nextlevel
by Voith Paper — N° 01.2017

p.

08

Customer-driven
innovationp.

18

The global demand for
packaging paper

p.

32

To the next level ofpapermaking

Eco-friendly trophies:
inspiring works of art for the paper industry

The art of sustainability

02 Editorial

Editorial

Content 03

Content
Zoom
04 Healing powers
A close-up of the systemthat repairs as it rolls

News
06 A quick round-up
From the world of Voith Paper

07

innovate
A look at key trends

This year, as we celebrate 150 years oflasting milestones, we also look forward to a future of innovation. Over theyears, we have developed, honed andapplied our expertise to design the
optimal solutions for raising profitability
and efficiency of our customers to thenext level – from products and components through plant engineering anddigitization to perfectly tailored service
packages. As the technology leader,
we are already developing tomorrow’s
solutions today, and are working withour customers to make paper production smarter and more sustainable.
Customer orientation and excellence are the foundations of everything
we do at Voith. These two dimensions
will bring added value to our customers
and help shape a competitive andsustainable industry, as we hope weshowcase in this first issue of nextlevel,
our new Voith Paper Customer Magazine.
Enjoy the journey and the read!
Yours sincerely,

Bertram Staudenmaier
CEO, Voith Paper

08 Customized innovation
How a smart ecosystem andtailored pilot trials are driving
cutting-edge R&D

26 How do we thrive in this
digital age?
Fernando Carroquino, SAICA
Paper, in conversation withFrank Opletal, Voith Paper
29 Beyond e-commerce
Online shopping with adistinct edge
30 A strategic focus
New responsibilities in paper
technology and service

31

reflect
A round-up of expert views

12 Driving support
Why the Voith OnCall Mobile
service stands out in the US

32 To the next level
How the benefits of digital
disruption are shaping up

16 Spotlight on smart service
Dr. Dieter Wenninger on thevalue of first-class support

34 A sharper vision for
papermaking
CEO Bertram Staudenmaier
outlines his vision and views

17

transform
An overview of change

18 Boost supply
From Asia to Europe: the
XcelLine solution is changing
production
24 Targeting costs
Optimizing processes withdigital tools
25 Components of highperformance
Equipment andfabrics for efficiency

38 The roots of future
innovations
Key Voith milestones as thebasis for the Next 150 Years
40 At the leading edge
Saving fibers, adding stability

08
08

Voith’s pilot machinesprovide opportunities toinnovate with customers

26

12

The Voith OnCall Mobile service
provides a hassle-free, tailoredcheck-up from the experts

Digitize theprocesses
to reduce
the costs
long term

24

The new way ofworking requires amore open mind

41 Q&A
Origami-inspired engineering

The eco-friendly
alternative to classic
animal trophies. Edgy,
majestic, sustainable:
PAPERTROPHY by
Holger Hoffmann

nextlevel N° 01.201718
N° 01.2017 nextlevel

A state-of-the-art
start-up for Sun PaperZoom 5

Healing powers
Steel ball bearings are essential components in spreader rolls, but over time they
become damaged and also cause considerable damage to the
raceways. Unlike ceramic balls. As ceramic is harder than steel, the material canwithstand the millions of rolling movements during production far better.
What’s more, ceramic balls have the capacity to polish, smooth and “heal” anyimperfections on the raceway surfaces caused by the tiny particles that
often break off during operational life. “Combined with a very special design for
spreader roll bearings, it takes just one ceramic ball to provide self-healing
power for a longer life,” highlights Thomas Weisshappl,
Director Spreader Roll Global, Voith Paper.

Steel Ball

1,500 times a minute91,000 times an hour
2.2 million times a day

742 million times a year

2.2 billion rotations in a lifetime
With ceramic, the EvoStretch spreader roll is more resilient.

Ceramic Ballnicht lektoriert
Section 7

06 News

News
A quick round-up

The optimal start for efficiency
In stock preparation, a uniform flow is essential
for stock quality and fiber efficiency, which is
why Voith’s disperser filling, TheWall, is now thebenchmark for the industry. Hartmut Langner,Specialist in Paper Manufacturing at Varel, thepaper and board manufacturer in Germany, confirms: “Quality fluctuations in the raw material
can be more readily compensated for with
TheWall, meaning that the product quality is kept
at a consistently high level.” In use at Varel since
May 2016, TheWall’s longer durability has otherbenefits, as Langner adds: “The continuous
structure of TheWall lowers the risk of material
fractures, making it possible for us to reduce unplanned downtimes and save on costs.”

Perfectly aligned for retention

90%

Average fabric permeability retention
levels of 90% in the dryer sector
require an optimal alignment of equipment and fabrics. This is ensured
with DryMax, part of Voith’s innovative
portfolio of AdvancedPRODUCTS. The
optimal combination of CleanWeavedryer fabrics with the DuoCleaner
Express cleaning system results ina perfect alignment and performanceof fabrics and equipment, lowering
operating costs and ensuring fewer
breaks. FormMax and PressMax arealso available as part of the portfolioof AdvancedPRODUCTS.

“Voith provides
the required
know-howfor complex
Servolution
situations=
Serviceand can solve+
Evolution
any issue –with upgrades,
adjustments or
optimization.”In-depth customer
insight has defineda new Voith Paper
service portfolio:

Equipment
Services
Executingequipment-relatedparts and services

Process Services
Supporting
optimization ofcustomer processes

Productivity
Services
Offering value
agreements for
productivity
increase

Integrated
Partnership
Taking over
responsibility forservice processes

p. 07

innovate

Erik Forsberg,
Manager Service Development, Voith Paper

A closer look at innovative technology,
people and solutions

Total trust for a close partnership
Papel Aralar S.A., the producer of 90,000 tonsof uncoated and coated special papers annually, runs a complex operation in northern Spainthat requires a sophisticated maintenance service. Since 2013, Voith has provided 24/7 support for the company’s four paper machines in
the area. The success of this long-term, ongoing commitment lies in Voith’s strengths, experience and ability to provide tailored support. With
long-term sustainable development always frontof mind at Voith, customers benefit from reliable
execution by highly skilled personnel. Their defined methods ensure the equipment is always
operating well. Whatever the challenges, however tricky, complex or risky the tasks are, they
are dealt with professionally, as the partners in
Spain confirm. Jesús Usabiaga, Technical Manager at Papel Aralar, and Luis Sarobe, Maintenance Manager at Voith, sum up the partnership in just a few words: “We get it together.”
nextlevel N° 01.2017

p. 16

A three-in-one solution
Performance improvement of Fourdrinier forming
sections is the challenge – the solution is VForm.
Allowing a continuous and optimal adjustment of the foil
angle by up to 7°, and of the height by 5 mm, VForm’s
significant flexibility can achieve up to a 10% increase information and tensile strength, as well a 100% increasein dewatering, depending on the furnish and activity
level. Connectivity to ComCore, the Voith digitization
platform, allows for monitoring and improving efficiency.
“With VForm, we have a unique, three-in-one solution that
improves productivity, enables a broader productrange and is also Papermaking 4.0–ready,” highlights
Dr. Thomas Jaschinski, Global Product Manager. For newbuilds or retrofits of most hydrofoil boxes.

N° 01.2017 nextlevel08 innovate

innovate 09

Customized
innovation
Close collaboration at the Voith Paper Innovation Center
sparks customer-oriented, cutting-edge productdevelopment. Real-world and virtual testing is at the core.

“There’s a constant bouncing
back and forth of ideas,” explains
Uwe Fröhlich, Senior Manager Pilot
Operations at the Voith Paper Innovation Center in Heidenheim. “We build
on each other’s strengths, ideas andexpertise, which gives us the spark
to innovate further, for our customers and for us.”Innovative solutions are not createdin isolation, but within a collaborative
team, working in real-life conditions, inthe laboratory and also in the virtualworld – with a focus on the customer
and the market. In Heidenheim, thiskind of push-pull, pick-and-mix support is driving innovation in thepaper industry.
Acutely aware of enormous complexity in papermaking, Voith Paper
has created a smart ecosystem in its
Innovation Center. This is where acompetent team with experience

Pilot opportunities
The Voith Paper Technology Centers in
Heidenheim provide customers
with a range of tailored pilot opportunities
to test and optimize processes.

1. Stock preparation
2. Paper machines
3. Coater
4. Calender

Three additional Voith Technology
Centers offer flexible facilities for specificpaper grades and processes.

1. Specialty Paper, Düren, Germany
2. Tissue, São Paulo, Brazil
3. Stock Preparation & Coating,Motomiya, Japan

across the whole papermaking processprovides the know-how customers
seek to grow their businesses. It is ahigh-tech sandbox for innovation.
Carefully tailored trials
At the core are the individual Technology
Centers. They provide the processes
and systems customized for specificapplications. The brand-new Fiber
Technology Center, for instance, offers
customers the opportunity to carry out
trials of all main elements of stock
preparation. At all the Centers, customers can bring materials for tailored
trials in all aspects of papermaking inreal-world conditions, in order to
optimize their own production lines.
“Our customers understandably
demand convincing results before“We build on eachother’s strengths, ideas
and expertise.”

they will adopt any new technologies,”says Fröhlich. “Our established innovation processes guarantee results.”
nextlevel N° 01.2017

Uwe Fröhlich
Senior Manager Pilot Operations

N° 01.2017 nextlevel10 innovate

innovate 11“It is a multiscale approach onso many levels. My team’s
focus is on breakthrough anddisruptive technology.”
Pilot Machines
Providing real-world tests prior
to rebuilds, investments or adaptations.

Laboratory
Using analytical technology for fiber, paperand coating color.

Simulation
Designing solutions with cutting-edge
tools and techniques.

Dr. Michael Weiss
Senior Manager Simulation

Dr. Tina Mutschler agrees. “It is a robust process that has been tried,tested and proven to meet customers’ needs and the ongoing changes
in the papermaking industry,” sheexplains. As the Senior Manager
Central Laboratory, Mutschler and herteam provide precise test data as afurther basis for assessing the pilot
plant results, using, for instance, highaccuracy tomographic imaging of paper machine clothing. “Innovation depends very much on trial and error,
supported by close monitoring andsharing of results. Collaboration withcustomers is really essential,” she says.
“It is a multiscale approach onso many levels,” adds Dr. Michael
Weiss, Senior Manager Simulation.
“My team’s focus is on breakthroughand disruptive technologies, with anemphasis on speeding up productdevelopment. We make use of abroad portfolio of methods andtechniques, ranging from basic simulation of physics and processes todata analytics and modeling.” At the
Simulation Center, new clothing designs are carried out using virtual prototyping and analysis tools. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and processsimulation are vital techniques in optimization of design and performance of
products and machinery equipment.

Pilot runs in thecalendering ensure aclose match to reality.

New product development
The advantages of this flexible threeleveled approach using pilot machines,
laboratory and simulation is evident inVoith’s own R&D. Key developments

Creating virtual prototypes helps predict andassess product performance.

nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevelin curtain coating were the result of
in-depth trials on the pilot coaters in
Heidenheim and Motomiya, Japan,
supported by the laboratory and advanced CFD and process simulations
to evaluate alternative environmental
conditions. “Together, we developed
our DF Coat to ensure the highest
reliability and runability, reduced
power consumption, as well as increased flexibility,” says Fröhlich.
Similar collaborative work led to thedevelopment of the EclipseR screening
rotor and its exceptional novel foil
design based on winglet technology,
which ensures an energy reductionof up to 35% compared with old generation rotors – a clear advantage forcustomers.
Key pillars for innovation
Crucial to any innovation is the big picture. At Voith, this is obtained with
Foresight Management. Often the firststep in the innovation process, it combines five key pillars – Trend Analysis,
Technology Foresight, Customer Foresight, Consumer Foresight and Radical
Technologies. As it involves a development cycle of constant analysis andrefinement, Foresight Management targets ways to fill R&D project pipelines
and anticipate customer needs.
Value creation for customers
This customer-oriented approach provides a hybrid technology push andmarket pull to deliver a sustainable
offering. At the Voith Paper Innovation
Center, the objective is giving
customers value creation and the technological and competitive edge in a
cost-effective way, as Fröhlich emphasizes: “We support our customers
with a wide range of expertise to
create customized solutions and tohelp prepare the industry for the
next industrial age.”12 innovate

innovate 13

Driving
support1
Accustomed toan early start:
Tim Nevius
in the driver’s seat.

2
All on board:
checking the
cutting-edge
equipment andcrucial parts.

3
Tools at the ready:specialized state-ofthe-art equipment
belongs on every
journey.

| 7:30 a.m. |Local, fast, competent and personal.
How the Voith OnCall Mobile service reduces
downtime and ensures a smootherproduction in Jacksonville, Florida, US.

1

3

Tim Nevius is headed out to Jacksonville, Florida, US, this morning for Voith’s
OnCall Mobile service. As a Field Service Engineer, he performs inspections, maintenanceand repairs on machines at mills within a 250mile radius. Two main factors are crucial for his
work: his experience and a high-tech van
stocked with specialized state-of-the-art
equipment and critical items.
On arrival, Nevius inspects the DuoCleaner
that uses highly pressurized water to clean the
fabric mesh that carries the paper as it forms.
Much of Voith’s machinery is calibrated to precise specs. The nozzles, for example, containsapphire inserts with diameter openings of
0.1–1.7 mm. Nevius has developed a feel for
those minute tolerances. “Because of my yearsof experience, I’ve got a good eye for this,”he says.

2
Efficient

PremiumVoith OnCall Mobile
providescustomer-friendly
field service.

Guaranteeing lessdowntime –and substantial
cost savings.

“Because of
my years ofexperience,| 11:00 a.m. || 8:15 a.m. |I’ve got a goodeye for this.”
Tim Nevius, Field Service Engineer

nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevel14 Section

innovate 15

4
All part of theservice: expert
explanations
and insight tailored
for the customer.

5
Under the hood:detailed inspections
prevent downtime
and shutdowns.

Moving underneath the hood of a stopped­machine, Nevius stands on a steel catwalk inspecting the DuoCleaner heads. He then turns
to repairing a leaking pump that regulates thepressure. Hydraulic pressure can reach several
thousand pounds per square inch, so leaks
present a safety hazard, to both equipment
and personnel. “A leak in a pump cabinet producing up to 5,000 psi can produce a hole thesize of a thread and act like a water knife,”
Nevius explains. Mill contractors had usedhoses during their maintenance made of a material that caused corrosion, which in turncaused the leaks. Nevius has the fix.
Avoiding downtime
At paper mills like this one, machines run allday, every day, with the exception of a scheduled annual maintenance period. The superintendent at the mill is confident this service from
Voith will save on stoppages. Partly because

4

MobileExpertise

The state-of-the art mobile
service van is stocked withspecialized equipment andessential parts.

Regular maintenanceperformed by theexperts improves
efficiency and ROI.

acquiring a working knowledge of the machines would require downtime, but also because the Voith technicians work much faster.
“We need to have the guys with the rightknowledge and expertise on that particularequipment to come in and service it for us,” hesays. As Nevius moves through the mill, he explains how to check and set up the equipment,so the employees learn from him, too.
Typically, machines accumulate problems
during the year between annual maintenanceshutdowns. “You’ve got a whole year. Things
start breaking down, we start working on it, wedon’t get it quite right, we use the wrong parts,
and it was just a downhill spiral until we started
using this service,” the superintendent admits.
“Now we’re getting everything back up to par
and keeping it there.”

6
Taking a walkaround the mill floor
to inspect theentire process.
7
Expertise,equipment andexperience for a
winning service.

6

A seamless service
In the afternoon, as the 30-foot-wide (9 m)sheet of paper spools through machines at
2,200 feet (670 m) per minute, Nevius paces
the length of one of the paper machines, peering under the hood with a light. “I’m looking foropportunities,” he shouts. Part of his job is to
identify any gaps in manufacturing technology| 2:00 p.m. |nextlevel N° 01.20175N° 01.2017 nextlevel| 4:00 p.m. |“It was just a downhill
spiral until we started
using this service.
Now we’re getting
everything back up to par
and keeping it there.”
Mill superintendent, Jacksonville, Florida, US

7

that can be upgraded. By using the 3-D scanner stored in the van to capture large-scaleand hyper-detailed imaging of machines andequipment, Nevius will also be able to reverseengineer solutions to problems with othermanufacturers’ equipment.
Nevius speaks with deep admiration about
the mill machinery, engineering and the process of papermaking. His job spans several areas of expertise – engineering, sales, personal
relationships, instruction and maintenance – allof which are seamlessly integrated into what
he does each day. And it is client-focused, as
Nevius stresses: “We provide the premium service customers consistently seek.” transform 17

16 innovate

Spotlight onsmart service
Dr. Dieter Wenninger is President,
Products & Services, at Voith Paperand is responsible for growing
the global service business. He firmly
believes that smart technologies
and smart service go hand-in-hand.

p. 17

Dr. Wenninger, you introduced your new service
concept last summer at the customer event in Hamburg.
How important is service at Voith Paper now? Paper
manufacturers are faced with many challenges, and ensuring
competitiveness is a key factor for business success. It isessential that the paper machines run at a consistently highlevel throughout their entire life cycle. Therefore, advising andserving our customers does not stop for us after the start-up
of a production line.
To what extent do Papermaking 4.0 and service
go hand-in-hand? Large volumes of data are generated andprocessed during paper production. This data – combinedwith our process expertise – lays the foundation for serving
our customers all over the world with networked smart
solutions. OnCare is one example of our digital solutions. It
monitors important areas of the paper machine online anddiagnoses initial damage before it becomes a problem. With
remote support we can quickly restore system availability inan emergency and support our customers 24/7.
What are your requirements for first-class service? A service is first-class when the customer clearly sees
the value that our work adds. Generally, this added value
can be represented in monetary terms: cost savings and increased production are just a couple of the metrics. Where
we differentiate ourselves from other providers: we look at

p. 30

transform
An overview of key developments inthe papermaking industry

A clear focus“We elevate services for our customers
to a new level.”

A quantum leap for flow and filter
In 2012, the InfiltraDiscfilter with BaglessPlus set thebenchmark for filtration in stock preparation. The result: nobag replacements, less maintenance and fewer shutdowns.
With the new InfiltraDiscfilter with HiCon technology,
the bar has now been raised higher. Firstly, special guiding
blocks running between sturdy rails in the filter vat
ensure the discs stay on track. Also, each disc is fed
individually, which changes the flow pattern and guarantees
an even consistency throughout the tank. HiCon canoperate up to 2% inlet consistency, thus achieving a
potential increase in capacity of 20%, as well as up to
50% in pumping energy savings. The upgrade option of
HiCon is available for many existing filters.

the big picture. We elevate services for our customers to a
new level, with 150 years of experience in the industry andour expertise in the area of digitization.
How are you going about achieving that newlevel? We are a local partner to our customers. Throughour regional business units, we provide a global networkof experts. To be closer to our customers and respondeven faster to their needs, we are focusing on rapidly
expanding our service locations worldwide. The goalof our Voith Paper service organization is to ensure totalcustomer care.
nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevel18 transform

transform 23

Boost

SupplyIt requires excellence
to produce 800,000
metric tons each year.

The huge growth in online commerce has boosted the demand for
packaging materials of all types. XcelLine, the new generationof paper machines by Voith, is the key to building an optimized,
sustainable supply chain. On a global scale.

The only way forward for board and packaging:efficient production, sustainable products

1 Broad market: Packaging material
accounts for about half of all
worldwide paper consumption.
XcelLine is suitable for all qualities.

2

Flexible usage: The growing
demand for eco-friendly packaging
of small, individual items is met
by lightweight packaging material.

3 Sustainable production: The end
product on the VariFlex winder
is testliner, firm recyclable paper
produced from recovered paper.

4

Guoling Fu, Mill Director of Zoucheng PM 31/PM 32 (left),together with Stanley Wang, Voith Project Manager. The
decision to commission XcelLine paper machines was a logicalone, based on Voith’s long-standing technological know-how andseven-year successful partnership with the firm.

1
2

3

nextlevel N° 01.2017

4N° 01.2017 nextlevel

Given the global dimensions of online commerce and the trend toward urbanization, the increase in worldwide demand forboard and packaging paper has been phenomenal, but not totally unexpected. It is mostnoticeable in Asia, where the numbers are
staggering, as Stanley Wang, Voith ProjectManager in Kunshan, China, explains: “Online
shopping has taken off on an incredible scale.
Companies are having to wait in line for packaging material.”
This demand is the reason why the Sun
Paper Group made the strategic decision to
expand its portfolio to include board andpackaging material, a market the company
had not served in the past. With an annual
pulp and paper manufacturing capacity of 4.5
million metric tons, Sun Paper is one of theleading paper manufacturers in China. Now,
an additional 800,000 metric tons of kraftliner
and testliner have been added to its yearly capacity, manufactured on two Voith XcelLine
paper machines, PM 31 and PM 32, installedin the same workshop in Zoucheng. The milldirector, Guoling Fu, is clear that Voith wascommissioned to build, install and service thetwo machines in recognition of the benefits ofworking with a full-line supplier of coordinatedsolutions from a single source. “Voith technology is leading in the paper industry,” he says.

20 transform“Voith tailored theplant concept toour specific goalof building areference facility
with low energy
consumption.”Armin Vetter
Managing Director, Schoellershammer

nextlevel N° 01.2017

800,000
The number of metric tons produced eachyear on the two XcelLine machines at
Sun Paper. The SpeedSizer AT applies thefilm flawlessly and uniformly during sizing
and coating on the fast-running machines.

110 to250 g/m²

6,660 mm

Basis paper weight range produced on the PM 31.
The CombiDuoRun dries the paper web on bothsides for a more efficient process and quality result.

Paper width at reel. Efficient and gentle paper
dewatering is achieved in the press section with
the Tandem NipcoFlex press, ensuring maximum
production capacity at the highest quality level
and a high dry content.

Dryer section

Press section

nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevel

1,110 m/min

100%

Production speeds. In the forming section, the multilayer
technology of the Fourdrinier optimum sheet formation is
guaranteed even at higher production speeds.

Recycled paper is the basis for therecyclable end product at Sun Paper.
The precisely tuned headbox
MasterJet Pro G with ModuleJetensures maximum energy efficiency at
optimum jet quality in applying thestock on wire.

Forming section

HeadboxN° 01.2017 nextlevel

benefits

Global solutions
The increased demand for sustainable packaging solutions has also caught the attentionof leading European papermakers. In particular, papermakers are responding to the global
trend for lightweight, flexible materials thatallow cost-efficient, eco-friendly packaging
of small, individual items. Having a portfolioof high-quality containerboard grades suitablefor various packaging solutions for end users
is paramount for the future.
With the start-up of the XcelLine PM 6 inDecember 2016, at the paper mill in Düren,Germany, Schoellershammer increased its
annual capacity for corrugating medium andtestliner, in a basis weight range of 80 to
120 g/m², by 250,000 metric tons. Fromcontract to paper on reel, a mere 17 months
had passed.
As the company focus is on high-quality
products that are 100% recyclable, made withrecycled paper, the decision to partner with
Voith was an easy one, explains Armin Vetter,
Managing Director at Schoellershammer.
“Voith tailored the plant concept to our specific goal of building a reference facility with low
energy consumption for manufacturing corrugated containerboard.” In addition, working
with a single supplier was crucial. “We wanted
a full-line supplier, someone who provides thecomplete system, from plate conveyor towinder, including measurement, automationand ventilation technology. That is why wechose Voith,” he adds.
For Andreas Koehler, Voith Project Manager
at Schoellershammer, the partnership wascharacterized by trust from the beginning, anddeepened throughout the cooperation. “Theworking relationship has been fantastic
throughout,” he says. It is also clearly reflectedby the fact that Schoellershammer has contracted Voith with the additional delivery of field
instruments and hall ventilation, as well as other services, including total roll management,
services for doctor blades and the preventive
maintenance of various machine components.
Equally positive was also the experienceback in China. Sun Paper is so convincedby the milestones set with PM 31 and 32,
and the excellent working relationship, thatthe company has just signed a contract for
two more XcelLine paper machines, PM 36
and 37, of the exact same type, increasing
the company’s capacity to almost 6 million
metric tons a year. This is a clear indicationof the trust the XcelLine and Voith expertise
inspires.

Under perfectpressure: thecutting-edge
Tandem NipcoFlex
shoe press isinstalled in both
PM 31 and PM 32
in Zoucheng.

Compelling

Sun Paper was rewarded with paper on reelmonths ahead of schedule. Such breakthroughs are setting standards not only in
China, but also on a global scale.

transform 22transform 21

1. Fast start-up
Voith task forces ensure that XcelLine
paper machines are up and running
fast. With Sun Paper, it took only
12 hours from stock on wire to paperon reel, and only one day to produce
saleable paper.

2. Best value for money
For Sun Paper, profitability was achievedin the first six months. Innovative
strength based on long-standing
expertise makes Voith the first choice
for longevity of products and thecomplete paper machines.

3. Advanced technology
Forward-thinking solutions, networked
field instruments and smart preventive
maintenance ensure paper production
is more profitable.

4. Integrated solutions
Voith excels as a trusted partner by
providing solutions from project
initiation to commissioning, tailoring
the service to customer needs anddelivering the optimal solution for every
step in papermaking, whatever theapplication.

5. Full-line supply
From BlueLine stock preparation to
XcelLine paper machines, fromsuperior services to Papermaking 4.0,
Voith designs systems for the entire life
cycle of paper machines, ensuring allcomponents interact perfectly, cuttinginterfaces, inefficiencies and costs.

24 transform

transform 25

Components
of high performance
The perfect combination of hightech fabrics and equipment isessential to increase productivity,
efficiency and runability.

Targeting costs
Digitization has always been a fundamental
component of machine and plant engineering to
optimize processes and reduce costs. Voith isleading by example.
Instant insight
Setting the optimal method to produce
quality pulp and paper requires instantdata processing that is not feasible in
the hands of a technician, but possible
with the modular Voith OnEfficiency
portfolio. With OnEfficiency DIP thedeinking process can be fully optimized. By taking all the actuators for
final pulp brightness and ash content,
this module provides cost awarenesspoints in the flotation and bleachingsteps and coordinates them to reachthe brightness target at minimum cost.
On average, this data-driven, real-timeprocess control has a significant impact on running costs and quality.
One European mill with an output of
350,000 metric tons a year achieved
annual savings of over €3.3m, and cut
the cost of fibers alone by €1.5m.

“There’s a clear
demand forAugmented Reality
as a knowledgecapturing tool.”

