Hercules® X-CT System, an electronic applications guide for Yankee coatings, was designed to assist Hercules application specialists with product recommendations and/or rapid troubleshooting.  This easy-to-use e-tool provides tissue makers with confidence during program optimisation.

Located on a secure server, the Hercules® X-CT database combines fundamental research regarding creping parameters with years of hands-on tissue machine experience.  By comparing a standard data set with industry best practices, local Hercules sales representatives work with Hercules application experts (either on-site or remotely) to assess the data and then model alternative scenarios.

The critical performance parameters modelled by the built-in software include:

Yankee Coating Add-on: Calculated in industry-standard mg/m2 for all Hercules products and incorporates product solids and specific gravity.

Spraybar Design: To ensure an even spray distribution and the correct applied evaporative load on the Yankee, data such as nozzle type, bar placement and pressure, and drying parameters can be input to obtain good/bad indicators.

Drying Details: Drying load is assessed for both the spraybar design and the choice of Yankee coating to meet the customer’s quality objectives.

Other operating and performance data is logged to give a complete snapshot of the tissue machine.  This can be repeated daily or by grade, simply by editing the original data set.

A typical data set can be gathered and logged on to a laptop in approximately one to two hours.  The data can then be uploaded into the Hercules® X-CT database.  Special security features dictate accessibility to the database; therefore, Hercules sales representatives have limited access while Hercules applications experts have wider access to assist with remote troubleshooting and product selection. 

The spreadsheet and models inherent to the design of the Hercules® X-CT System are constantly upgraded to reflect new product offerings, new research, and ongoing experience of Hercules tissue experts. The latest upgrade included a unique product selection tool to help sales specialists and the customer quickly identify the best base coating for their grade and operational requirements.  Together, these provide customers with new possibilities and new understanding to help achieve new quality or product development benchmarks.

Hercules® X-CT System is generally available in Europe, the United States, and Asia-Pacific.  It will be introduced into Latin America in late 2008.