Paper Machine Clothing Installation & Maintenance Best Practices
Proper installation and maintenance can extend fabric life by 20-50% and reduce unplanned downtime.
Pre-Installation Preparation
Personnel & Tools
- Experienced installation team (wet forming fabric can weigh 200-500 kg+)
- Fabric transport cart / support poles — never drag on floor
- Calibrated tension meter
- All tools removed from machine before startup
Machine Preparation
- Clear all sharp edges from fabric path
- Inspect and clean all rolls
- Verify roll alignment (laser recommended)
- Check shower and vacuum system operation
- Ensure adequate lighting
Forming Fabric Installation
- Pre-Installation Inspection: Check fabric for transport damage, verify dimensions
- Position fabric roll on unwind stand at breast roll end
- Thread fabric through machine following the fabric run drawing
- Join the seam: Follow manufacturer's seam installation procedure
- Tension gradually: Start at low tension, increase in steps
- Verify tracking: Run at crawl speed, check alignment at all rolls
- Increase to operating tension: 4-8 kN/m per PAPTEX datasheet
- Full speed run: Verify tracking, sheet quality, and drainage
Press Felt Installation
- Pre-condition felt: Allow to acclimate to machine environment (temperature, humidity)
- Thread following felt run diagram
- Initial tension: 30-40% of operating tension
- Run-in period: Low speed with showers on to condition felt surface
- Gradually increase to operating tension: 2-5 kN/m
- Verify dewatering performance: Check uhle box vacuum and nip dryness
Dryer Fabric Installation
- Pre-heat machine gradually: 10-15°C per 30 minutes to prevent thermal shock
- Thread fabric following dryer section threading diagram
- Join pin seam (factory pre-installed — no field sewing needed for PAPTEX)
- Tension to operating specs: 2-5 kN/m
- Verify seam and edge alignment: Run at crawl, then gradually increase speed
Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Daily:
- Visual pressure check on all showers
- Visual fabric inspection for damage, tracking issues
- Check uhle box vacuum readings
Weekly:
- Inspect every shower nozzle — one clogged nozzle = one accelerated wear stripe
- Measure fabric tension with calibrated gauge
- Check fabric width stability
- Inspect seam condition
Monthly:
- Comprehensive system check: filters, pressure, oscillation on all showers
- Laser tension verification
- Detailed seam inspection (pin wear, loop integrity)
- Edge wear measurement and documentation
Quarterly:
- Chemical descaling of pipes and nozzles
- Comprehensive roll alignment check
- Review fabric life data and trends
After Every Fabric Change:
- Verify new fabric alignment
- Document installation parameters
- Check and clean all shower nozzles
- Inspect vacuum box covers and seals
Chemical Cleaning Protocols
For CaCO₃ / Fillers:
- Mild acid wash (pH 3-4)
- Circulate through shower system or spot clean
- Thorough rinse after treatment
For Organics / Stickies:
- Alkaline wash (pH 10-11) + surfactant
- Never exceed pH 2-11 range
- Verify PET alkali compatibility at operating temperature
For Mixed Deposits:
- Alternate acid and alkaline (never mix!)
- Thorough rinse between types
- Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks (high filler/recycled), every 4-8 weeks (virgin fiber)
Storage Guidelines
- Temperature: 10-30°C
- Humidity: 40-70% RH
- UV protection: Keep in opaque packaging
- Horizontal storage only — never store vertically
- Maximum stack height: 3 rolls
- Shelf life: 2 years from manufacture
- If stored >1 year: inspect before installation
Key Safety Rules
- Use fabric transport equipment — manual handling risks injury and fabric damage
- Keep packaging on until installation
- Clear path of all sharp edges
- Adequate personnel for fabric weight
- Avoid oil/grease contact with fabric
- Prevent twisting (180° twist destroys fabric)
- Protect seam during handling
- Remove all tools before machine startup