Paper Technology International 2026 - Book - Page 79

PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL Runtech introduces new EP AMB Turbo Blower: High efficiency meets high reliability. Anna-Riina Ahonen, Marketing Manager, Runtech Systems
INTRODUCTION:
Runtech Systems has expanded its EP Turbo Blower portfolio with a new model featuring Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB)
technology, marking a significant step forward in vacuum system reliability, energy efficiency, and tolerance to harsh papermaking
environments. The new AMB-enabled design aligns with the industry’s growing need for equipment that minimizes maintenance demands,
withstands contamination, and operates efficiently across rapidly changing machine conditions.
For years, Runtech’s vacuum system philosophy has
shifted the industry away from fixed vacuum levels and oversized
installations. Instead of adding more vacuum, Runtech applies
vacuum precisely where needed through variable speed EP Turbo
Blowers, optimized doctoring, and save all systems, supported
by EcoFlow online dewatering measurements. This integrated
approach stabilizes runnability, prevents energy waste, and reduces
drying costs by ensuring that vacuum responds dynamically to the
process rather than relying on static setpoints.
This adaptive philosophy is increasingly important as
papermaking processes become more challenging. Machine speed,
basis weight, and felt condition vary continuously, yet many mills
still operate with vacuum systems sized 40–60% above actual
requirements. New machines are commonly over-dimensioned,
and 昀椀xed vacuum settings often lock mills into inef昀椀cient operating
modes for most of the felt lifecycle. At the same time, many mills
face rising maintenance costs and reduced manpower availability.
These trends have created strong demand for equipment that can
run reliably with less attention while still delivering high performance.
“Working closely with our customers helps understand their
pain points and we wanted to address them. With
Active Magnetic Bearings, the rotor is levitated in a
magnetic 昀椀eld and supported without any physical
contact. This operation is frictionless and eliminates
the need for oil lubrication and removing the risk
of oil leakage. The absence of wear surfaces
signi昀椀cantly reduces maintenance requirements,
which is particularly valuable for mills operating with
limited technical staff,” says Aleksi Salmi, Engineering
Manager, Runtech Systems. The oil free design also
aligns with the broader industry shift toward energyef昀椀cient and operator-friendly, environmentally
sustainable technologies.
A New Dynamic with Active Magnetic Bearings
Rotating machinery, such as turbines,
electric motors and compressors, need to be well
balanced to minimize unbalance in a rotating part to
avoid vibration. Unbalance is a deviation between
the center of the mass and the geometric center
of the rotating shaft. This unbalance induces cyclic
centrifugal forces that lead vibration and in a worstcase bearing failure.
“A major advantage of AMB technology is its ability to
handle unbalance forces caused by contamination and material
carryover. Even with effective pre-separation and drop-separation
systems, small amounts of solids inevitably enter the blower and
can accumulate on the impeller over time. In normal 昀椀xed bearing/
rotor systems, this buildup leads to increased vibration, which will
reduced bearing lifetime and in that way is harmful in the long run,”
Aleksi explains.
Example of 昀椀xed bearing /rotor system
•
Rotating speed 9,600 rpm
•
14.6 grams on tip of the impeller will create 5 kN
(500kg) force. According to R&D testing done with
Runtech’s EP Turbo Blower, 5kN is enough to cause
vibration RMS values to be over 3.5 mm/s which is still
in the area on unrestricted operation according to ISI/
DIS 20816-3.
Image 1: RunEco EP1000 Turbo Blower with Active Magnetic
Bearings.
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