A through-drilled vacuum press roll is a specialized press roll featuring thousands of small holes drilled completely through the roll cover. These holes connect the roll surface with an internal vacuum chamber, allowing water removed during pressing to be quickly transferred away from the nip area.
During operation, the wet paper web passes through the press nip between the vacuum press roll and its mating roll. The mechanical pressure forces water out of the sheet, while the vacuum system immediately removes the extracted water through the drilled holes.
This combined pressing and suction effect improves dewatering efficiency, minimizes rewetting, and allows the paper web to enter the dryer section with lower moisture content.
In modern paper manufacturing, the press section plays a vital role in removing water from the paper web before it enters the dryer section. Improving press dewatering efficiency not only increases paper machine productivity but also reduces steam consumption and operating costs. Among the advanced technologies used in modern press sections, the Through-Drilled Vacuum Press Roll is one of the most important solutions for achieving efficient water removal and stable sheet performance.
By combining mechanical pressure with vacuum suction, the vacuum press roll removes water more effectively than conventional press rolls. Its specially designed through-hole structure provides a direct drainage path for water squeezed from the paper web during the press nip, significantly improving sheet dryness and reducing rewetting.
For high-speed paper machines, packaging board machines, and specialty paper production lines, the through-drilled vacuum press roll is an essential component for improving production efficiency and paper quality.
1. Maximizing Water Removal Efficiency
The primary function of the vacuum press roll is to improve water extraction during pressing. The through-hole design provides an efficient drainage channel, allowing water to leave the nip quickly and reducing water retention in the sheet.
Higher press dryness results in:
Lower dryer steam consumption
Increased machine efficiency
Improved production economy
2. Reducing Sheet Rewetting
After water is removed from the paper web, rapid drainage through the vacuum system prevents water from flowing back into the sheet.
Reduced rewetting improves:
Final sheet dryness
Paper strength development
Dryer section performance
3. Supporting High-Speed Paper Production
Modern paper machines operate at increasingly high speeds. The vacuum press roll provides stable dewatering performance under high nip loads and continuous operation, helping reduce web breaks and improve machine runnability.
4. Improving Paper Quality
More uniform water removal contributes to better moisture profiles, improved sheet stability, and more consistent final paper properties.
The design of a through-drilled vacuum press roll depends on machine speed, paper grade, and press configuration. Typical specifications include:
Roll Diameter: 900–1600 mm
Face Length: 2500–11000 mm
Operating Speed: Up to 2,000 m/min
Roll Shell Material: High-strength steel or stainless steel
Cover Material: Rubber, polyurethane, or engineered elastomer
Hole Diameter: Typically 2–5 mm
Open Area Ratio: Customized according to dewatering requirements
Vacuum Level: Designed according to press system requirements
Dynamic Balance: G2.5
Runout Tolerance: ≤0.02 mm