Paper Machine Operations Course

Sharpen your knowledge in the overall operation of the complex paper machine.

The TAPPI Paper Machine Operations Course offers unbiased, peer-reviewed content delivered by top-level faculty with exceptional credentials. Instructors emphasize that you'll find the cost of this training delivers far more value in paper machine efficiency and performance.

Paper machines throughout the industry are undergoing conversions to new products. Operators and engineers may find they have new duties. You may just want to gain a greater perspective of the processes to discover what the paper machine is capable of doing and what new products can be achieved.

This introductory to intermediate-level content will help you build confidence and knowledge, gain skills needed to troubleshoot operational problems, improve operations and influence product outcomes.

You will learn:

• How the mechanical components and operations of the paper machine affect the structure of paper and quality
• The design and operating features of the paper machine that affect performance
• Ways to improve paper machine efficiency and product quality based on a new understanding of the overall operation

You'll get to take back with you copies of the slide presentations, diagrams and other visuals from this course so that you can reference all of the comprehensive content back at your facility.

This course is ideal for:

• Paper Machine Operators
• Technicians
• Process Engineers
• Product Development Engineers
• Service Technicians
• Engineers from Clothing, Chemical and Suppliers
• Suppliers and Consultants
• Young Professionals
• Sales Representatives

This introductory to intermediate-level content is applicable to individuals with minimal experience around a paper machine, as well as operators who have considerable hands-on operational experience.

Earn 2.0 CEUs
The Education Project Center of TAPPI has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, #350, Reston, VA 20191. TAPPI will award 2.0 CEUs to participants who attend at least 80% of the educational sessions and complete a final program evaluation.

Looking for a Tissue course?
TAPPI offers courses specifically for the tissue industry. Please visit the TAPPI Course Calendar

Tom Rodencal
Course Chair, Tom Rodencal & Associates

Tom Rodencal is a graduate of the SUNY College of Forestry and Environmental Science with a BS degree in Paper Engineering. He first worked for Hammermill Paper Company as a process engineer. In 1978, he joined International Paper at their research center in Tuxedo Park, NY in the Process Diagnostics Group. In 1983, he transferred to the Manufacturing Services group in Mobile, AL. He then managed the diagnostics group when the group was transferred to Mobile.

After working at the Georgetown, SC mill in both a technical and production role, he was assigned to work on the project team for a 1200 tpd fine paper machine at IP Selma, AL. He continued his career with Georgia Pacific, and later Domtar Paper in Atlanta, GA where he worked in various corporate roles. He completed his corporate career working for Nalco Chemical as a senior consultant.

Tom is a product expert on high ash chemistry with implementations in North America, Mexico, and Brazil. Since 2016, he has been president of Tom Rodencal & Associates, a consulting company to the paper and allied industries. In this role, he has provided operator training, troubleshooting, paper machine auditing, and due diligence to various companies. Tom is a TAPPI Fellow, past chairman of the TAPPI Paper & Board Division, and past TAPPI Board director. In 2017, he was awarded the TAPPI Distinguished Service Award. He is a past speaker for the TAPPI Wet End Operations and TAPPI Pressing and Drying seminars. He is also a past member of the advisory board for the Specialty Papers Conference.

Ellen Gibbs
Ellen Gibbs has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Masters in Education from Boston University. She has been the Technical Director for Americas Press Fabrics for five years. Prior to that, she spent most of her career with Albany in Press Fabric Applications for Publication, Tissue, Board and Pulp Grades. She also spent time in Manufacturing, R&D and was the Manager of the Product Engineering Group in Albany.

Kevin Kroon
Kevin Kroon has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1997. During his first 11 years in the paper industry, he held various positions at the Kimberly Mill in Kimberly, WI from Process Engineer, Shift Supervision, Coating/Calender Superintendent, and Paper Machine Superintendent. He has experience with commissioning of a multi-million dollar rebuild with a dilution headbox, shoe press, and pre-coating.

Most recently, he has been with Albany International for the past 4.5 years in Applications covering all product grades primarily in Publication grades. His current position is Product Manager in Fine Paper Publication Grades.

John Lucius
John has been involved with the Pulp and Paper industry for more than 30 years now. He is currently the Director of Dryer Fabric Applications for Albany International’s Americas Corridor, which includes a land mass stretching from Canada to the Southern Tip of South America. Prior to that he was responsible for Dryer Fabric Applications for the Southern United States.

