BOOSTING QUALITY WITH VALMET IQ VIRTUAL SENSOR

Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor provides continuous quality predictions, enabling mills to maintain consistent quality, reduce fiber and starch costs, decrease energy consumption, and increase overall production efficiency.

By delivering minute-by-minute predictions of key paper properties, such as tensile and tear strength, burst and short-span compression test (SCT), using the mill’s existing data, the system provides operators with real-time visibility into product quality. It continuously learns from laboratory feedback to enable proactive process optimization, reduce waste, help prevent quality deviations, and ultimately improve mill profitability.

A good starting point with measurement and analysis is to implement Valmet Retention Measurement (Valmet RM5) and Valmet Wet End Analyzer (Valmet WEM) in your production line. 

“To avoid rejected batches, operators frequently build in large safety margins, resulting in increased use of costly raw materials and higher production costs. With Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor, operators no longer need to wait for laboratory results to understand how their actions will affect end-product quality,” says Timo Aro, Business Manager, Quality Management System, Automation Solutions, Valmet. “In addition, its built-in ‘what if’ simulator lets operators test adjustments and see predicted impacts before applying changes to real production. By reducing uncertainty and enabling lower safety margins, the solution demonstrates how optimized process control helps unlock resource efficiency.”

Actionable insights from instant quality predictions

The system delivers real-time quality predictions during processing without the need for additional sensors or production downtime. It runs all calculations locally, without cloud dependency, ensuring secure data handling and fast response times.

The solution is highly intuitive and seamlessly integrated with Valmet DNA and Valmet DNAe, which allows operators to view predicted strength properties alongside other quality data from scanners. Empowered with these continuous insights, operators can make faster decisions and improve production efficiency.

Enhanced optimization with integrated control

Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor is part of the Valmet IQ Quality Management Systems family, backed by more than 30 years of industry-leading expertise and continuous innovation in quality control for paper and board production.

Although available as a standalone solution, Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor delivers unmatched quality management when combined with the Valmet IQ Quality Control System (QCS). Together, they provide mills with a holistic quality overview across the entire machine and even tighter control of essential quality parameters – all in one unified interface.

With Valmet IQ Virtual Sensor, operators no longer need to wait for laboratory results.

In addition, IQ Virtual Sensor is future-proof and can be expanded to automated closed-loop controls with Valmet Advanced Process Controls (APC), enabling the next level of quality performance, process optimization, and profitability.