An Experimental Investigation of the Creping Process in Low-Density Paper Manufacturing

Abstract

In this paper, a unique apparatus for the laboratory simulation and analysis of the creping process is described. The device consists of a fluid-heated micro-yankee dryer, 25.4 cm (10 inches) in diameter, and 8.25 cm (3.25 inches) wide, and a creping blade engaging system mounted on a three-component piezoelectric load cell. Mechatronics design principles were followed to design the device so that discrete paper samples can be creped at speeds over 250 meters/minute. The device has been used to study the effect of various manufacturing process parameters such as the creping adhesive type, concentration (application rate), creping geometry (creping angle), machine speed, and moisture content in the sheet at the time of creping, and their influence on sheet structure and creping forces. A mechanistic description of the creping process is also presented. [S1087-1357(00)02102-X]