b'CREPING PROCESS EFFICIENCIESOptimizing bulk via the creping processBy Mark Christopher, Global Market Development Manager, Tissue, BuckmanINTRODUCTION GENERATING BULK VIA THE CREPING PROCESS This is done in order to produce a On a Light Dry Creped (LDC) tissueWith the modern equipment and highrather nebulous characteristic that the machine, many things play a role inquality furnish available, it is possibleend customer refers to as: softness.the final bulk or caliper of the finishedto be able to start up a new tissueThis stated softness is composed sheet. From the fiber preparation areamachine and be making saleable, highof the following main tactile sensory through to winding we can identify thequality tissue within hours. Previouscharacteristics 1,2,3:main process drivers as: barriers to entry for manufacturersBulk Softness: property measures Fiber type related to process patents,include compression, tensile Refining strategy organizational knowledge, channelstiffness, elongation, bending Forming wire design to market and access to high qualitystiffness, and sonic modulus. Forming section set up fiber no longer apply in most cases. Surface Smoothness: property Suction pressure roll nip design It has become quite easy, relativelymeasures include texture and Drying bias (hood vs Yankee) speaking, to make decent tissue atfriction.Creping process high speeds. What now contributes Winding process greatly to separating good from greatBeyond the improvement in perceived in the tissue market is dependent onhandfeel, bulk/caliper is important to This article will deal predominatelyan organizations ability to leveragethe tissue manufacturer from a cost with the creping process as it relatesmaximum value creation through theand marketing perspective. All things to optimizing bulk on bath andcreping process. being equal, increased bulk can be facial grades on LDC machines, andconsidered a banked currency that assertions made here within can beThe creping process, more than anymanufacturers can spend or leverage taken as assuming all other parametersother step in the tissue making chain,in a variety of ways.being equal. The intention is to helpis what determines the final products clarify methods for increasing bulkcharacteristics. It is the most efficientThis is easy to understand in terms generation via the creping processmanner of debonding and bulking theof the ranges quoted above for and dispel common misconceptionssheet structure. property adjustment via the creping regarding generating bulk at the crepingprocess in Table 1. A manufacturer blade. In light dry crepe, running the formedcapable of generating 10% more base sheet through the crepingbulk than its competitor through the A paper machine operator will oftenprocess results in the following property seek to impact bulk via adjustments tocreping process is provided with the following creping parameters: adjustments: The crepingmultiple potential ROI streams for that Total strength of-40 to -80% process,excellence. Some of the ways he has 1.Crepe ratio the sheet more thanthe potential to do this are as follows:2.Creping pocket angle Bulk +200 to 350% any otherImprove efficiency:3.Creping moisture step in the1.Reduce basis weight while Unfortunately, a lack of understandingStretch unlimited tissue makingmaintaining bulk specification: of the basic physical properties beingchain, is whatReduced fiber cost per caseimpacted often leads to less thanBasis weight + 10 to 35% determines2.Reduce crepe ratio while desired results. Let us examine in detailAbsorbency + 200% the finalmaintaining bulk specification: what is happening at the blade throughproductsIncreased production ratesadjustment of each of these parameters. Table 1.characteristics.3.Reduce sheet count while 22 TISSUE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL'