Edge and surface debris can accumulate on press blankets and printing plates, leading to frequent cleaning and wash-up stops. Each interruption not only costs valuable production time, but also increases waste during press restart while colour balance and registration are restored. In paper manufacturing, this makes contamination control a timing-critical decision rather than a corrective action later in the process.
The role of clean edges and surfaces in paper quality
In paper and solid board manufacturing, Weducon’s HE-90 web cleaning solution ensures reliable dust and particle extraction throughout multiple production stages:
- in the paper machine, before the tambour is wound
- in the winder and the sheeter
- directly behind the slitters as a web cleaner
- after the cross-cut section as a sheet cleaner
Each of these stages represents a point at which contamination can be removed effectively or become embedded further downstream in the production process.
Principles of effective contamination removal
Weducon’s HE-90 web cleaner, equipped with 24 V DC ionizers optimally positioned in the centre of the cleaner, uses electronically adjustable airflow to achieve precise and consistent cleaning performance.
The system creates a controlled ionised airflow that detaches fibre fragments, paper fines, and other loose particles from the web surface — independent of web tension or substrate characteristics. This ensures consistent particle removal without introducing additional mechanical stress or variability into the production process. An illustrated breakdown of this process can be found in this article: Weducon web cleaning technology
Specific design features of the filter and fan system provide additional benefits. The optional continuous dust extraction beneath the hopper is highly effective in paper and board mills with higher dust loads. Collected material can be discharged automatically, for example, to a briquet press or directly back into the pulper, reducing manual handling.
Critical contamination points in paper production
1. In the paper machine
Just before winding the tambour, web cleaning extracts contamination from the finished paper surface. This includes coating particles, fibre fragments and foreign objects from the production environment—such as rust, metal dust or insects—that adhere to the moving web. If not removed before winding, these contaminants become trapped in the roll and may cause permanent imprints during unwinding. At this stage, contamination that is not removed before winding becomes structurally embedded in the roll, making downstream removal impossible.
2. In the unwinder/rewinder
In the rewinder, the web cleaner prevents dust from circulating around the winder and improves the working environment by reducing airborne emissions. The system removes slitting dust directly behind the slitters, preventing loose particles from becoming enclosed in the layers when the web is rewound into smaller reels. Removing slitting dust at this stage prevents particles from circulating within the rewinder and becoming enclosed between web layers.
Weducon also designs and supplies knife dust extraction systems for optimised slitting performance.
3. In the sheeter
Weducon edge and surface web cleaning for paper and board removes contamination between the slitters and the drive rollers in the sheeter. This prevents remaining particles or fibre fragments from being pressed into the surface by the drive rollers, causing permanent dents or imprints on the finished product. Once pressed into the surface by the drive rollers, these defects cannot be corrected further downstream. See an example of Weducon web cleaning applied in the sheeter section at Inpol-Papier, Poland.
4. At the cross-cut section
Slitters generate around 65% of the slitting dust in the sheeter; the remaining 35% is created in the cross-cut section. To provide customers with optimal printable paperboard, the web cleaner removes contamination generated during cross-cutting. At this point, contamination transfers directly to the finished sheets and stacks, making this a critical final control stage before handling and transport. See an example of this web cleaning application in the new sheeter at Papierfabrik Varel, Germany.
Technical considerations in paper and solid board production
4. Paper & board production - contamination control
In paper and cardboard production, Weducon web cleaning systems are integrated at points where fibres, dust, and microparticles are generated, such as after slitting or cutting, or before winding and stacking. The system’s configuration and positioning are determined by the web width, line speed, material properties, and contamination characteristics, ensuring effective dust extraction without disrupting production processes.
Static charge increases particle adhesion by attracting fibres and dust to the web surface and edges, as illustrated in our knowledge article on static control. This interaction not only amplifies contamination build-up but also reduces the effectiveness of passive removal methods, making controlled ionisation an important factor in effective web cleaning.
Contamination at the edges is more difficult to control because fibers and cutting residues are generated there and are less affected by surface airflow patterns. Because the open edges are no longer covered by coating, fillers and binders break loose, releasing the long fibers as well.
This debris tends to accumulate, migrate further down the production line, and can be easily transferred during stacking, printing, or converting.
Fibre length, stiffness and bonding influence how easily fibres detach during processing, while coatings affect surface adhesion and electrostatic behaviour. Cutting and trimming methods further determine particle size and release intensity, which directly impacts whether contamination remains airborne, adheres to the web, or migrates to edges.
Contamination becomes structurally embedded when fibres and dust are included upstream of winding, slitting, or stacking. At these stages, particles are compressed into the web or trapped between layers in rolls or stacks, making downstream removal ineffective and increasing the risk of surface dents, print defects and handling issues.
In high-speed paper and board lines, contamination is primarily driven by fibre release during formation, trimming and cutting, particularly in grades with higher recycled fibre content, where shorter fibres and fines are more easily released. Combined with airflow and static effects around the moving web, these particles are readily transported downstream and embedded into rolls or process components.
Web cleaning installations in paper and board production
See how Weducon web and sheet cleaning systems are integrated into paper and solid board production and converting equipment at different cleaning positions.
Production benefits of early contamination control
By addressing contamination at the right production stages, web cleaning increases production stability, reduces manual cleaning and supports consistent printability.
Do you want to discuss your manufacturing process or evaluate where web cleaning could deliver the greatest impact? Weducon offers tailored advice based on over 30 years of experience in paper and board production.
Get a detailed analysis of how web cleaning can reduce downtime and waste in your paper production. Contact us to discuss your process.
