Employees at the Voith pilot facility in Heidenheim

Pilot trials at the Voith Paper Technology Centers

OPENING CEREMONY TEASER

Pilot operation facilities: get the full potential of your application

    Voith Paper Technology Centers worldwide are available for customers to pre-test equipment prior to purchase and help Voith engineers to analyze the efficiency and potential of their R&D activities.

    The Technology Centers are constantly updated with the latest machinery and pioneering production processes for the pulp and paper industry. From stock preparation, different paper machine configurations, coating units and calenders to the reel, new configurations can be tested. To minimize investment risks, we thus offer you the opportunity to assess the potential of a new machine or new technologies. All of our facilities are designed to be fully flexible so we can respond to your precise demands. 

    Our Technology Centers Contact our experts Download brochure

    Your benefits of the Voith pilot facilities

    • Testing and comparing of process and machine concepts
    • Optimization of raw materials and their treatments for different paper grades
    • Determination of operating parameters for start-up preparation
    • Minimization of investment risk with process test under realistic conditions
    • Development of new processes and products to generate unique selling points
    • Troubleshooting of your process without affecting production
    • Profit from our experts’ knowledge
    • Employee training

    Teaser

      Uwe Fröhlich, Senior Manager Pilot Operations
      The pilot plants in our research facilities enable targeted process analysis and offer extensive test capacities - also for new processes and paper grades. Together with our customers, we develop the best possible solution to increase machine efficiency and ensure production quality.
      Uwe Fröhlich, Senior Manager Pilot Operations

      Detailed information on our modernized pilot coater

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        English

        Based on many years of innovative research and development work, Voith presents its pilot coater globally.

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        Based on many years of innovative research and development work, Voith presents its pilot coater globally.

        ESPAÑOL

        Based on many years of innovative research and development work, Voith presents its pilot coater globally.
        • Push your projects forward - Voith Paper Technology Center Heidenheim

          Push your projects forward - Voith Paper Technology Center Heidenheim

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        Our Technology Centers

          Fiber

          Fiber Technology Center

          Fiber Technology Center

          In the Fiber Technology Center, we run stock preparation trials on primary and secondary furnish for our customers under production conditions for all paper grades. Single machine tests or complete system trials give the opportunity to boost yield, improve fiber properties, enhance cleanliness and identify possible energy savings. In connection with our pilot paper machine even comprehensive process trials from pulping to papermaking are possible. Our Fiber Technology Centers are located in Heidenheim, Germany, and Motomiya, Japan.

          The following process steps are available for your stock preparation trial:

          • Pulping
          • Refining
          • Deflaking
          • Screening and Fractionation
          • Cleaning
          • Flotating
          • Thickening and Washing
          • Dispersing
          • Bleaching

          Paper and Board

          Pilot machine in the Technology Center

          Paper and Board Technology Center

          Our pilot paper machine and different test rigs allow you to examine your process under real conditions. A vast range of different paper grades can be tested. Trials on specific pilot facilities like our headbox test rig and our pilot reel enable our customers to improve their processes or to perform targeted troubleshooting. Different former types, former settings, fabrics and chemical dosing can be tested during trials at our pilot paper machine.

          Trials can be performed on the following trial facilities:

          • Pilot paper machine with two approach flow systems for multi-layer trials
          • Pilot reel in industrial scale
          • Headbox test rig
          • Drying section

          Coating

          Coater inside the Fiber Technology Center

          Coating Technology Centers

          The pilot coater at our R&D center offers ideal conditions for studying the coating process under realistic conditions. The complete coating process for every grade from specialty to board can be examined with your base paper and coating color raw materials. We support you in developing new products like barrier papers.

          The following coating units are available at our pilot coater:

          • Single and multi-layer curtain coater (DynaLayer)
          • Film coaters (SpeedSizer)
          • Blade or rod coater with free jet applicator (JetFlow F)
          • Size press

          In addition, small scale trials can be performed at our curtain test-rig.

          Calendering

          Pilot calender at the Technology Center in Heidenheim

          Calendering Technology Center

          With our pilot calender, the best possible combination of nip pressure, temperature and roll surface for each grade can be determined for your products, whether they are board and packaging, speciality, or graphic papers. Our preconditioning equipment helps to simulate conditions as close to production as possible. In combination with our pilot coater, trials can be carried out that cover the entire finishing process.

