Maintenance should create usable evidence
Good paper machine clothing (PMC) maintenance does more than keep a fabric clean. It creates a consistent record of tension, guiding, cleaning, vacuum, moisture and damage so the team can separate machine problems from clothing wear and choose the next fabric from evidence.
Use this checklist as a framework, then set site-specific limits from the machine supplier, fabric supplier and your own safe operating procedures.
Every shift: quick operating checks
Forming section
- confirm fabric tracking and edge position;
- inspect showers for blocked or misaligned nozzles;
- watch for localized contamination, fiber build-up or streaks;
- record vacuum stability and unusual drive-load changes;
- check rolls, foils and suction elements for abnormal contact or vibration;
- photograph any new marks on the sheet and note their machine-direction frequency.
Press section
- check felt guiding, tension and edge condition;
- confirm shower oscillation, pressure and full-width coverage;
- monitor uhle-box vacuum and seal-water stability;
- compare sheet moisture after the press with the normal range;
- watch for glazing, deposits, folds or sudden water-handling changes;
- record chemical-cleaning events and the response after cleaning.
Dryer section
- check fabric guiding, tension and seam passage;
- inspect for deposits, damaged edges, broken yarns or seam-loop distortion;
- confirm cleaning showers and doctors are operating as intended;
- review pocket ventilation and any cross-direction moisture change;
- note abnormal noise, flutter or contact with stationary parts;
- inspect the hottest and wettest positions for early hydrolysis symptoms.
Weekly: trend the variables that change slowly
Create one record per clothing position with:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| tension and guiding history | reveals alignment or control drift |
| permeability/water-handling trend | helps identify contamination or compaction |
| vacuum and shower data | separates clothing condition from system performance |
| sheet moisture and quality trend | links PMC condition to production output |
| edge and seam photographs | makes gradual damage visible |
| cleaning chemical, concentration and result | prevents repeated ineffective cleaning |
| running days, tonnes and shutdowns | supports fair service-life comparison |
Use the same measurement method and position each time. A trend is more useful than isolated readings taken under different conditions.
Planned shutdown: inspect before cleaning hides the evidence
- Photograph the full width, both edges and the seam before cleaning.
- Mark running direction, drive side and tending side.
- Record deposits, glazing, abrasion, cuts, wrinkles and local discoloration.
- Inspect rolls, foils, suction boxes, doctors and stationary contact points.
- Verify shower nozzles and filters; replace damaged components.
- Measure the agreed fabric variables using the same test method as the baseline.
- After cleaning, record what recovered and what did not.
- If the fabric is removed, retain a labelled sample from the damaged and healthy areas where practical.
Installation and start-up controls
Before installation, verify the product, dimensions, running direction, seam components and storage condition against the order. Keep the fabric protected from sharp edges, welding sparks, oil and unnecessary folding.
During start-up, follow the machine and clothing supplier's tensioning and conditioning procedure. Confirm guiding and seam closure before increasing speed or load. Record the starting tension, vacuum, shower settings and sheet condition; this becomes the baseline for the entire run.
Product-specific points
Forming fabrics
PAPTEX forming-fabric parameter files show that support and drainage vary significantly by structure. Documented examples range from an FSI of 82–98 for 2B3616 to 159 for 3CSSB5220 and 172 for 3CSSB603020. Maintenance records should therefore include sheet marking, drainage and retention observations—not service days alone.
Review PAPTEX forming fabrics.
Dryer fabrics
Record dryer position and permeability together. PAPTEX proposals use different CFM values by group, so comparing two fabrics without their positions can lead to the wrong conclusion. Inspect seam condition and signs of hydrolysis separately from general contamination.
Read the dryer fabric selection guide.
Press felts
Track water handling, compaction, cleaning response and cross-direction condition. If a felt appears plugged or crushed, use the press felt troubleshooting workflow before assigning the root cause.
Replacement review: what to send the supplier
Provide the machine position, paper grade, basis weight, width, speed, current clothing specification, installation date, running days/tonnes, tension, vacuum, shower and cleaning records, moisture/quality trends, failure photos and the reason for removal.
This record allows PAPTEX to compare the next design against the actual operating constraint instead of repeating the previous specification by default.
Request an engineering review.
Important safety note
This checklist does not replace the paper machine manufacturer's lockout, guarding, chemical-handling or safe-access procedures. Inspection and cleaning must only be performed by trained personnel under the site's approved safety system.
