Paper Machines of the Future: Factors Affecting Change, 1992 Engineering Conference Proceedings

Future changes in paper machine design will be influenced by many factors. Technology will be a major factor affecting future speeds and widths. In addition, economics and markets for paper and paperboard products will also be factors.

Although the slow economy was detrimental to year-end earnings in the pulp and paper industry, there is hope for growth in the near future. While the future rate of growth may be lower than was seen in the 80’s, future total tonnage increase will be higher. While a large portion of the increased tonnage is expected to come from machine rebuilds, rather than new machines, both will provide good opportunity for new technical advancements. Increased growth in paperboard exports is expected to add increased tonnage in that category. In the paper grade category, printing and writing grades are expected to be the main growth grade.

While paper machines of the future are expected to continue to increase in speed, the width has nearly reached the point of diminishing returns. Wider machines require appreciably larger diameter rolls, a major factor in the cost of paper machines. There is also the potential that a larger portion of new machines will be of the "minimill" type, hence smaller and slower, because of the economic influence.