METSO PAPER: First Wrapline Capable Of Handling 5.2 m Wide Rolls

Helsinki, Finland - Metso Paper has built the first wrapping machine that is capable of wrapping huge paper rolls up to 5.2 m in width.

The wrapping machine will be delivered to Plattling Papier, the new uncoated paper line next to Myllykoski's MD Plattling mill in southern Germany. The line's production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2008.

The record wrapping machine is of the StreamLine type and is equipped with an indexing conveyor and overlap wrapping. With overlap wrapping, only the wide shipping rolls are wrapped with two, three or even four overlapped wrappers. The benefits of standard overlap wrapping are obvious: overlap wrapping provides the best protection against humidity changes and causes less stress on the roll as rotation of the roll is minimized.

No hydraulic actuators or components are used on the StreamLine wrapping machine. All actuators in the system are either electric gear motor operated or pneumatic. No hydraulics means no leakages of hydraulic oil and no hydraulic power units. The maintenance and environmental issues associated with hydraulics are eliminated. Electric drives also produce energy savings in comparison to hydraulic systems.

Prior to 2004, roll finishing equipment was only available for handling rolls less than 3.68 m in width and 7 tonnes in weight. This changed dramatically with the startup of the super-wide printing press at Maul- Belser Medienverbund in Nuremberg, Germany, which changed the market forever and set new dimensions for rotogravure shipping rolls. The maximum web width increased to 4.32 m (14') and the roll weight to 10 tonnes. The Myllykoski Plattling mill is preparing for the future by designing the wrapping machine to handle rolls 5.2 m wide.

SOURCE: Metso Paper