Tomas Jutbo,
Management Consultant,
Voith Digital Solutions

Visualizing
information with AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is the latest
consumer trend, and the latest addition
to the Voith Paper OnCare family. Combining physical and digital, the OnCare
AR module uses AR to help technicianswith preventive maintenance on site.
OnCare AR scans the connected target,
triggering an instant, tailored feed ofknow-how. The app pulls up the corresponding, current information, such asdetailed drawings, instructions, andcrucial spare-parts and material data,from the mills or the Voith database.
The relevant granular content is immediately contextualized. Live streamingfrom control and monitoring systems
offers added value and an even better
opportunity to analyze performance
directly at the plants, as Thorsten
Jankowski, Product Owner, Lifecycle
Management /e-documentation, Voith
Digital Solutions, explains: “Our customers want the right data at the right timewith the right person. OnCare AR is a
mobile solution that delivers exactly that.
There’s a significant value-add in visualizing task-related data in real time.”
nextlevel N° 01.2017

MultiForm IR
The unique fabric design ensures excellent
drainage is achieved over a longer life.

Forming: an engineered solution
An optimal fabric design in the forming section canachieve a substantial reduction in energy consumption
and a longer fabric lifetime. The recently introduced
MultiForm IR is a medium-fine forming fabric thatcombines the benefits of a fine paper side on top of astrong and robust wear side – like no other fabric design before. Part of the established Voith I-Series, it isused worldwide in a wide range of applications, fromfine paper to demanding packaging papers. The highfiber support ensures good mechanical retention
properties and a clean run, while the robust wear sideguarantees stable profiles and an excellent wear resistance. “Our close cooperation with a Scandinavian
customer led to an optimal design choice that helped
to reduce the drive load by almost 10%, as well as asignificantly improved paper quality,” says Tom Meijer,
Global Product Manager Forming Section. “The engineered weave structure of MultiForm IR achieves anoptimal lubrication between the stationary dewatering
elements and the fabric wear side, resulting in boththe energy saving and a record running time.”

Press: for peak performance15%

higher rate ofcompression thanstandard felts

PeakElement
Elastomer component greatly improves press
felt performance and machine efficiency, andstart-up times are significantly reduced.

N° 01.2017 nextlevel

Improved dewatering is achieved in the press section
with Voith’s PeakElement integrated with press
fabrics, a revolutionary new elastomeric component
that enhances saturation and water flow through thefabric. In the past, new press fabrics required a period of lower dewatering. With PeakElement, however,start-up time can be significantly reduced. In thecase of one paper mill, start-up was achieved withina mere six hours, instead of the normal one and ahalf days. “By providing a faster start-up, as well as
constantly higher dewatering throughout its entire
life, PeakElement differs from every other kind ofpress fabric on the market,” says Anders Nord, Application Manager Press Fabrics. Moreover, in mills
using PeakElement, steam consumption has consistently been reduced by 12%.

“How do wethrive in this
digital age?”transform 27

What is the new way ofworking? Fernando
Carroquino, Industrial
Director at SAICA Paper,
outlines his views andvision in discussion
with Frank Opletal,
Chief Technology Officer,
Voith Paper.

Frank Opletal: Industry 4.0,
Internet of Things, Big Data – they
are all hyped as part of digital transformation. What does digitization
mean to you?
Fernando Carroquino: We hear thesebuzzwords a lot. For me, digitization is
not about complicating things, but
about simplifying them and supporting
lean management. It will help us disregard irrelevant data, so we can focus
on what really matters.
So digital tools will help us
make better decisions based on human intellect? Exactly. We need computers to deal with small, everyday
problems. But we need people to work

Zaragoza
SAICA was founded in 1943 in
Zaragoza, Spain. Its Paper Division
operates four mills in Spain, Franceand UK, with seven paper machines.
Frank Opletal,
Voith

Fernando Carroquino,
SAICA Paper

2.4m tons“We need to bea step ahead!”Today, the company is a leader inmanufacturing corrugated paper
products, with an annual production
capacity of 2.4 million tons.
N° 01.2017 nextlevelon improvements. Digitization is not ameans to replace people. It is a tool toempower them.
Viewed this way, digitization is a great benefit, for people
and companies. Where do you see
the challenges? In predictive analysis.
Now, quality control is at the end of the
production line. This is too late, and it
is not the way forward. Before you takea sample from the parent roll, you
should already know the paper quality.
We need to be always a step ahead.
Imagine a cockpit with the relevant
maximum and minimum parameters fora smoother production. This cockpit
will also flag up an imminent paper
break – and will also tell you what tocorrect immediately to prevent it. This
is totally different from swimming inthousands of parameters of data.
I totally agree. A just-intime predictive model is essential in
helping to improve runability. Turning
to services and maintenance: what
do you expect in this area? At the
moment, preventive maintenance isbased only on historical knowledge.
Better data and systems will tell us that
there are variables that will result incost savings. In the future, I see us implementing remote preventive maintenance, with access and communication
between all sites from one location. Of
course, we share information now, but
it is not immediate, or simple. Managers need to be able to copy and implement efficiency measures instantly.
Standardization of processes is an important part of digitization.
Won’t this require a new
way of working? Absolutely. The concept of “my knowledge is my treasure”
belongs in the past. Now, we are talking about putting our knowledge into a
cloud and sharing all the informationinternally between our production lines.
For this, you need to have a very openmind. If we put all our knowledge into

28 transformthe cloud, however, security will be a
key issue.
At Voith, we fully recognizethat data access has to be safeguarded to the highest level. That is
the technology side. But how do you
inspire people to be open to this?
Actually, my team inspires me. They arealways looking at ways to make improvements. It is our company philosophy to value our people, to trust thepeople to do the work they are qualified
to do. At home, these same people areusing technology every day. They are a
step ahead. Give them the tools to try
things out. At SAICA, we don’t micromanage. We have always understoodthe importance of handing over responsibility, and that failure is essential for
progress. Error is part of progress – wedo not punish it.

transform 29

That is a great culture, andone that resonates with our approach, too. Finally, what would you
see as a game-changing technological breakthrough? This is maybe adream, but I would like an exact virtual
replica of SAICA machines for trial purposes. Imagine if Voith could supply
us with the data for a particular felt, we
could input this into our virtual machine, and monitor what happens.

Reducing risks, saving costs, increasing speed. It is a dream.
That is a creative solution,
and we are actually already working
toward making your dream cometrue. We have grown our simulation
department in R&D specifically to
do more of these kinds of trials.
Thank you for talking to us today,
Fernando. It has been an insightful
and inspiring conversation.

Beyond e-commerce
Online shopping has long been an established habit for today’s
consumer, and it is also a valuable tool in business-to-business
transactions. With the Voith Paper Webshop, the sourcing process
is considerably optimized.

