Paper Machine Clothing Change Procedure
v2.2
Purpose. This procedure sets the steps for planning, coordinating and executing a forming fabric, press felt or dryer fabric change on the paper machine safely and within the planned downtime.
1.Planning
The shift supervisor must confirm the clothing to be changed, the position, the new clothing serial number and its arrival on site at least two shifts before the change. The maintenance planner will confirm the cantilever beams, crane and lifting gear are available and inspected. The change will be entered on the production plan as planned downtime and the crew briefed at the toolbox talk.
2.Pre-change safety
The machine must be stopped, the section drives isolated and locked under the Permit to Work and Isolation Policy, and the stock and shower water isolated. A confined space permit is required where a person must enter the dryer hood or a chest. Every person involved must attend the pre-task briefing and sign the job safety analysis.
- Isolate and lock section drives
- Isolate steam to dryers being entered and allow cooling
- Isolate showers, stock and vacuum
- Confirm crane and lifting gear inspection tags
- Establish exclusion zone under suspended loads
3.Removing the old clothing
The crew will release fabric tension, remove the cantilever guards and support beams in the sequence shown on the section drawing, and cut and remove the old fabric. The old fabric must be rolled and lifted clear with the crane, never dragged across walkways. Rolls and doctor blades exposed by the removal must be inspected and any damage recorded on a maintenance work order.
4.Installing the new clothing
The new fabric must be unpacked, inspected for damage and checked for the correct running direction and seam type before installation. The fabric will be drawn through the section using the installation aid and positioned to the alignment marks. The cantilever beams will be reinstated and torqued, the guards refitted and the fabric tensioned and guided in accordance with the manufacturer's specification.
5.Return to service
The supervisor must walk the section and confirm all tools, straps and people are clear, all guards are fitted and all permits are closed before isolations are removed. The section will be run at crawl speed to confirm tracking, then brought up to speed with the shower and vacuum systems restored in the start-up sequence. The change, the serial numbers, the downtime and any problems must be recorded in the Production Shift Log.
6.Records
The clothing record must be updated with the position, serial number, installation date and expected life. Any damaged or defective clothing must be reported to the supplier through the Quality and Planning Coordinator. Lessons from the change will be discussed at the next toolbox talk.