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Tissue and paper machines need to deliver consistent performance under demanding conditions, while manufacturers and OEMs work to improve efficiency, lower energy consumption and achieve their sustainability targets.
At SMC Corporation, we understand these challenges and support the industry with advanced automation solutions designed to optimise machine performance and reduce operational costs.
Through digitalisation and smart flexibility, SMC enables real-time monitoring, improved machine efficiency and enhanced long-term reliability, helping OEMs and manufacturers develop more competitive and sustainable tissue and paper machines.
Tissue and paper machines operate across multiple process stages, where maintaining precise web tension, stable pressure levels and synchronised motion is critical to ensure consistent product quality. From pulp processing to winding and converting, each step requires components capable of delivering reliable and repeatable performance.
At the same time, reducing energy consumption and improving overall machine efficiency have become key priorities for machine builders and end users.
To support modern machine requirements, automation must provide more than basic control. Advanced technologies now enable digital communication, improved system visibility and simplified integration.
SMC solutions support digitalised architectures through technologies such as fieldbus communication, IO-Link connectivity and intelligent air management. These capabilities enable real-time access to machine data, helping optimise performance, simplify commissioning and support efficient operation.
Choosing the right automation partner plays a key role in achieving long-term machine performance. SMC supports OEMs worldwide with solutions designed to improve machine efficiency, optimise resource usage and ensure consistent operation.
By implementing SMC technologies, machine builders can benefit from:
This helps OEMs develop competitive tissue and paper machines that meet the evolving requirements
of the global market.
Tissue & paper manufacturing is built around two main lines, each with their own automation challenges and performance priorities: the Production line and the Converting line.
A tissue manufacturer needed to manage acyclic functions on the production line, including valve switching cycles and counter resets, while ensuring high machine efficiency and full process visibility.
By implementing the SMC EX600 Fieldbus Unit with OPC UA communication, the customer benefitted from real-time data monitoring without PLC programming.
This reduced wiring complexity, simplified integration and delivered measurable cost savings while improving overall process control.
During the roll accumulation phase, continuous blowers were used to clean roll channels, resulting in excessive compressed air consumption and high operating costs.
By replacing them with AXT series pulse blow valves, the customer started introducing targeted, high-pressure air bursts.
This solution significantly reduced energy consumption, improved cleaning performance and delivered tangible operational cost savings.
A tissue-converting machine builder required a reliable solution to provide mechanical blocking during emergency stops, ensuring both operator safety and machine protection.
SMC supplied the C96 ISO cylinder, designed for high-force applications, enabling secure and repeatable stopping performance.
Its certified compliance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC ensured full regulatory compliance and reliable operation.
SMC supports OEMs and machine builders with automation solutions covering both key stages of tissue & paper manufacturing: the Production line and the Converting line. From wet-end reliability to high-speed converting and packaging, our portfolio is designed to reduce downtime, improve OEE and support energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
Five core technology families for Tissue & Paper OEMs
To ensure performance across the entire machine, SMC solutions are built around five main product families:
How can I improve the efficiency of tissue and paper machines?
Machine efficiency can be improved by optimising automation systems, stabilising pressure and motion control, and enabling real-time performance monitoring. This helps reduce downtime, improve process stability and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
How can compressed air consumption be reduced in tissue and paper production?
Air consumption can be reduced by eliminating continuous blowing, optimising pressure levels, and using energy-efficient valves and air management solutions. This lowers energy costs while maintaining reliable machine performance.
How can downtime be reduced in tissue manufacturing lines?
Downtime can be minimised by using reliable automation components with a long service life, implementing condition monitoring and ensuring stable repeatable machine operation. Early detection of performance issues helps prevent unexpected failures.
How can energy efficiency be improved in pulp processing?
Energy efficiency can be improved by optimising compressed air systems, using efficient cooling solutions and improving overall process control. These measures help reduce operational costs and support sustainability targets.
How can machine reliability be improved in tissue-converting applications?
Machine reliability can be improved by using robust automation components designed for high-cycle operation, ensuring stable control and reducing mechanical stress. This helps maintain consistent performance and reduces maintenance requirements.
Get expert support to improve efficiency, reduce costs and optimise your tissue and paper machines.
