PaperIQ Select, a paper machine Quality Control System (QCS)
PaperIQ Select, a change of pace in quality control
New adaptive, situation-based scanning control and high-speed measurements provide faster grades changes, better recovery from web breaks and lower paper waste. Online variability analysis helps papermakers to improve process stability and machine efficiency.
Selectable, adaptive and situation-based scanning
PaperIQ Select introduces a totally new concept for the scanning of paper quality measurements. The system’s new intelligent scanning function is selectable and adaptive to suit the control situation and the process state. It’s a major improvement to traditional scanning methods.
PaperIQ Select’s scanning speeds and scan widths change in response to the differing control responses required for steady state operation, and transition or upset conditions like grade changes, coating blade changes, start-ups and break recovery periods. As well, online paper quality analysis required for benchmarking, troubleshooting and continuous improvement programs is an integral part of the system. Automated or selectable machine direction (MD), cross direction (CD) variability analysis is used to monitor, diagnose and correct machine stability problems. Special edge analysis is activated when a more precise measurement and better understanding of web edge quality is needed.
Fast, sensitive online measurements
The adaptive, scanning control offers significant advantages for more precise paper quality control in all situations, and for advanced paper quality analysis. The intelligent scanning function built into the scanning platform is one technology development that has made this possible. In addition, the sensitivity and speed of response of the online measurements is crucial for its success. To this end, PaperIQ measurement technology has been upgraded in recent years to include on-board signal processing and Ethernet communications, thereby improving the measurement resolution and speed.
Offline variability analysis now online
With faster, flexible and more intelligent scanning capabilities, high speed sensors with high sampling rates, and sophisticated analysis tools, the PaperIQ Select can generate Fourier bands to identify variations originating in many paper machine elements. Hence, PaperIQ Select makes standard high resolution offline variability analyses available online. For example, online Fourier bands are now possible using infrared measurements, including the measurement of fiber weight.
Regular online variability analyses can be used to evaluate machine stability, and compare it to industry benchmarks. In the long term, these diagnostics can be used to make regular improvements to the process for better machine efficiency and product quality.