John has been responsible for Forming, Press, & Dryer Fabric sales and service for many years, and provided Vibration and Pulsation Analysis Support as part of a larger Audit Team Capacity for 2 different PMC Suppliers since 1994. Time spent in the Field of Predictive Preventative Maintenance provided an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with every form of equipment involved in the paper making process.

John's travels have afforded the opportunity to view hundreds of differently configured machines, producing a wide array of paper grades.

John A. Neun representing Kadant
John Neun is an engineering consultant who spent a substantial part of his career with Albany International and Kadant. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State. He has surveyed and analyzed hundreds of paper and tissue machines to find means of improving their efficiency.

In addition to overall engineering analysis, John has demonstrated particular expertise in vacuum systems, water systems, fabric cleaning systems, forming systems, and presses. He has worked in the paper industry since 1979, first as a Research Engineer with Albany Felt Company, studying and developing wet felt performance and felt dewatering devices. He spent several years as a Service Engineer for Albany Felt, performing vibration analyses on most of the high-speed machines in the United States and many more throughout the world. John also had a long tenure at Kadant - AES, where he was Cleaning and Conditioning Product Manager and Design and Development Manager.

Before AES, John spent five years working for Mechanical Technology Incorporated, an engineering consulting firm, where he gained a wide range of vibration analysis experience in rotating machinery, structures, and acoustics, instructed in a course on FFT spectrum analysis, and led a number of multi-million dollar projects.

John holds six U.S. patents and has published many technical papers (for TAPPI, ASME, SME, and the U.S. National Bureau of Standards). John is a Tappi Fellow and is past Chairman of the Papermaker's Committee and Water Removal Committee, as well as the Paper and Board Division. He has received the Leadership and Service Awards from both the TAPPI Engineering Division and Paper and Board Division, and the TAPPI Engineering Division Technical Award.

Course Schedule

Session 1 - Day 1

8:00 am
Introduction to Paper Machine Operations
Tom Rodencal, Rodencal, Inc.

8:30 am
Wood Fiber & Paper Structure
Tom Rodencal

10:30 am
Stock Prep Overview
Tom Rodencal

12:00 pm
Lunch

Session 2 - Day 1

1:00 pm
Stock Approach System Design
Tom Rodencal

2:30 pm
Design and Operation of Headboxes
Tom Rodencal

4:30 pm
Session Ends

Session 3 - Day 2

8:00 am
The Fourdrinier and Sheet Forming
Tom Rodencal

9:45 am
Forming Fabric Design and Forming Section Operation
Kevin Kroon, Albany International

12:00 pm
Lunch

Session 4 - Day 2

1:00 pm
Fundamentals of Pressing
Ellen Gibbs, Albany International

2:30 pm
Pressing Fabric Design for Modern Paper Machines
Ellen Gibbs

4:30 pm
Session Ends

Session 5 - Day 3

8:00 am
Principles of Drying and Dryer Section Design
Tom Rodencal

9:45 am
Dryer Fabric Design and Dryer Section Operation
John Lucius, Albany International

12:00 pm
Lunch

Session 6 - Day 3

1:00 pm
Clothing Cleaning and Conditioning
John Neun, John Neun LLC

2:00 pm
Introduction to Vacuum Systems
John Neun

3:15 pm
Introduction to Calenders and Reels
Tom Rodencal

4:15 pm
Course Ends

# # #

Cancellation Policy:

If you find that you have to cancel, your full registration fee will be refunded if TAPPI’s Registration Department receives written notification (fax acceptable at  +1.770.209.7206 by  (April 4,2023).  Please note:  There will be a 50% refund for all written cancellations made after (April 4, 2023) but no later than 5 business days prior to the start of the conference (April 25^th, 2023).  Understandably, after (April 25^th, 2023), no refunds can be issued.  Substitutions, however, will be accepted any time without a penalty.

Refund:

100% - Cancellation received by (April 4,2023)

50% -  Cancellations received after (April 4,2023) and no later than (April 25^th, 2023.

NO REFUND- Cancellations received after (April 25^th, 2023). 

Attendance Justification Toolkit
We understand it can be challenging to ask for approval to attend TAPPI training events, so we've created an Attendance Justification Toolkit below to assist you with the approval process and in making a strong case for the investment.

We encourage you to review the materials below and let these help you communicate the value of what attending the TAPPI Paper Machine Operations Course can provide when approaching your manager for approval.

