AI machine vision system for Progroup’s world record setting PM2

Valmet has confirmed it will deliver its first artificial intelligence (AI) based Valmet IQ Web Inspection System (WIS) to Progroup’s PM2 in Eisenhüttendstadt, Germany. The PM2 has been a speed record-setter since its start-up in 2010 and the new machine vision system aims to help increase the machine speed even further.

“We selected Valmet’s machine vision system as it provides an advanced technical setup,” says Karl Achleitner, Senior Vice President, Operations Paper, Progroup. “With the use of artificial intelligence, we are consistently continuing Progroup’s strict digitisation course. Consistently searching and using innovations is part of our DNA.”

At the core of the solution is the Valmet Industrial Internet (VII) providing the ability to combine data from multiple platforms in the mill and take web inspection analytics to a totally new level. Included in the delivery is a winder control package to take the fullest advantage of the new web inspection capabilities.

“This is the most comprehensive machine vision order we have received, with web inspection and web monitoring fully integrated into the Valmet DNA Automation System,” says Marko Toskala, Director, Quality Management Systems, Automation, Valmet. “For the first time, the Valmet Industrial Internet enables the real-time combination of WIS data with other process and quality system information to radically improve problem solving efficiency. With advanced data processing, defect and anomaly prediction is vastly improved and changes or interruptions to production can be reduced more effectively.”

Progroup’s PM2’s last 24-hour world record of 1,751 m/min was set in 2019. During the record run, the 10.85m wide PM2 produced fluting at a basis weight of 80gsm with an overall efficiency of 94%, which was the seventh PM2 world record overall.

“The world records are irrefutable proof of the technology Progroup and Valmet have built into PM2 and the excellent expertise with which our employees maintain and operate the machine. What is outstanding is that the PM2 is still setting new records over 10 years after it was commissioned, thanks to the interaction between people and technology,” says Achleitner.

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