifying plural relations in a sheet manufacturing process. Sheet properties are deduced from a response in a pseudo-property profile to a cyclic stimulation. A pseudo-property profile is calculated using a phase lag equal to half the stimulation cycle time, with and without stimulation. The properties of the sheet are deduced from the difference between an excited pseudo-property profile and a reference pseudo-property profile.

Abstract: The inventive method bases on a consequent realization of the following two conditions: firstly on the consequent separation of the “immaterial or virtual sphere” of information from the “material or real sphere” of the paper and secondly on the consequent standardization of the printed information to a form such that a further processing after printing is not necessary. The consequent separation between information (immaterial sphere) and paper (material sphere) leads to an irreversible combination of the two only in the location where and at the time when the printed information is delivered to the ordering end-customer (reader) in form of a commodity unit, i.e. when contents, location and time of such a commodity unit are defined by the ordering customer. The advantage is that information can be recorded and organized considerably faster and in particular can be copied and transported considerably more simply in the immaterial sphere than this is the case in material sphere.

Abstract: A paper machine for making a fiber web includes an approach flow system with a plurality of control modules. Each control module controls one of a plurality of adjustable input parameters. A wet end receives a fiber suspension from the approach flow system, and includes a headbox which discharges a fiber suspension with a known cross sectional profile onto a wire. A press section, forming section and drying section are used to press form and dry the fiber web, respectively. A plurality of sensors are respectively positioned in association with the approach flow system, wet end, press section, forming section and/or drying section. Each sensor is configured to sense a physical characteristic of the fiber suspension or fiber web and provide an output signal indicative thereof. A chemistry process controller is coupled with each sensor and each control module within the approach flow system to define a closed loop control system. The chemistry process controller controls operation of each control module.

Abstract: A method (100) for predicting distortion of a sheet metal during a sheet forming process to form the sheet metal into a part. The method (100) of the present invention is for use with a computer including memory and sheet forming tools. The method (100) comprises applying (104-116) the radial return method to compute the total stress for the anisotropic hardening rule of Mroz. The method (100) of the present invention does not divide a given strain increment into hundreds of subintervals as long as the movement of the center of the active yield surface is along a fixed path. If a break occurs, the given strain increment is divided into a few segments (110).

Abstract: In an apparatus for minimizing vacuum losses from a permeable support surface having one or more layers of sheet-type work material positioned thereon, the support surface includes opposed lateral edge surfaces, each defining an upper and lower section. At least two upper seals are coupled to the frame, each engaging the upper section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and extending approximately the length of the support surface. At least two side seals are also provided and are coupled to the frame, each engaging the side section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and also extending approximately the length of the support surface. During operation of the apparatus, vacuum is drawn through the permeable support surface and causes the upper and side seals to be drawn and held against the lateral side sections, forming a seal there against.

Abstract: A method of producing an instrument face having functional indicia thereon (such as a clock face dial, thermometer face, etc.), allows-high quality, multicolor instrument faces to be produced in a cost effective manner even for small runs (e.g. 1-500 units). The instrument face is created in a computer in electronic format, and the computer transmits electronic signals to a color photocopier, to control it to print the instrument face on a sheet of paper. The sheet of paper may be laminated to a more rigid sheet, e.g. styrene, cardboard, acrylic or plexiglass, and then an instrument face of the appropriate geometric shape and size is cut from the sheet material. The face is assembled with other functional components to produce an operable instrument. The cutting is preferably practiced automatically utilizing a laser cutter under the control of the computer. A scanner or CD ROM may be utilized for inputting data into the computer.

Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a wire speed. A sheet of wet stock moving a speed develops on the wire.

Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a certain stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a certain wire speed. The system includes: a) at least two water weight sensors that are positioned adjacent to the wire wherein the at least two sensors are positioned at different locations in the direction of movement of the wire and upstream from a dry line which develops during operation of the machine and the sensors generate signals indicative of a water weight profile made up of a multiplicity of water weight measurements; and b) means for adjusting at least one of the stock jet speed, wire speed, or to cause the water weight profile to match a preselected or optimal water weight profile.