Hydraulic training availability and three oil filtration tips

Over the past several years, we have created a number of practical hydraulics Up & Running articles about different topics concerning hydraulics and how they are used on papermaking equipment. Papermaking involves large and often complex hydraulic control circuits. Take the press section as an example where large nip loading forces are controlled by use of hydraulics. Dryer section fabric stretchers, calenders, reels, unwinds, and winders all of which use hydraulics.

Hydraulics are a reliable and safe means of controlling large equipment. They are efficient and perform without issues. However, there are rare times when a hydraulic component(s) fails to operate as designed. Troubleshooting hydraulics can be a difficult and sometimes risky endeavor – especially since technicians are not familiar with all of the circuits in the mill. Changing or adjusting the wrong part can cause more issues than you had before the change.

Valmet engineers design hydraulic circuits. They are great resources to discuss issues you are facing. They are experienced in field troubleshooting as well and available to perform on site troubleshooting and/or training for mill personnel. Every mill should have at least one hydraulic expert to go to with hydraulic problems. If you would like more information regarding hydraulic problems you are seeing or would like to pursue hydraulic training classes, contact your Valmet representative.

Hydraulic oil filtering

Oil straight out of the new barrel may be new oil, but that doesn’t mean it is clean oil. When filling oil reservoirs used to operate equipment with small tolerances (which means pretty much all uses that paper makers have), a clean filter should be used between the transfer pump and the reservoir. You cannot rely only on the oil filter in the supply lines from the pump. And always remember the following 3 rules in order to maximize oil life and guarantee problem free operation of the hydraulic components – keep the oil clean, keep it cool and keep it dry.

For more information about improving your hydraulics expertise, contact your Valmet representative.