BTG blade expertise helps European tissue maker quickly reach productivity and profitability goals
The BTG Duroblade® creping blade used by SHP Celex was specifically developed for tissue production. But because geometry and design can dramatically influence both tissue quality and machine runnability, conferring more or less bulk and softness and impacting web break frequency and chemical dosing, a range of designs and geometries are used to ensure top performance in line with customer requirements. For each machine and each application, BTG carried out an analysis to determine the optimum geometry, design and tip material. As a result, SHP Celex was able to reach record operating times and increase production per blade, thanks to a combination of BTG expertise and high-performance ceramic-tipped blades.
“In June 2007, SHP decided to test BTG’s Duroblade® ceramic creping blades. One of our main objectives was to reduce the number of blade changes and lower the related production loss. We estimated that 30 minutes of production could be gained daily by reducing the number of blade changes.
The first tests with the new Duroblade confirmed an estimated increase of β–coefficient (reduced production loss due to blade changes and paper threading) and also showed increased stability of the paper parameters.
Average blade lifetime was 55 hours, during which 262 tonnes were produced (mean value).
After introducing ceramic blades in standard production we recorded one exceptionally long lifetime; one BTG Duroblade ran 258 hours in total, including one operation stop (first operating interval 136 hours, second operating interval 122 hours).
Because the reduction in creping blade changes eased work for our operating personnel, they were highly motivated to create optimal operating conditions for the ceramic blades. Thanks to BTG’s technical support, this resulted in an average blade lifetime of 73 hours (meaning an average production of 350 tonnes per blade) – a result that’s more than satisfying!”
Mario Blazevic, Production Planner
Boris Latinovic, Production Engineer
About SHP Celex
Based in Bosnia Herzegovina, SHP Celex a.d. has been producing and converting tissue since 1966 and became a member of the Slovak Hygienic Paper group in 2002.
At SHP Celex, PM2 currently runs at a maximum operating speed of 1,300m/min (design speed 1,500m/min), with a paper web width of 4.92m.
BTG is proud to present this testimonial by SHP Celex staff Mario Blazevic and Boris Latinovic, who respectively serve as the mill’s Production Planner and Production Engineer.