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Papermaking Machine
The Paper Machine is a very large piece of machinery. A typical machine is
about the length of two football pitches and around 4 metres wide. It can
run up to speeds of 2000 m per minute - or 60 miles per hour! The machine
itself consists of 7 distinct sections. The flow box, wire, press section,
drier section, size press, calendar and reeling up.
The first section of the machine is called the 'Wet End'. This is where the
diluted stock first comes into contact with the paper machine. It is poured
onto the machine by the flow box which is a collecting box for the dilute
paper stock. A narrow apperture running across the width of the box allows
the stock to flow onto the wire with the fibres distributed evenly over the
whole width of the paper machine.
The machine is operated by computer control. The computer will monitor the
paper for moisture content, weight etc and computer screens will show
pictures of the process and should any adjustments need to be made, an alarm
will sound.
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