Module 6 part 1
Pressing & vacuum systems
Lecture VI
Paper machine rolls
1
Paper Machine Rolls – Lead rolls
• Lead rolls (general term) – simplest roll
– May also be called return roll, paper roll, tension roll, felt roll, etc
– Designed to lead or support fabrics or paper web
• Requirements are:
– Ability to withstand operationally applied loads
– Operate at a harmless vibration level
– Deflection of a harmless magnitude
• Normal load
– Combination of roll weight and the applied fabric tension
– Wires 8 to 10 kN/m, felts 4 kN/m, dryer fabrics 4 to 5 kN/m
2
Paper machine rolls – Lead rolls
• Lead roll bearings
– Almost exclusively spherical roller bearings
– Insensitive to misalignment
• Lead roll covers
– Commonly rubber of 0 – 3 P&J hardness
– Inexpensive, wear resistant, good friction against a
fabric
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 11 3
Paper machine rolls – Spreader rolls
• The function of a spreader roll is to “spread” the paper
sheet from the center outwards, to prevent creasing
• Simple web spreading application is a threaded roll
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 11. pg 453 4
Paper machine rolls – Spreader rolls
• Curved spreader rolls (Frequently called bowed or Mt.
Hope rolls)
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 11. pg 455/6
• An adjustable spreader roll
5
Paper machine rolls – Suction rolls
• Suction rolls have different functions:
– Web transfer (keep the web attached
to a fabric or felt)
– Press suction rolls (reduce rewetting by
water transfer)
– A primary function of both roll types
is to guide the web
• Suction boxes have internal showers
for cleaning and lubrication
– Seals were asbestos, now synthetic
plastics with graphite lubrication Smook 3rd ed, pg 256
– End seals adjustable due to variable
web width
6
Suction rolls
• Suction roll covers
– Rubber (suffers from hysteresis heat from repeated loading, not
used on high speed machines)
– Polyurethane more common but suffers from water penetration
– Drilling patterns designed to optimize strength, stiffness, noise
generation
• Noise generation
– Occurs each time a hole is filled with air
– Drilling patterns are such that individual holes are filled with air
at different times, avoiding ‘in-line’ hole filling
• Forces acting on rolls
– Nip forces, vacuum forces, press felt loads
– Centrifugal forces, axial forces
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 11 7
Paper machine rolls
• Granite rolls
– Granite rolls have been extensively used for over 100 years
– Traditionally used as the centre roll in a 3-nip configuration
– Good properties, especially sheet release
– Recently failures and accidents due to increased machine
speeds and thermal shock
• Substitute roll material covers
– The subject of ongoing research
– Polyurethane, rubber formulations, ceramic formulations
– Surface energy and roll roughness have been found to
contribute to sheet release
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 11 8
Paper machine rolls
• Plain rolls
– Do not remove water
– Even in conjunction with a felt water removal capacity is limited
• Vented rolls
– Either blind drilled or grooved significantly enhance water
removal
• Suction rolls
– Water removal further enhanced
• Both vented and suction rolls can cause sheet marking
(shadow marking)
Paulapuro 2007 chapt 11 9
Shoe press technology
• NipcoFlex press Pressure shoe
Voith Company - Twogether Paper Technology Journal 10
Shoe press construction
Diagram of the construction of a shoe press roll
11
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 10. pg 429
Shoe press belts (aka sleeves or blankets)
Non-vented sleeve
Shoe press belt
construction
• Base fabric (strength)
• Coating (prevention of
oil penetration) Vented sleeve
• Materials: polyester,
kevlar, polyurethane
• Most use total
encapsulation of yarns
for strength Paulapuro 2007, chapt 10 pgs 430/1 12
Guide Rolls
Guide rolls are used to keep the felts or wires running
within a narrow track
• Principle of guiding • Ideal guiding configuration
Paulapuro 2007, chapt 10 pg 417 13
