PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL From invisible losses to measurable gains: Why connecting the right technologies matters more than ever. Nicole Buschmeier, Owner, KPNB

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Image 1: Pixact Camera Pixscope.
Image 2: Pixact Assembly Works.
The Pixact system continuously monitors the 昀椀bre
suspension using integrated camera technology, delivering real-time
data on particle count, size and type. By installing measurement
points before and after the bleaching stage, Sappi Ehingen gains
immediate insight into process performance and can react quickly
to deviations. A decisive factor is the customised classi昀椀cation of
contaminants, tailored to the mill’s speci昀椀c raw materials, equipment
and product portfolio.
In addition to contaminant detection, the system provides
real-time brightness trend monitoring and enables ef昀椀cient
evaluation of chemical treatments—reducing laboratory workload
and accelerating optimisation cycles.
Following the successful implementation in Ehingen,
Pixact systems have also been deployed at other Sappi sites,
demonstrating the scalability and impact of real-time 昀椀bre monitoring
solutions.
For KPNB, this level of individualisation is a key reason
for partnering with Pixact. As every mill operates under unique
conditions, tailored solutions are essential to achieve meaningful
and sustainable process improvements.
Screen Basket Monitoring: Predictive Maintenance, Reducing
Web Breaks and Quality Loss
A further step towards increased process reliability was
implemented at an integrated pulp and paper mill. Here, a Pixact
system monitors the combined accept 昀氀ow of several screens
upstream of the paper machine. The occurrence of unwanted
particles in this stream immediately signals a developing issue—
such as screen basket damage or advanced wear.
Instead of time-consuming trial-and-error inspection, the
source can be narrowed down quickly. Maintenance can then be
planned and executed during the next scheduled shutdown, rather
than requiring unplanned intervention. This targeted approach
not only reduces maintenance effort but also prevents disruptive
contaminants from reaching the paper machine—minimising the risk
of sheet breaks and quality losses.
Pixact key operational bene昀椀ts include:
•
real-time process transparency and faster corrective
actions
•
reduced chemical consumption through targeted
optimisation
•
improved and more stable pulp/stock quality
•
signi昀椀cantly lower laboratory workload
•
early detection of equipment issues enabling predictive
maintenance
•
increased production reliability and reduced risk of web
breaks
Return on investment:
• payback period of approximately six months
• measurable cost savings in chemicals and
process ef昀椀ciency
• reduced unplanned downtime and improved
maintenance planning
Check the QR codes to see what Pixact customers see in
their process.
Image 3: Pixact Display for Stock Monitoring.
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