Steam-Foil

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High performance dramatic improvements in layflat, dimensional stability, moisture, and sheet finish typical payback six months or less.

Features/Benefits

Highest thermal heat transfer for unparalleled profilable curl, moisture, and gloss control
"Instant-on" capability without spitting or dripping
Integral vacuum system removes excess non-condensed steam
Accurate, repeatable flow control through stepper motor-driven valves - no pneumatic interface required
High temperature, moisture-proof digital stepper motors with waterproof electrical connections (mil spec.)
Reduced steam consumption (50% more efficient than conventional steam showers)
Permanently resets the curl memory state so product lies flat through a wider range of environmental conditions
Produces highest gloss and smoothness values of any steam shower available today
Clean Rust free operation with rugged 304 or 316 stainless steel construction

Major Advance in Steam Shower Technology

The patented Kadant Web Systems Steam-Foil' is the first real breakthrough in steam shower technology in over 30 years. Extensive research and development, combined with the experience gained in more than 700 steam shower installations on paper machines, coaters and printing presses worldwide lead to its development. The research focused on delivering superior curl and moisture control for a wide variety of applications ... from highly sensitive thermal grades to highly moisture-resistant release liners. The Steam-Foil's design combines the high efficiency of the Coanda nozzle with an integral vacuum chamber and preheated steam jacket. The result is unparalleled performance without the problems of dripping typically associated with conventional steam showers. The Steam-Foil further provides superior energy transfer, precise and selective control of steam, and operating economies through a more efficient design.

Typical Applications

The Steam-Foil is used in a variety of applications to control moisture, curl, and surface finish gloss and smoothness.

Coaters - The Steam-Foil is typically used to control layflat characteristics of the web while increasing dimensional stability from the factory to the end user.

Supercalenders & Soft Calenders - The Steam-Foil is used to control smoothness and gloss by raising the web's temperature closer to the gloss transition temperature. This allows the calender to increase both smoothness and gloss more efficiently.

Sheeters & Slifters - On sheeters and slifters, the Steam-Foil is used to control both cross-machine direction and roll-set curl by relieving the stresses in the web. The alleviation of stress allows the web to layflat under a wide range of environmental condi- tions, from manufacture to delivery to the customer.

Applications for coated/printed Paper
Applications for paperboard
Applications for silicone and laminated products

Steam-Foil Control Systems

The KWS Steam-Foil control system (TWS Net Control) is designed to be a stand alone or act as an integral extension of a process computer. In either manual or automatic mode, the system gives the operator real-time Steam-Foil status information as well as full and immediate control capabilities. The control system includes:

Color screen control station
Manual "open loop'control or automatic "closed loop" control when used with on-line gauging system
Capacity to store up to 20 profile selections
Automatic profile recovery following sheet break brings sheet properties up to specification in controlled increments to assure smooth machine start-up
Individual nozzles can be controlled in selected groups for control of web segments
"One touch" full shut-off
"One touch" override control
Digital actuator
Rated for 40, 000 hours MTBF
Control resolution to 5, 000 steps (0% to I 00%)

Features and Construction

The Steam-Foil utilizes Coanda effect nozzle flow to provide significant production advantages. Heat transfer efficiency is greatly enhanced because steam flows counter to the sheet direction. Further, the Coanda effect counterflow eliminates entrained air and assures sheet stability on an unsupported web.The steam-heated chamber maintains an outer surface temperature above the saturation point, eliminating dripping during machine start-up and operation. This permits mounting of the Steam-Foil in any orientation without restriction. It also enables the system to have "instant-on" capabilities, meaning start-up can occur after a sheet break without the associated problems of spitting and dripping. Precise cross-web control is possible because valves and nozzles can profile down to 3-inch sections.

General Specifications

Maximum steam pressure: 15 PSIG (I 05 KPa)
Infinite, accurate repeatable flow control
Profile vacuum control option
Digital valve control (non-pneumatic)
Profiling capability down to 3" centers
Quick disconnect components for easy user maintenance without machine downtime
Application-matched mountinglretraction system (automatic or manual)
Communications capability with any process measurement system (Measurex,Tm Accuracy)