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ROLLS: METSO REVAMPS AIKEN FACILITY

AIKEN, SC — Metso Paper has rebuilt the Aiken, SC, thermal spray coating facility to use the “best practice, knowledge and experience in this field,” according to the Aiken service centre manager, Juha Keskiivari. Beloit-Manhattan was the previous owner of the plant before Metso took it over in May 2000. Ceramic covers for press rolls are the biggest users of thermal coating. Aiken is the first location in North America to use Metso’s “third generation” of thermal coating and Metso has consolidated its production there. The plant was chosen because of the large number of big paper machines — 250-in. plus — in the southeast and the importance of being close to its customers. Ceramic covers can be used for all paper grades, from newsprint to fine papers. Besides ceramic, the Aiken plant can also create rubber, polyurethane or composite coverings. Carbide coverings for calender rolls are also produced. R&D is going on in the areas of application, deposit efficiency and coating density. Research is also being done to determine what type of ceramic and surface characteristics are needed for the various furnishes and paper grades. The goal is improved paper machine runnability.

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