Before the Event: Prepare your Justification.
It's important for you to communicate that attending a TAPPI course is a strategic investment in your training and development, and a cost-effective way to help you do your job better. You'll meet others who experience the same day-to-day challenges, meet face to face with technical experts and gain an advantage in the industry from the influx of new ideas, innovations and solutions.

Before the Event: Communicate the value of Your attendance.

• Letter to Manager/Supervisor
• Expenses and Benefits Worksheet

After the Event: Summarize your experience and learning outcomes.

• Post-Event Training Report

Your preparation will help you earn the greatest benefit from TAPPI training!

In many cases, the work you put in beforehand can also help you determine what information that you want or need to learn from the experts who will assemble to lead this instruction. The interaction with your manager or supervisor can be a productive process to go over some of the challenges that your organization would like to tackle.

TAPPI Paper Machine Operations Course Venue
Miron Construction
1471 McMahon Drive
Neenah, Wisconsin, USA 54956

Lodging Options

Holiday Inn Appleton
150 S Nicolet Road, Appleton, WI, 54914
+1-866-599-6674

Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel
1000 Cameron Way, Neenah, WI, 54956
+1-866-599-6674

Riverwalk Hotel- Downtown Neenah
123 E Wisconsin Ave, Neenah, WI, 54956
+1-866-599-6674

Avis offers special discounts off regular rates for participants. To reserve your car, call 1-800-831-8000 and refer to the code AWD: #U226600.

Avis offers special discounts off regular rates for participants. To reserve your car, call 1-800-831-8000 and refer to the code AWD: #U226600.

Special discounted on Press products when purchased with your registration.

Pick-Up Onsite and SAVE ON SHIPPING!

Troubleshooting the Papermaking Process
Product Code:  0101R298
Special Member Price:  $97
Special Non-Member Price:  $127

Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists, Fourth - Updated Edition (The Smook Book)
Product Code: 0202SMOOK4
Special Member Price:  $88
Special Non-Member Price:  $113

Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists, Fourth - Updated Edition (The Smook Book) Spanish Version
Product Code: 0202SMOOK4S
Special Member Price:  $88
Special Non-Member Price:  $113

Handbook for Pulp & Paper Terminology, Fourth - Updated Edition (The Smook Term Book)
Product Code: 0202SMOOKTERM
Special Member Price:  $64
Special Non-Member Price:  $72

Guidelines for Safe Assessment and Operation of Yankee Dryers
Product Code:  0101R357
Member Price:  $78
Non-Member Price:  $101

Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Steam Heated Paper Machine Dryers
Product Code:   0101R250
Member Price:  $34
Non-Member Price:  $49

Paper Machines Quality Control Systems, Vol. 1-Measurement
Product Code:  0101R328
Special Member Price:  $124
Special Non-Member Price:  $188

The Mechanics of Rollers
Product Code:  0101R225
Special Member Price:  $69
Special Non-Member Price:  $111

Winding Machines:  Mechanics and Measurements
Product Code:  0102B068
Special Member Price:  $161
Special Non-Member Price:  $210

Papermaking Part 1:  Stock Prep and Wet End, 2^nd Edition
Product Code:  0202FIN08-2
Member Price:  $170
Non-Member Price:  $170

Papermaking Part 2:  Drying
Product Code:  0202FIN09-2
Member Price:  $170
Non-Member Price:  $170

Wet End Chemistry (CD)
Product Code:  MPP-11
Special Member Price:  $50
Special Non-Member Price:  $76
 

Paper Machine Wet End (CD)
Product Code:  MPP-12
Special Member Price:  $50
Special Non-Member Price:  $76

Paper Machine Dry End (CD)
Product Code: MPP-13
Special Member Price:  $50
Special Non-Member Price:  $76

The Headbox  (CD) (50% off Discount)
Product Code: PP05CD
Special Member Price:  $57
Special Non-Member Price:  $87

The Pressing Operation (CD)  (Discounted 50%)
Product Code: PP08CD
Special Member Price:  $57
Special Non-Member Price:  $87

Drying Operations I (CD)  (Discounted 50%)
Product Code: PP09CD
Special Member Price:  $57
Special Non-Member Price:  $87

Drying Operations II (CD)  (Discounted 50%)
Product Code: PP010CD
Special Member Price:  $57
Special Non-Member Price:  $87