          Our pilot calender (1x3 configuration) is equipped as follows:

          • Soft and hard nip calender (EcoCal Soft/Hard/Plus)
          • Moisturizer and steam boxes
          • IR panel
          • Climate chamber

          We also offer trials at our calender test-rig.

           

          Nonwovens

          Speciality Technology Center

          Nonwovens Technology Center

          The focus is on wet-laid processes at the Nonwovens Technology Center in Düren, Germany, where new forest-based and non-forest-based products can be developed and their manufacturing verified on an inclined former section. Here new Voith units (R&D) and individual machines for the wet-laid process are tested and perfected. The technology center is equipped with two pulpers, three machine chests, a refiner and deflaker to support you in developing new wet-laid products. The HydroFormer headbox and white water loop are suitable for 1, 2 and 3-ply tests.

          In the Nonwovens Technology Center, tests on the inclined wire simulate production conditions. By using our pilot plants, we ensure tailor-made machines that offer optimal performance at your facility from the first day. In addition, operating parameters can be determined to prepare for system commissioning at your paper mill. The clothing can also be tested and optimized beforehand.

          Key physical parameters can then be measured and evaluated in the adjacent laboratory.

          Laboratory

          Laboratory Voith

          Laboratory

          We provide the optimal analytical technology for fiber, paper and coating color. The samples taken from our pilot plant facilities are analyzed in the Voith laboratories using the latest techniques. This provides precise test data as a further basis for assessing the pilot plant results. You, as our customer, benefit from the scientific know-how of our laboratory specialists, as they can analyze samples from your own plants.

          In addition to the standard measurements we offer:


          Fiber

          • Fiber morphologies
          • Sticky and dirt speck analysis
          • Pulper, refiner, flotation in laboratory scale


          Paper

          • Tapio Analyzer
          • Contact angle, penetration
          • Print tests


          Coating Color

          • High shear viscosity
          • Elongational viscosity (CaBER)
          • Dynamic surface tension


          Others

          • Chemical analysis
          • Mechanical and thermo-mechanical analysis
          • Imaging analysis

          280
          280
          is the maximum surface temperature at our pilot calender XCal1.
          60000
          60000
          and more trial points were recorded during our coating trials since 1987.
          2
          2
          approach flow systems allow multi-layer trials at our pilot paper machine XPM1 using pulp prepared at our connected Fiber Technology Center.
          20
          20
          machines can be used for trials in our Fiber Technology Center which covers all steps of stock preparation in an environment close to production.


          10
          10
          liters is the minimum amount of coating color which is necessary to run trials at our curtain test rig.


          Voith pilot operation facilities worldwide

            Voith Paper Technology Centers worldwide provide the maximum flexibility. We help you to improve your products, develop new ones that meet your requirements, and fulfill your customers’ needs even further. 

            Speciality Technology Center Paper Machine
            Düren, Germany

            At the Specialty Technology Center in Düren, Germany, focus lays on wet-laid processes. Moreover, new forest-based and non-forest-based products can be developed and tested. Customers benefit from two pulpers, three machine chests, a refiner and deflaker that support the development of new wet-laid products. 

            • Wet-laid Nonwovens
            • Bank Notes

            Technology Center Heidenheim
            Heidenheim, Germany

            Technology centers in Heidenheim cover all stock preparation processes, paper machine testing as well as pilot coater and calender. Besides troubleshooting and the optimization of new processes, focus lays on the exploration of new furnish types, assistance in new product development and the comparison of different machine process concepts.

            • Board & Packaging
            • Specialty
            • Graphic
            • Stock Preparation
            • Paper Machine
            • Coating
            • Calendering

            Pilot Coater in Motomiya
            Motomiya, Japan

            Our trained experts at our Technology Center in Motomiya, Japan, support customers expecially from the APAC region and carry out trials regarding coating and stock preparation processes and new product developments. 

            • Coating
            • Stock Preparation

            Your contact to us

              Would you like to learn more about our pilot facilities? We are happy to answer your questions. 

              Uwe Fröhlich

              Senior Manager Pilot Operations

               

              t +49 7321 37 3895

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