The primary function of roll covers in a press section is to create optimum conditions for dewatering through efficient nip performance.

To meet the demands for higher loads, improved quality and greater productivity of today's high-speed machines, Stowe Woodward engineers have led the way in advanced rubber compounding, new polyurethanes, ceramics and cutting-edge synthetic cover technologies.

The superior abrasion resistance of Stowe Woodward's polyurethane covers dramatically increases the run-life and enhances dewatering by keeping suction holes and grooves sharp. New ceramic and nanoparticle technologies deliver exponential increases in durability and toughness.

Suction Press/Suction Dri-Press Technology
Mated with a plain or Dri-Press press roll that exerts pressure on the sheet through the felt or fabric, the suction press roll extracts water through a series of holes drilled through the cover and the shell and out through an internal suction box.

Stowe Woodward's Suction Dri-Press system is the leading edge technology for efficient, uniform water removal. A suction roll with both blind drilled and thru-drilled holes designed with high open area to achieve symmetrical sheet dewatering in the press nip while minimizing detrimental hydraulic forces, Suction Dri-Press technology is applied to rubber or polyurethane roll covers with the abrasion and chemical resistance needed to retain hole integrity for the life of the cover.

Soft Top Press
The soft roll, which forms a pressure nip with the mating roll must maintain its crown profile, surface finish and, if exposed directly to the sheet, fiber release properties to uniformly dewater and release the sheet without causing sheet breaks.

Special rubber and polyurethane covers have been developed with the superior release properties and abrasion, chemical and impact resistance required for high-load applications.

Hard Top / Center Press Roll
The hard press roll in contact with the sheet in a pressure nip smoothes the sheet surface during dewatering and uniformly releases the sheet without causing sheet breaks.

Special elastomeric rubber, composite and ceramic covers, with surfaces formulated for superior release, are engineered to stand up to the steam showers, chemicals, high pressure loading and doctoring associated with these applications.

Dri-Press Technology
An engineered pattern of small, drilled holes provides a void volume capacity in the roll cover for removing water pressed out of the paper and felt in a pressure nip.

Stowe Woodward's Dri-Press system is the leading technology for creating void volume for efficient, uniform water removal in high performance nips.

Press Section - Extended Nip / Shoe Press
The engineered wide-nip innovation increases the time the sheet spends in the nip and therefore, increases the efficiency of the dewatering process

A shoe press belt is very similar to a roll cover in its performance requirements and the manufacturing process used to fabricate it. It is logical that the leader in roll cover technology and applications would manufacture and support this innovative product.

The Stabilizer is a high-performance polyurethane belt with embedded fiber strands (for stability) that is a product of Stowe Woodward's advanced composite and fiber research and development as well as applications expertise.

The Stabilizer shoe press belt provides the stability and long life necessary to deliver increased dewatering, improved sheet properties and greater productivity.

Grooved Press Roll
Press rolls are grooved to provide void volume in the cover that decreases hydraulic resistance and enhances dewatering of the sheet.

Rubber, composite or polyurethane covers need to have excellent abrasion resistance to ensure the groove integrity necessary for even water removal and long life between regrinds.

Suction Grooved Roll
A suction roll containing a combination of surface grooves and thru-drilled holes to increase the open area of the roll cover and optimize dewatering while minimizing detrimental hydraulic forces.

Rubber, composite or polyurethane covers are specified to provide the necessary chemical and abrasion resistance for long life between regrinds without groove closure or hole cupping.

Yankee Pressure Roll
Pressure Rolls press the sheet against the Yankee Dryer in a tissue machine and provide the necessary nip intensity and dwell time for optimum dewatering and "runability".

Pressure rolls require 25 to 65 P&J high performance covers with abrasion, chemical and age hardening resistance and can be plain, blind drilled, grooved, suction, or any combination of these.

Wet Felt / Paper Carrying Rolls
Used to convey the wet felts through the machine, the felt rolls require a rock hard cover with high abrasion resistance to maintain a smooth surface finish and extend cover life.

In addition, the high abrasion resistant roll covers require release to resist stock build-up. A high coefficient of friction reduces felt slippage and a smooth finish minimizes felt wear.

Smoothing Press Hard Roll
The function of the smoothing press is to mate a hard and soft roll in a nip to produce a smoother, more uniform finish on the sheet by smoothing out the felt and forming fabrics marks.

Smoothing Press roll covers must have excellent abrasion resistance to maintain crown profile and must also have a high release, smooth surface finish to smooth the sheet and prevent picking that is inherent in non-felted positions.

Spreader Rolls
To enable open felts for easy cleaning and dewatering as well as trouble free felt running, Stowe Woodward produces bowed spreader rolls with steel surfaces, rubber surfaces or FlyBow, an end-to-end design made from composite compound materials (like carbon fibers).

Other Products & Services
Stowe Woodward Applications Sales Engineers are equipped with special press optimization tools and expertise that increases the effectiveness of any press section.

Years of experience are built into the latest technologies that ensure the accurate diagnosis of nip conditions, selection of cover, venting and overall press efficiency.