NEWS

(20.12.2022 / sbr)

Voith increases winder performance with integrated technology service and automatic format change

Voith introduces an integrated service offering to increase winder performance in all applications, along with FastFormat, a new solution for automatic format changes. The performance of the winder is crucial for the efficiency of the paper machine, because winder operation that is not optimal can lead to capacity bottlenecks across the entire paper production process. To avoid this, Voith now offers an integrated technology service for higher winder availability. FastFormat, a new product for automatic format changes, also increases winder performance and ensures greater safety for operators.

Service offering with outstanding know-how

Voith's extensive winder service enables quick identification of bottlenecks and increases capacity, paper quality and safety. Customers benefit from comprehensive technology service to improve winder availability, increase productivity and cut costs.

The scope and content of the service offering are individually adapted to the respective requirements of each customer. As a result, key production figures, such as set change time and acceleration, can be demonstrably improved. An important part of the service offering is a 24/7 hotline support that provides customers with rapid assistance and solutions to problems.

At its PM 1 in Munksund, Sweden, forest industry company SCA already relies on Voith's winder technology service. “The biggest benefit of our winder service partnership with Voith is the fact that it can’t be simply narrowed down to a single advantage,” says Urban Marklund, Production Technician at SCA Munksund AB in Sweden. “It’s the complete package that makes it so valuable to us. It’s everything from Voith’s unrivaled expertise in the areas of automation and technology to the annual on-site visits and 24/7 hotline support. All this adds up to a deal that is very useful and important to us.”

“With our comprehensive service offering, we support our customers even better in continuously improving the performance of their winder,” adds Sven Franke, Senior Automation Engineer at Voith Paper. “Through regular service visits to our customers’ sites, the winders are continuously optimized and adapted to changing influences and needs. Another important aspect is our availability as a reliable partner in case of malfunctions. This is exactly what we have implemented with our 24/7 hotline support.”

FastFormat for quick and safe format changes

With FastFormat, Voith is presenting its first product for fast and safe format changes. FastFormat has a return on investment of only a few months and particularly helps paper manufacturers avoid capacity losses due to frequent format changes.

FastFormat allows the winder’s engaging edge slitters to be moved at crawl speed and the web width to be changed, enabling automated format changes without operator intervention. This not only increases safety for the operator but also boosts winder production.

“Approximately one minute can be saved per format change, which really makes a difference, especially for customers with frequent format changes,” says Fabian Köberle, Global Product Manager at Voith Paper. “In addition, FastFormat eliminates the need for operator intervention previously required on a regular basis.”

The solution is already being used successfully at DS Smith Paper in the German town of Witzenhausen. “FastFormat offers us enormous productivity and safety benefits and is an important step towards a fully automated process,” confirms Ulf Heiligtag, Head of Technology at DS Smith Paper.

“The installation process went smoothly, and the solution runs as expected – we are extremely satisfied,” adds Stephan Siebold, Project Director at DS Smith Paper.