Skip to main content
Calcimator

Paper Machine Speed Calculator

Calculate required paper machine wire speed from production rate, trim width, basis weight, and machine efficiency. Includes reel timing and section speeds.

Inputs

%

Results

Machine speed (m/min)

943.5

Speed (ft/min)3,095.6
Speed (km/hr)56.61
Production (t/hr)20.83
Area produced (m²/day)6,250,000
Reel time (min)53
Press speed (m/min)957.7
Sheet Length Per (min)943.54
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your production target in metric tons per day (t/day).
  2. Input the trim width (m) and basis weight (GSM) for the grade being run.
  3. Set overall machine efficiency (%) to account for downtime and breaks.
  4. Review Machine Speed (m/min and ft/min), Production per Hour, and Reel Time.
  5. Use Press Section Speed to verify drive settings before a new grade change.

How the result changes with Trim width (m)

Trim width (m)Machine speed (m/min)
1.652,859.2
4.521,043.7
7.98591.2
11428.9

What each input means

Production target (t/day)
Target paper production in metric tons per day.
Trim width (m)
Net sheet width at the reel in meters.
Basis weight (GSM)
Target paper weight in grams per square meter.
Machine efficiency (%)
Overall machine efficiency accounting for downtime, breaks, and grade changes.

What each result means

Machine speed (m/min)
Required wire/reel speed in meters per minute.
Speed (ft/min)
Machine speed in feet per minute.
Speed (km/hr)
Machine speed in kilometers per hour.
Production (t/hr)
Paper production per hour in metric tons.
Area produced (m²/day)
Total paper area produced per day.
Reel time (min)
Estimated minutes per reel change (assuming 20-ton reels).
Press speed (m/min)
Estimated press section speed with typical 1.5% draw.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Production target (t/day) = 500, Trim width (m) = 5, Basis weight (GSM) = 80, Machine efficiency (%) = 92 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Machine speed
    Machine speed = (productionTPD * 1e6) / (trimWidthM * basisWeightGSM * minutesPerDay * effici...
    943.5 = 943.5
  3. Calculate Speed
    Speed = speedMPerMin * 3.28084
    3095.6 = 3095.6
  4. Calculate Speed
    Speed = speedMPerMin * 60 / 1000
    56.61 = 56.61

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Paper Science

Paper Basis Weight Calculator

Convert between GSM (metric) and US basis weight (lbs/ream) for any paper grade. Estimates caliper thickness and M-weight.

Paper Science

Paper Opacity Calculator

Estimate paper opacity from basis weight, filler content, TiO2 loading, fiber type, and calendering. Uses Kubelka-Munk scattering theory.

Paper Science

Pulp Consistency Calculator

Calculate pulp stock consistency from fiber weight and slurry weight. Determine dilution water needed and fiber flow rates for paper machine approach systems.

More in Manufacturing, Industrial & Coatings.