24/7 convenience
Personalized zone

The Voith Paper
WebshopPlanning security

Value-added benefits forvalued customers
Instant
availability check

Optimized
procurement

Automated orderprocessing

Real-time pricing“How do you
inspire people
to open theirminds to new
ways?”“My team inspires
me. They are always
looking at ways tomake improvements.”

90%

Of all orders from Perlen
Papier are placed via
the Voith Paper Webshop.

“We are a lean workforce, so it helps that the Webshop is accessible at all times – it saves time with regard tocontacting staff at Voith,” says Michelle White, Senior Buyer
with Palm Paper in the UK. For White, the benefits of theVoith Paper Webshop go clearly above and beyond thenormal functions of an online marketplace. The platform has
become a key source of information. “It is very helpful withregard to information on specifications, sizes and where theparts are actually located on the paper machine,” she states.
“The system especially simplifies inquiries for us, as weare able to see the availability and delivery dates at a
glance,” says Christian Stocker, Team Leader of Technical
Purchasing with Perlen Papier AG in Switzerland. “We use
the Voith Paper Webshop already for 90% of our orders, asreaction times are much faster,” adds Thomas Kreienbühl,
N° 01.2017 nextlevel

one of Stocker’s colleagues in Technical Purchasing. The
shorter processing time is a key benefit that allows for muchgreater flexibility. “With regards to ordering, it is a good tool
and a definite step forward,” confirms Stocker.
On the Webshop, customers can find and order sparesfor their installations, via user-friendly search and navigation
functions. Registered clients speedily find the right productsin their own order histories, as well as original deliveries,
through a variety of customer-oriented options, such as
drawing numbers, customer material numbers and installation location. Further developments to the platform will
provide SAP integration, which will allow customers to callup the Webshop directly from their SAP or own procurement
system. Future features include enhanced order tracking, forinstance, as well as product and service configurations.

30 transform

A strategic focus
In his new role as Strategic Technology Manager for Board andPackaging, Johann Moser will combine his expertise in customer
service and state-of-the-art paper technology. His goal is to ensurethat Voith Paper provides a seamless, cutting-edge solution.

“It is similar to a successful
professional sports team.” Given his
interest in sports, it is not surprising perhaps that Johann Moser uses such ananalogy to describe the complex papermaking processes. “We really need towork together with passion, perfection
and precision for success. It is how wecreate satisfaction for our customers.”
To enhance this customer-oriented
focus, Voith has established the role ofStrategic Technology Manager, who is
responsible for providing an even more
direct line of specialized individual support at the upper-suite managementlevel, with the distinct focus on strategic technological solutions across thecomplete papermaking process.
Tailored on many levels
Crucially, this involves the coordinatedoptimization and perfect alignment of
all papermaking components, as wellas the identification of any gaps in theportfolio, or the potential for new products and services.
Since January 2017, Johann Moser
has been responsible for board andpackaging technology, while Philipp
Buchhold has recently been appointed
the Technology Manager for Specialty
and Graphic. In the future, in recognition of the importance of the threemain paper grades, there will also be
one manager responsible for tissue.

Johann Moser
Appointed to the role of Strategic
Technology Manager for Board
and Packaging in January 2017.
johann.moser@voith.com“We reallyneed to work
together with
passion,perfection
and precision
for success.”

Technology and experience is key
A graduate in chemical and processengineering of the Graz Universityof Technology in Austria, Moser has
worked in the paper industry since1988. Based in Heidenheim since2004, his technological expertise
stretches across all papermaking processes, products and services. In his
new position, his goal is to ensure that
Voith provides an all-around seamlesssolution. Given that the digitization
wave is driving enhanced growth inboard and packaging, this sector is
now the most important paper grade– and is therefore viewed as a crucial
investment area for the industry. “It is ahighly standardized commodity, but itneeds the best technology,” he says.
Reliable, efficient, more competitive“It is my responsibility to provide expert
insight on how to optimize production
using less energy, fibers, chemicals
and fresh water, which means adding
value for board and packaging makers.”
Cutting operating and investment
costs, combined with increased efficiency, is always a priority for the millmanagers. Moreover, a faster return on
investment and increased competitiveness are also high on their agendas.
“Papermaking needs a perfect composition,” he adds. “Strategic technology
will make it real.”
nextlevel N° 01.2017

p. 31

p. 41

reflect

A round-up of views from thought leaders
on key trends and developments

The concept of hyper-connectivity
Over 50 billion devices are expected to be connected to
the Internet in the future. Not just individual smartphones,
but whole machines, transport systems and cities.
The next generation of networked vehicles, including the
Mercedes-Benz Vision Van, promises tocombine avant-garde design with the sleek integration ofuser-friendly, state-of-the-art connectivity. Digital isdriving these trends, but it takes true leadership to implement such technology strategically. Thought leaders will
shape the digital transformation of the workplace.

reflect 33

32 reflect

We are moving from a digitalage that has widely and seamlessly
connected individuals, businesses andservices to an era where artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet ofThings promise to shape the future.
Fully digitized players have pioneered
this digital shift, driving innovation andautomation, transforming customer experiences and expectations, as well aschanging conventional thinking on
business models. The hype is deafening, but the disruption is real. So, too,
are the opportunities and benefits.

agriculture
mobility
Cost-effective convenience. Ubiquitous
car-sharing services have already transformed taxi services and car journeys.
The trend toward driverless transport systems and autonomous cars signal a
bumpy ride for car manufacturers.

The digital world is spinning fast,disrupting every single sector.
SMART, MOBILE and SECURE
solutions will win out across the board.

nextlevel N° 01.2017

Efficient yield and output. Real-timedata analysis via drone-enabled technologies
that are connected to cloud-based platforms
promises to radically optimize the use ofnatural resources. Crop performance will beanalyzed in flight.

healthcare
Improved analysis and performance.
Wearables, robotics and the Internet ofThings are becoming more intelligent, connected and accepted by consumers. Predictive analysis and artificial intelligence
could lead to better preventive healthcare.
N° 01.2017 nextlevel

Whatever the sector, to succeed,
digital transformation has to exploit
the ubiquity of the Internet and newtechnologies, but also provide protection against cyberattacks. Smart,mobile and secure solutions are essential for the future of businesses acrossthe board, including the next levelof papermaking.

34 reflect

Section 35

A sharper vi sionfor paperm aking“Papermaking. Next Level” will rely on the precise networking ofknow-how, processes and communication between machines.
Bertram Staudenmaier, CEO of Voith Paper, explains why.

