Presona engineering skills help Smurfit Kappa save money on “double” extraction system

When Smurfit Kappa bought a super modern laminator for its plant in Nybro, Sweden, a problem presented itself: How could the new machine run in parallel with the old laminator without a totally separate (and costly) trim extraction system for the newcomer?

Smurfit Kappa’s Nybro (Sweden) plant produces good-looking cardboard, the kind used for packages on display – boxes for bag-in-box wines, for example. When the cardboard is cut to the correct shapes needed for the end product, trims is generated. These cardboard clippings are transported via pipes in the ceiling and on the roof of the building to a pair of compactors standing outside. From there the compacted trim is transported away from the plant.

Extraction needed

When Smurfit Kappa decided to upgrade their machinery they contacted longtime supplier Presona to help with the trim extraction.

– The big challenge was that we wanted to run both the old and the new laminator at the same time while we conducted tests and staff training on the new equipment, says Smurfit Kappa operations manager Eric Johansson.

The simple solution would have been to build a totally new and separate trim extraction system for the new machine, but Smurfit Kappa wanted to keep as much as possible of the old Presona extraction system which has been working very well for many years. This way Smurfit Kappa would save money and keep a system they knew was functioning as it should be. The solution: An expanded system that shares several vital components like the main fan, filter and compactors.

Video above: The laminator can make cardboard with different widths. In the video, the telescoping pipes are adjusting to gather trim from the correct spot.

Air pressure can be tricky

While that may sound easy, actually doing it is another thing completely. Working with air pressure and transporting materials with the help of fans can be challenging – especially if you want a robust and reliable solution that will keep going and going and going…

Presona has extensive experience in finding solutions for demanding use cases and this challenge was no different. Smurfit Kappa is very happy with the delivery.

– Presona delivered a better solution than the one we ordered. The Presona team is solution-oriented and we received many good suggestions during our discussions with them, says Smurfit Kappa maintenance manager Kalevi Nordström.

When the new laminator is fully up and running the old machine will be decommissioned with several of its extraction system parts serving as spares for the new sections of the system.