Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability in the Paper & Pulp Industry with Vibration Monitoring

For use in pumps, fans, gearboxes and motors in paper and pulp mills and production lines

Optimised Performance for Paper Mills with Hansford Sensors

The paper and pulp industry operates in an environment where machinery must endure continuous heavy loads, high-speed operations, and exposure to moisture and dust. Maintaining uptime and operational efficiency is critical, as unplanned breakdowns lead to significant production losses and increased maintenance costs.

At Hansford Sensors, we provide industry-leading vibration monitoring solutions to help paper mills and pulp processing plants detect early signs of mechanical wear, prevent equipment failure, and implement predictive maintenance strategies that optimise production efficiency.

The Importance of Vibration Monitoring in the Paper & Pulp Industry

Paper manufacturing is a complex process that involves multiple stages, each relying on heavy-duty rotating machinery. These machines are susceptible to mechanical issues such as misalignment, imbalance, bearing wear, and resonance, all of which can lead to costly downtime if left unchecked.

Key machinery in paper mills includes:

  • Pumps – Essential for moving pulp slurry and water throughout the mill. Cavitation, imbalance, and bearing wear can lead to inefficient operation and unexpected failures.
  • Fans & Blowers – Used for air circulation and drying processes. High-speed operation means they are prone to vibration due to imbalance or misalignment.
  • Gearboxes – Found in paper machines and conveyors, gearboxes must be monitored for early signs of wear, lubrication issues, and misalignment.
  • Motors & Drives – The heart of any production line, motors are vulnerable to bearing degradation, overheating, and misalignment, all of which can be detected through vibration analysis.
  • Press Sections & Dryers – Critical for achieving optimal moisture content, these sections require consistent monitoring to detect mechanical looseness and uneven roller pressure.

By implementing vibration monitoring solutions, paper mills can significantly reduce unplanned maintenance, enhance productivity, and extend the lifespan of critical assets.

Hansford Sensors: Precision Vibration Monitoring for Paper Mills

Hansford Sensors is a trusted partner for the global paper and pulp industry, delivering high-performance industrial vibration sensors that enable proactive maintenance and improved machine reliability.

Why Choose Hansford Sensors?

  • Early Fault Detection – Identify signs of imbalance, misalignment, and bearing wear before failures occur.
  • Reduced Downtime – Implement predictive maintenance strategies that keep production running efficiently.
  • Increased Operational Efficiency – Ensure motors, gearboxes, and fans operate at peak performance.
  • Cost Savings – Minimise maintenance expenses and extend the lifespan of critical equipment.
  • Enhanced Safety & Compliance – Reduce mechanical failures and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Vibration Sensor Solutions for the Paper & Pulp Industry

Hansford Sensors provides a range of reliable, high-quality vibration monitoring solutions tailored for the paper and pulp industry, including:

  • HS-100 Series Industrial Accelerometers – Robust stainless-steel sensors designed for harsh operating conditions, available in both top- and side-entry models.
  • HS-420 4-20mA Sensors – Ideal for integration into PLC systems, enabling real-time monitoring and automated fault alerts.
  • HS-535 Triple Output Accelerometers – Advanced multi-output sensors capable of monitoring bearing condition, imbalance, and misalignment simultaneously.
  • HS-510 Local Monitoring Modules – Provide real-time vibration analysis and relay-based alarms for on-site equipment protection.
  • HS-570 & HS-580 Enclosures – Industrial-grade enclosures designed to protect sensors from moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures.

These solutions support both online and offline vibration monitoring, allowing continuous condition monitoring or periodic inspections using handheld data collectors.

How Vibration Monitoring Enhances Paper Mill Performance

  • Predictive Maintenance: Detect issues before they escalate, preventing catastrophic failures and reducing downtime.
  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Properly maintained machines operate with less friction and energy loss, reducing operational costs.
  • Optimised Production Output: Reliable machinery ensures a consistent and uninterrupted manufacturing process, leading to higher productivity.
  • Extended Equipment Lifespan: By preventing excessive wear and tear, vibration monitoring extends the service life of motors, pumps, and rollers.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Monitoring critical equipment helps mills comply with industry safety and operational standards, reducing risk and liability.

Trusted by Leading Paper & Pulp Manufacturers Worldwide

Hansford Sensors has a proven track record of delivering precision-engineered vibration monitoring solutions to paper mills and pulp processing plants across the globe. Our expertise in industrial condition monitoring helps manufacturers maximise uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance overall efficiency.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss your specific requirements and discover how Hansford Sensors can enhance your plant’s performance.

Factors to consider

Selecting the best accelerometer or vibration sensor for metals processing depends on a number of factors. These include:

  • Availability of the plant
  • Cost of breakdown
  • Criticality of the machine/impact on the production process
  • Access to machine, guarding, health and safety implications
  • Environmental factors

We can provide solutions for both online and offline monitoring, with all our industrial accelerometers being designed for use in the toughest environments, including hazardous areas.

Typical solutions for the Paper & Pulp Industry

Wet Areas

In wet areas, our standard AC sensors (HS-100 Series) fitted with integrated silicon cables that are sealed to IP68 provide a reliable and highly effective method of data monitoring. These sensors can be supplied in top or side entry and are fully submersible.

For Press & Dryer Sections

For the press and dryer sections our AC sensors are available with integrated 2-Pin MS connectors (HS-100 Series); these can be supplied as either top or side entry devices, depending on the headroom. These accelerometers require a separate mating cable assembly (HS-AC001), which can be supplied in different versions, including silicon (HS-AC030) that is flexible, easy to install in conduit and, when fitted to the accelerometer, provides IP66 sealing.

Junction & Connection Boxes

Our family of junction, switch and connection boxes are available in a range of different materials including stainless steel, painted mild steel and polycarbonate housings. These boxes are available with a number of different channels to suit different paper machine applications.

Mounting Studs

All of our paper and pulp sensors are available with a variety of different mounting studs including a quick fit option that enables each sensor to be easily removed from the machine during maintenance.

Paper Mill Application

Our Paper application note explores the advantages of vibration sensors in a paper mill application.

Global Customer Service & Support

We have a global network of sales partners, backed by the resources of our central product design, manufacturing and customer centre in the UK. Our sales partners include vibration analysts, consultants and system builders and integrators. Each is fully trained, experienced in meeting the challenges of vibration monitoring in a wide range of industrial applications and capable of providing dedicated local technical, engineering and customer service, wherever you are in the world.

For fast, friendly advice, and to learn more about our products, please contact our sales team.