Mr. Staudenmaier, what
does “Papermaking. Next Level”
mean to you? Essentially, it is about
being smarter, more networked, moresustainable, as well as more profitablein this increasingly digitized age. Our
cutting-edge know-how, broad experience and technological leadership are
shaping the future of papermaking, taking it to the next level. To secure ourposition and further development, weare continuously refining our processes
to achieve a level that is flawless. We
have a clearly defined approach for thenear future and beyond.
Most importantly, our strong position is supported by our regional
experts. We are close to our customers and support them with a comprehensive approach, offering intelligently
coordinated solutions from one source,“Our cutting-edgeknow-how, broad
experienceand technologicalleadership are
shaping the futureof papermaking,taking it to
the next level.”for all paper grades and over the complete life cycle. This true customer orientation is the real focus of everythingthat we do. With Voith as a partner, paper manufacturers can already prepare
for the future today, and we will guideand support them to attain the nextlevel of paper manufacturing.
How important is the client
relationship? Our vision for customer
relations is to be focused on long-term
partnerships based on mutual trust andrespect. By favoring the long view andremaining loyal to our customers, weare able to meet new challenges together. As a full-line supplier, we are ina position to provide professional advice across the complete production
process, and to use our capabilities todevelop solutions that create added
value for all paper manufacturers.
nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevel36 reflect

In the long run, this is the way to guarantee success for us both, for our customers and for us.
And in the area of services?
This is where we excel. Our portfolio ofservices is what connects the new machines, consumables and after-market
business. Today, services alreadyaccount for 60% of our business, whilea third of our turnover is still generated
by projects and new installations. Thisbusiness will remain at our core, as theinstalled base provides the basis of ourservices for customers.

Section 37

1. From a single source
As a full-line supplier Voith covers
all areas of paper manufacturing –generating added value forcustomers.

2. Intelligent service
Tailor-made and smart solutions
for higher availability and better
process reliability.

3. Listening for innovation
Voith has the technologies forintelligent and sustainable paper
production. In developing new
product and service solutions
geared to the challenges andneeds of the market, Voith works
closely together with customers.

How do you meet customer
expectations? The technologicalknowledge acquired over the past 150
years at Voith is fully exploited tosupport our customers. They need trustworthy suppliers that act as consultants and enablers, and that deliver reliable, fully developed technologies to
produce all qualities of paper as flexibly
as possible in the most cost-effective
way. With our new XcelLine paper machines, for example, we guarantee ourcustomers a fast and easy start-up,
pioneering technologies and fewer
downtimes through an optimized interplay of all components over the entire
life cycle of the whole machine.

4. Ready for the futureWith Papermaking 4.0 –networked equipment and virtual
systems – Voith already offers
product solutions that enable
intelligent paper production.

Next
Level

“By focusing onconnected, smart
solutions andprocesses, we areproviding a clear
added value forour customers.”

2017, we launched merQbiz, the first
digital marketplace for recovered paper.
Voith Paper is also helping to develop aradically new, sustainable and feasible
pulping technology as a member of the
EU research project Provides.
In terms of resource consumption,
the reduction of energy demand is a
crucial topic. What if, for example, we
could reduce energy costs by 25%? It
is possible with step-by-step improvements, and also by launching major
new approaches.

What role does digital play?
A decisive one. The fourth industrial
revolution is fully underway. Innovativetechnologies are connecting people,
physical equipment and automation
systems with the digital world.
We are continuously working on
new Papermaking 4.0 solutions to improve efficiency, productivity and qualityof the entire paper production processsupply chain. By focusing on connected, smart solutions and processes, weare providing a clear added value forour customers.
For instance, our new OnCare AR
features an assistance augmented reality
module with video monitoring. Using
augmented reality in this way significantly
simplifies preventive maintenance andoverhauls, for example, and also contributes to the streamlining of daily routine
operations in paper mills. In 2017, ourgoal is to expand our range of digital applications. For this purpose, we createdthe new Voith Digital Solutions Group
Division which brings together all our research, products and pioneering developments in the fields of IT, automation,
software and sensor technology.

What's next? After 13 years
at Voith, I will be stepping down frommy role as CEO at the end of 2017. It
has been a demanding but rewarding
and fulfilling period in my career. During
my time at the company, the paper industry has experienced challenging
and volatile times, but thanks to theskill, dedication and foresight of thewhole management team, together wehave built a company that is now in astrong position to meet the challengesof the future. I am proud of this legacy.
It remains for me to wish the company, my colleagues and our customers the very best for the future. I haveevery confidence that my successor,
Andreas Endters, has the experience,passion, authority and expertise todrive the paper industry forward. Voith
will continue to strive to find new ways
for our customers to thrive, and notjust to survive. The focus will remain on
the next level.

Could you give us some examples of forward-looking projects?
A major challenge for our customers is
the quality of recovered paper. To support them we are continuously improving established solutions and working
on Papermaking 4.0, as well as newtechnologies. For instance, in March
nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevel38 reflect

The rootsof future
innovations

1867
Friedrich Voith takes over his
father’s locksmith workshop with
30 employees. From the modest
beginnings of a craftsman’s
space, he creates a state-ofthe-art industrial enterprise with3,000 employees.

1927

2010

Voith builds the Voith Schneider
Propeller, a ship propulsion system.

Voith celebrates the opening
of Voith Paper City in Kunshan,
China.

1869
Voith obtains the company’s
first patent, for a wood grinder.

1953

1870
Voith builds the first turbine
in the company’s history.

1960

Voith builds its first complete
paper machine, for paper manufacturer Raithelhuber, Bezner undCie. in Gemmrigheim am Neckar,
Germany.

In cooperation with the paper
factories Haindl and Palm, Voith
develops the flotation deinking
process. This lays the foundation
for today’s environmentallyfriendly paper recycling.

The company delivers the first paper
machine to Russia.
1903
Voith receives an order for the delivery of Francis twin turbines to the
Ontario Power Company at Niagara
Falls, on the United States–Canada
border. With 12,000 HP, they are
the largest turbines of their time.

In Heidenheim, the locksmith Johann Matthäus Voith and the paper manufacturer
Heinrich Voelter jointly develop a wood grinder for paper manufacturing. To further
process the roughly ground wood, Matthäus Voith invents the “Raffineur” (refiner) in1859, as well as a variety of other machines for paper manufacturing. These inventions
serve as the foundation for the company as it is known today. Showing extreme
foresight, he provides his son Friedrich with the opportunity to study engineering at
the Polytechnikum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Voith commissions the most powerful paper machine at Feldmühle AG
in Reisholz, Germany. The facts:
wire width 5 meters, 600 m/min
production speed, 200 metric tons
newsprint paper per day.

1881

1899

Johann Matthäus Voith
1803–1874

1932
Voith develops its first turbo transmission, for a railcar in Vienna, Austria.

1964
Voith establishes a branch inSão Paulo, Brazil.

Voith opens its first foreignsubsidiary, in St. Pölten, Austria.
1920
Voith delivers a high-pressure
headbox, a suction roll andthe first paper machine withelectronic multi-engine drive.

