Integrating drive systems for industrial automation in high-capacity paper manufacturing

ABB has entered an agreement with Guangxi Jianhui Paper Co. to deploy a complete paper machine drive system for the PM8 production line at its facility in Guangxi, China. This installation is part of an integrated forestry-pulp-paper project initiated in October 2023, which aims for an annual capacity of 3.672 million metric tons.

The cooperation addresses the high mechanical and electrical demands of high-end packaging paper manufacturing. To achieve process stability and throughput on a large scale, the companies are combining Guangxi Jianhui Paper's production infrastructure with ABB's automation and electrification expertise.

Technical architecture and responsibilities
ABB is responsible for delivering the drive system architecture, engineering support, installation guidance, and commissioning services. The core technical solution includes:

The system operates via Direct Torque Control (DTC) technology, which allows precise motor speed and torque regulation without encoders, ensuring performance under dynamic load changes and low-speed conditions. To isolate the system from electromagnetic interference, the PM8 line utilizes fiber-optic communication networks for control data transmission.

The engineering design incorporates original du/dt filters to protect motor insulation by mitigating voltage spikes and minimizing shaft currents. Maintenance networks are separated from control traffic to allow diagnostics without interrupting production.

System implementation and safety standards
The drive system is scheduled for commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2026. Integration into the PM8 line focuses on reducing structural footprint and electrical complexity through simplified cabinet designs, which clarify physical access for maintenance personnel.

The control interface utilizes paper industry-specific software from ABB, featuring preconfigured process libraries. This application software stabilizes the speed grid of the paper machine across varying grades of tension. For operational safety, the infrastructure complies with Performance Level e (PL e) safety functions, requiring redundant architectures to prevent hazardous failures.

Expected operational impact
The technical implementation targets specific performance parameters to establish high process efficiency. Utilizing low-voltage AC motors coupled with ACS880 multidrives optimizes energy consumption by sharing a common DC bus, allowing braking energy from one section to be redistributed to other motor sections. The combination of DTC technology, du/dt filtering, and fiber-optic isolation is engineered to reduce unplanned downtime and lower lifecycle maintenance costs on the production line.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

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