Prüftechnik has unveiled its new laser shaft alignment systems - Boralign and Spindalign. As its name suggests, the Spindalign is specially designed to allow the easy alignment of machine tool spindles. The Boralign product is a completely new system for aligning bearing housings on equipment such as diesel engine crank and camshafts or small turbines and compressors. The German group's laser alignment systems reduce installation times dramatically, according to the supplier.

Stora Enso Paperboards has developed a new aluminum-free packaging system in conjunction with the Italian company, Italpack. The two companies collaborated on a project to provide a packaging solution for a vinaigrette mixture and used the Ensobarr coating barrier system to significantly extend the shelf life of the product. Ensobarr can also be used to pack sterilized products and offers cost savings over conventional systems, according to the group.

Winkler & Dünnebler unveiled a new unit for manufacturing pocket tissues at the Tissue World exhibition in France. The new model has 25% higher capacity than its predecessor and produces up to 8,000 pocket tissues per minute. Winkler & Dünnebler has also unveiled upgraded models of its ASX series of feminine hygiene production units. According to the German group, the new technology can deliver superior operating efficiency at high production speeds. The supplier also claims that at 90% efficiency, the unit sets a new technical standard for the industry.

Kelva of Sweden claims to be breaking new ground in terms of technology for dust removal in the corrugated sector. The supplier's web cleaner system for corrugated board is specially designed for handling large amounts of contaminants collected on the material surface. Kevla says that the cleaning system is fully automatic, requires little maintenance and is capable of cleaning various flute combinations with a maximum web width of 2.8 m and at speeds of 300 m/min. The unit also features photocells for sensing web breaks and production stoppages. The cell transmits a signal to a PLC computer, which adjusts the cleaning head to fully open, ready for restart.

The Italian supplier, Feltri Marone, has set up a web site devoted to corrugator belts, including sections on troubleshooting and tricks of the trade. The site can be found at www.feltrimarone.com.

Lamb Europe plans to exhibit a number of new technological developments at the SPCI show in Stockholm in June. The company supplies a wide range of roll handling and wrapping systems to the industry, but it is particularly keen to stress the benefits of its Ecowrap wrapping line concept.

Neles Controls has launched its Field Browser System, which makes it possible to monitor smart field instruments for operational status and performance changes from any computer with an intranet or internet connection. The unit can send priority warnings on valves etc to mill personnel via web page, e-mail or mobile phone before processes are disturbed. Neles has also announced the introduction of a new product solution that combines a control valve, valve diagnostics and a flowmeter. The Nelflow handles flow control and measurement at a single point.

Avatron in Finland has developed a new generation of porosity analyzer. The Microperm 600 Smart makes it possible to control the measurement process more accurately and eliminate disturbances such as air leakage, loss of pressure and the effects of excess air being brought in by the web. The system can be used to measure nonwovens, filter papers, glass fibers and very dense sheets.

The German group, VIB, has announced the launch of its new Steam Profiler Plus system, which the company says can offer superior moisture profile control. The unit features a new steam valve that provides direct position feedback to process control computers and displays. The new Positrak valve employs a unique inductive feedback feature on the valve stem to provide direct valve position indication. Previously, individual valve movements could only be determined from the actual moisture feedback from the process. The Steam Profiler Plus delivers high velocity steam across the web in control zones as small as 50 mm, enabling the unit to correct very small streaks.

RKB Opto-Electronics has announced the immediate availability of its new Multicolor Spray Marking System. When integrated with the appropriate web inspection systems, the Model 1280 unit allows operators to positively mark the types and locations of defects in web materials. The unit can apply up to five different colors of ink, which can be detected by online sensors for the automatic control of subsequent processing equipment such as coaters, slitters, sheeters and rewinders, according to the US company.

The Brazilian company, Pilao, has introduced what it describes as a revolutionary new concept in conical refiners. According to the supplier, the TriConic Refiner incorporates three cones instead of the standard two, which significantly improves throughput, provides greater options for fiber development, reduces energy requirements and takes up less floor space. The TriConic Refiner is sold and serviced in the USA by Lawton, based in DePere, Wisconsin.

The automation division of the Swiss-Swedish group, ABB, has launched the Accuray Smart Fiber Orientation Sensor - a device that measures both sides of the sheet at the same time. The supplier believes that the new system will provide mills with a useful tool to combat runnability problems in various grades during printing and converting. ABB Automation based the sensor system on the concept of laser arc polarization, which allows high fiber sensitivity while minimizing interference from fillers, gloss and other surface variables. The sensor utilizes pulsed infrared laser beams directed at both sides of the sheet.

Through air drying (TAD) technology is set to claim a significant share of the European tissue market and Asia and Latin America are set to follow suit. That is the claim being made by Beloit, which estimates that 20% of European tissue output will be manufactured using TAD technology in 2000. The US company and Germany's Fleissner group have teamed up to develop the potential of the technology, which they claim produces softer, bulkier tissue using less fiber.