With “Papermaking. Next Level,”
Voith brings paper production to a
new level. This is accomplished byapplying innovative technologies,
developing intelligent products andnew services, and utilizing theopportunities available through digitization. The company and its employees work toward this goal with
passion to make their customers in
paper manufacturing successful –every day, today and in the future.
2017
Voith celebrates its 150th anniversary – and looks ahead to the next
milestone, with the motto “Welcome
to the Next 150 Years.”Friedrich Voith
1840–1913

1983
Voith acquires the Americancompany Appleton Mills and thereby
enters the new business fieldof paper machine clothing.
1994

1903

2016

Voith and the Swiss Sulzer Groupstart a joint venture, called Voith
Sulzer Papiertechnik.
1999
Voith acquires the British Scapa
Group plc and becomes a leading
supplier of paper machine clothing.

1867

For 150 years, the Voithians’
hearts have been beating for
paper, its production anddevelopment. Generations ofVoithians have continued to
face new challenges, by people
and markets, and have playeda decisive role in the developmentof the paper industry.
2017

nextlevel N° 01.2017

N° 01.2017 nextlevelq &a

40 reflect

At theleadingedge

questions andanswers

How to cut and achieve
optimal stabilization of the
web edge? With the newly
launched EdgeExpert byVoith. It is the cutting-edge
standard for sustainability
and efficiency.

Using the ancientJapanese art of origami,
Kristina Wißling is
inspiring engineers tofold, shape, bend anddesign smart structures.

With an ingenious design thatsaves fibers, increases efficiency andcuts down on water consumption,
Voith’s EdgeExpert sets the benchmark
in papermaking. Its unique edge trim
concept is one key feature, as it defines the web edge directly in the stock
jet as it exits the headbox. The technology is unmatched. For multilayer paper
machines, this innovation means thathigh-quality stock suspension can be
returned back into the stock circuit of alayer. The resulting savings in fiber ensure that the ROI is achieved within justa few months. The unique EdgeExpert
functionality ensures an exceptionally

Clean design, easy installation and efficient operation:
the unique EdgeExpert concept saves fibers and adds stability.

clean wire edge, while specially designed nozzles keep the EdgeExpert
clean during operation – which isachieved with the addition of very little
fresh water. As well as conserving resources, the EdgeExpert guarantees astability of the edge that contributes toimproved runability and productivity. Its
one-of-a-kind adjustable mechanism
allows the stock jet width to be set at
between 0 to 120 mm directly on bothsides. What’s more, adjustments canbe made during operation and tailoredto the specific paper grade. During
routine downtime, EdgeExpert can be
retrofitted within just a few hours onto
any type of headbox, irrespective of
the original manufacturer. Maintenanceis simplified, as the integrated selfswiveling device makes light workof replacing the forming fabric.
The combination of sophisticateddesign, advanced technology andingenious implementation is once
again proof that Voith has the edgein papermaking.

IMPRINT Publisher: Voith GmbH, St. Pöltener Str. 43, 89522 Heidenheim, Germany Responsible for the content: Kristine Adams
Editor-in-chief: Gudrun Köpf Editorial Board: Henriette Albert, Anna Dennerlein, Marijane Ludwig, Susanne Speiser In cooperation
with: C3 Creative Code and Content GmbH, Heiligegeistkirchplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.c3.co Content Director: Klaus-PeterYour feedback: If you have any commentsor questions on this issue of nextlevel, pleasecontact us: nextlevel@voith.com

Hilger Editors & Authors: Deborah Capras, Kirti Letsch, Jack Short (freelance) Copy Editor: Asa Tomash Project Management: Marlene
Freiberger Design: Michael Helble (Art Director), Regina Fichtner (Senior Graphic Designer) Photo Editor: Julia Fell Printer: C. Maurer

www.twitter.com/voith_paperGmbH & Co. KG, Schubartstraße 21, 73312 Geislingen/Steige Copyright: No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced orotherwise disseminated, nor may any of the content in it be used in part or in whole in other works in any form whatsoever, without
express written permission of the editor. Photos: Cover: Dr. Holger Hoffmann/www.papertrophy.de, p. 7: Dominik Gigler, p. 9 & 11:
Christian Wesser, p. 9, 11: C3 Visual Lab, p. 12 –15: Cary Norton, p. 16: Thomas Meyer/OSTKREUZ, p. 19 – 21, 23: Philippe Roy,www.linkedin.com/company/
voith-paper

p. 24: Dawin Meckel/OSTKREUZ, p. 26 – 28: Hahn & Hartung, p. 31: Mercedes-Benz Vision Van ©Daimler AG, p. 32: Fotolia, p. 33:
Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images, Daimler AG/Mercedes-Benz Cars, Bartholomew Cooke/trunkarchive, p. 35 – 37: Thomas Meyer/
OSTKREUZ, p. 38 – 39: Bernd Schifferdecker, p. 41: Kristina Wißling (2), Rainer Wohlfahrt. All other photos by Voith.

www.youtube.com/user/
VoithPaperEN

voith.com

nextlevel N° 01.2017

How useful is origami forindustrial design and manufacturing?
Designers are often confronted with thechallenge of turning 2D material into
3D structures that have volume andstrength. The art – and science – oforigami can hold the key to a solution.
Crucially, origami can help cut down on
costs substantially, by reducing volume
for transport and storage, for example,
or by optimizing production and eliminating waste. It is incredibly versatile.
Will digitization change
what you do? It offers enormous
potential, and I already make use of
special software and digital tools everyday. With 3D printing, for instance,
we’ll be able to create geometricalstructures more rapidly and cheaply,
structures that are impossible with conventional machines and technology. In
the future, selective laser sintering will
enhance rapid prototyping and permit
extremely creative structures and forms.
How do companies react
when you offer origami workshops?
At first, there was skepticism. But since
N° 01.2017 nextlevelreflect 41

2012, when I worked on a full-size tankout of paper for the military museum in
Dresden, businesses have taken myorigami skills more seriously. And they
stopped seeing it as something theirmothers did in their free time!
Are there any sectors thatcall on your expertise more often?
Origami-inspired products are foundin every industry. On Earth and in outerspace! Automotive and aerospaceengineers often need to fit large objects
into smaller spaces – think of satellites
and airbags. How do they squeeze
them in? One of my next projects will
look at how to optimize the folding
action of the roof of a convertible car.
But whatever the focus, my clients
generally need to find ways to do one
of four things to achieve a desired
functionality: increase stability, reduce
size, improve shock absorption andresilience, and/or create a componentout of a single piece of material. I work
regularly with R&D departments to help
solve tricky problems. Origami offers somuch more than pretty figurines.

Highly complex 3D origami
structures: a combinationof digital tools, traditional art
and entrepreneurial talent.

Complex origami tessellations formed
from a single sheet. Such one-piecegeometric patterns help solve tricky
engineering challenges.

Kristina Wißling
The award-winning communication
designer uses paper-folding ideas
in technologically advanced projects.

Welcometo the Next
150 Years