The Stora Enso Technical Support team utilizes hi-tech cameras to conduct some in-depth, innovative troubleshooting – with great results. Michael Benger, Head of Technical Sales South & Support Team for Stora Enso’s Paper Division, answered our questions about the innovative camera service.
What is this service all about?
We use multifunctional, camera-based analysing equipment, developed by Stora Enso, as our main tool. This mean that high resolution – and, if needed, highspeed cameras – are installed on all significant positions of a production process. We synchronise the cameras in such a way that all positions see the same piece of paper. The key here is the 20 seconds before the web break occurs – that’s where we really zero in and figure out the root cause of the problem.
When did you start using cameras?
We started using cameras a little over 15 years ago, developing strategies that work for paper mills and then expanding to other processes, too. With printing presses, it’s noteworthy that they’re all different, so adjustments are always needed in each case.
What is your biggest undertaking to date?
Our biggest project – deploying 48 cameras – is a cold set printer operation in Austria where newsprint production was experiencing serious challenges. There were, for instance, a great number of disturbances and web breaks during reel changes. In 2018, we started developing the tailored solution for this Austrian case and for the past two years, cameras have been monitoring the production, helping to eliminate problems.
And what are the results?
Several break reasons have been discovered, and the corresponding problems – ranging from a faulty splice tape application to a folded web edge in the splice zone – have been addressed accordingly. What’s more, the long-term observation of every splice also allows the detection of process deviations that sort of “creep in” gradually. Thanks to the solution, the customer now has the opportunity to react with predictive maintenance before any major process disturbances occur.
How does your work boost the overall customer service?
Stability of the customer’s processes is a priority for us – we’re always mindful of process efficiency and looking for ways to improve it. In the end, it’s a real win-win situation: there is improved efficiency for the customer and valuable feedback for us about our product performance.
For further info, please contact Michael Benger.