Control Device
Precision displacement mechanisms convert electrical energy into mechanical movement through the deformation of ceramic materials. A piezo actuator provides the fine adjustment required to control the slice lip of a paper machine headbox. This component enables the automated regulation of the basis weight profile across the machine width.
Operational Precision
Rapid response rates allow the system to make hundreds of adjustments per second to compensate for fluctuations in pulp flow. When a piezo actuator is integrated into a scanning frame, it can also modulate the pressure of an air knife or the position of a coating blade. The lack of moving parts like gears or bearings eliminates backlash and mechanical wear.
Reliability ensures consistent performance during the continuous operation of a modern mill.
System Response
Feedback loops link the sensors at the dry end of the machine to the actuators at the wet end. If the basis weight deviates from the target, the piezo actuator modifies the opening of the slice to either increase or decrease the amount of stock reaching the wire. The high stiffness of the ceramic element ensures that the position is maintained even against high hydraulic pressures.
Such precision is a requirement for producing high quality lightweight substrates for flexible packaging.
