GERMANY – In the second half of 2020, Pfleiderer ordered an EVOsteam from Dieffenbacher for its MDF plant in Baruth, Germany. Before the start of the EVOsteam retrofit in Baruth, a live demonstration took place at Dieffenbacher in Eppingen.

As the time available for on-site retrofitting is limited, the demonstration following partial commissioning at Dieffenbacher was intended to ensure that functions were tested in advance, thus significantly reducing the time required for installation and on-site commissioning. “To avoid any unnecessary infection and health risk from the COVID-19 pandemic, together with our project partners from Pfleiderer we carried out the machine demonstration via an online video call,” explains Holger Senk, who is responsible for the EVOsteam at Dieffenbacher.

“As a modern alternative, the online demonstration was a great experience. More of my colleagues were able to participate than would have been possible at an on-site meeting,” says Markus Hlawatsch, project manager of the EVOsteam project at Pfleiderer. “The Dieffenbacher colleagues explained all the components and functions of the EVOsteam to us in detail and demonstrated them live. We were able to clarify our open questions and can now approach the upcoming conversion with confidence.”

“A live demonstration like this—online or on site—is a win-win for both customer and supplier,” adds Stefan Zipf, Head of Dieffenbacher’s Wood Business Unit. “Both partners have an interest in testing the machine before installation to prevent surprises and make commissioning as efficient as possible. Demonstrations like this are not only possible for the EVOsteam, but for many of our products.”

Installed directly at the press infeed, the EVOsteam preheats the mat by injecting steam. This reduces the time needed to heat the mat inside the press, accelerating production.