Recent advances in cross machine profile control using modern estimation and control technology

Control of paper variation in the cross machine direction has become a necessary requirement to meet increasing quality demands. Traditional approaches to the control of weight, moisture and caliper have realized good reductions in paper profile variability using relatively simple control technology. Advances in computer technology have provided the platform to implement the next generation of cross-machine controls using modern estimation, modelling and control technology. This paper describes the development of an advanced cross-machine control system using state estimation, system identification, multivariable modelling and control and summarizes the results of implementing the system on a modern newsprint machine