Saica Orders PM 11 Line for New Mill in England

Saica Containerboard has ordered a new paper machine and winder sectional drive systems from ABB, Switzerland, for the PM 11 production line at its new mill located in Manchester, England. The same ABB technology is used on Saica's PM 10 production line. PM 11 will startup in January 2012.

ABB's PMC800 Direct Drive solution reportedly will reduce overall equipment investment costs by eliminating gear boxes, encoders, primary couplings, gear lubrication. ABB's unique Direct Torque Control (DTC), combined with AC800 drives control system, will enable encoderless motor control and operation.

In addition to eliminating the external gears boxes, the Direct Drive solution provides energy savings throughout the system lifecycle. Its 16 installed permanent magnet motors are mostly located at the dryer, representing less than 20% of the total drive power. Dryer section electrical energy losses are 17% lower than that of a traditional drive system, with estimated energy savings over 20 years projected at more than $400,000. ABB's solution requires less maintenance and minimizes downtime, as well as reduces initial construction costs, resulting in lower overall system lifetime costs.

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