Another great achievement for Palm Aalen PM5
Apr 19, 2024
Palm Aalen’s PM5 has been in the headlines since its start-up in 2021. It’s the world’s widest high-capacity containerboard line with an annual capacity of 750,000 tons and a design speed of 2,000 m/min. It features many technological innovations and is a true showcase of CO2-efficient board production.
On 3rd April 2024, Palm Aalen’s PM5 recorded another great achievement – its Valmet supplied OptiWin Pro winder won the title of the world’s fastest winder. It was winding high-quality rolls at 3,220m/min with 1.450mm diameter in less than 4 minutes. The speed record was reached just two weeks after the mill’s annual shutdown.
“In order to reach our goals here at Palm PM5, such as the recent winder world record, we are combining the dedication and drive of our employees with the resources of our partners at Valmet. Since the start-up, we have reached many milestones and I’m confident that we will reach many more by working closely together,” says Jonas Schuster, Mill Manager at Palm Aalen.
High speed winding at a 11m wide winder needs perfect profiles and paper properties. Stable edges, no holes and excellent profiles in MD & CD direction are mandatory for such a high-speed operating winder. This excellent paper quality produced at PM5 is the basis for this record. But also VALMET’s new sleeve roll technology defining great profiles and providing dewatering without vacuum at the beginning of the paper machine plus the intelligent software connection between PM5 and the OptiWin Pro proactive winder through VALMET’s DNA are further building blocks for this world-record.” says Stephan Gruber, Chief Operating Officer at Papierfabrik Palm.
Valmet’s OptiWin Pro winder represents the latest winding technology
Palm Aalen’s winder is a OptiWin Pro winder with a Dual Unwind system. At the time, it was Valmet’s 1000th winder delivered. The winder is highly automated, and being connected to reel and automatic transfer rails, it can be operated in a safe and effective way while providing high production levels. The Dual Unwind system enables a one-minute parent roll change, leading to significantly increased winding capacity.
“The OptiWin Pro winder is designed for the highest capacity based on a very fast – only 15 seconds – set change time and good runnability. Thanks to these features the winder has been able to produce more than 900 to net on just one eight hour shift”, says Christian Strohschein, Mill Sales Manager at Valmet.
Completing a giant puzzle
Christian Strohschein describes that reaching the world record feels like a great step in the long journey from machine start-up until now.
“For 2,5 years we have worked hard to take good care of the production line, simultaneously fine-tuning the different machine parts, processes and operators’ work. Right now, it seems we have everything in place, and I want to thank our entire local team and international experts for their excellent work and dedication.” he says.
“But as you can guess, we’re hungry for more. The work continues, and together with Palm Aalen’s team, we are ready to set more benchmarks in the industry,” Christian Strohschein continues.
For more information, please contact:
Christian Strohschein, Mill Sales Manager at Valmet
christian.strohschein@valmet.com