Paper Machine Operations Course

Sharpen your knowledge in the overall operation of the complex paper machine.

The TAPPI Paper Machine Operations Course offers unbiased, peer-reviewed content delivered by top-level faculty with exceptional credentials. Instructors emphasize that you'll find the cost of this training delivers far more value in paper machine efficiency and performance.

Paper machines throughout the industry are undergoing conversions to new products. Operators and engineers may find they have new duties. You may just want to gain a greater perspective of the processes to discover what the paper machine is capable of doing and what new products can be achieved.

This introductory to intermediate-level content will help you build confidence and knowledge, gain skills needed to troubleshoot operational problems, improve operations and influence product outcomes.

You will learn:

• How the mechanical components and operations of the paper machine affect the structure of paper and quality
• The design and operating features of the paper machine that affect performance
• Ways to improve paper machine efficiency and product quality based on a new understanding of the overall operation

You'll get to take back with you copies of the slide presentations, diagrams and other visuals from this course so that you can reference all of the comprehensive content back at your facility.

This course is ideal for:

• Paper Machine Operators
• Technicians
• Process Engineers
• Product Development Engineers
• Service Technicians
• Engineers from Clothing, Chemical and Suppliers
• Suppliers and Consultants
• Young Professionals
• Sales Representatives

This introductory to intermediate-level content is applicable to individuals with minimal experience around a paper machine, as well as operators who have considerable hands-on operational experience.

Course Location

To Be Determined 

Earn 2.0 CEUs
The Education Project Center of TAPPI has been reviewed and approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 11130 Sunrise Valley Dr, #350, Reston, VA 20191. TAPPI will award 2.0 CEUs to participants who attend at least 80% of the educational sessions and complete a final program evaluation.

Looking for a Tissue course?
TAPPI offers courses specifically for the tissue industry. Please visit the TAPPI Course Calendar

Tom Rodencal
Course Chair, Tom Rodencal & Associates

Tom Rodencal is a graduate of the SUNY College of Forestry and Environmental Science with a BS degree in Paper Engineering. He first worked for Hammermill Paper Company as a process engineer. In 1978, he joined International Paper at their research center in Tuxedo Park, NY in the Process Diagnostics Group. In 1983, he transferred to the Manufacturing Services group in Mobile, AL. He then managed the diagnostics group when the group was transferred to Mobile.

After working at the Georgetown, SC mill in both a technical and production role, he was assigned to work on the project team for a 1200 tpd fine paper machine at IP Selma, AL. He continued his career with Georgia Pacific, and later Domtar Paper in Atlanta, GA where he worked in various corporate roles. He completed his corporate career working for Nalco Chemical as a senior consultant.

Tom is a product expert on high ash chemistry with implementations in North America, Mexico, and Brazil. Since 2016, he has been president of Tom Rodencal & Associates, a consulting company to the paper and allied industries. In this role, he has provided operator training, troubleshooting, paper machine auditing, and due diligence to various companies. Tom is a TAPPI Fellow, past chairman of the TAPPI Paper & Board Division, and past TAPPI Board director. In 2017, he was awarded the TAPPI Distinguished Service Award. He is a past speaker for the TAPPI Wet End Operations and TAPPI Pressing and Drying seminars. He is also a past member of the advisory board for the Specialty Papers Conference.

Michael Kaegbein
Michael Kaegbein graduated in 2002 from the Munich University of Applied Sciences and holds a graduate engineering degree in Paper Manufacturing. He works as an Application Manager Press at Albany International for the last 10 years with customers in the US and Canada. In his job he helps his customers with optimizing the press section regarding clothing, dewatering strategies and trouble shooting.

Prior to this, he was Production Manager and Assistant Production Manager at LEIPA mill in Schwedt, one of the largest mill in Europe running on 100% recycled fibers. Beside the day to day business, his  work included project engineering, planning and major startups, process and product optimization, work safety, employee education and development, maintenance planning and coordination.  

Kevin Kroon

Kevin Kroon has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.  During his first 11 years in the paper industry, he held various positions at the Kimberly Mill in Kimberly, WI from Process Engineer, Shift Supervision, Coating/Calender Superintendent, and Paper Machine Superintendent. He has experience with commissioning of a multi-million dollar rebuild with a dilution headbox, shoe press, and pre-coating.

Most recently, he has been with Albany International for the past 16 years in Forming Applications covering all product grades and Fiber Preparation.  His current position is Director of Forming Applications for the North and South America.

John Lucius
John has been involved with the Pulp and Paper industry for more than 30 years now. He is currently the Director of Dryer Fabric Applications for Albany International’s Americas Corridor, which includes a land mass stretching from Canada to the Southern Tip of South America. Prior to that he was responsible for Dryer Fabric Applications for the Southern United States.

John has been responsible for Forming, Press, & Dryer Fabric sales and service for many years, and provided Vibration and Pulsation Analysis Support as part of a larger Audit Team Capacity for 2 different PMC Suppliers since 1994. Time spent in the Field of Predictive Preventative Maintenance provided an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with every form of equipment involved in the paper making process.

John's travels have afforded the opportunity to view hundreds of differently configured machines, producing a wide array of paper grades.

Aaron Hickman representing Kadant

Aaron Hickman joined Kadant Solutions Division in 2013 and is currently a Technical Manager in the Applications Group. He supports Kadant’s industrial product lines and works closely with customers and internal teams on technical applications, business development, and project definition.

Aaron holds a B.S. in Control Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware.  Prior to joining Kadant, he served on active duty as a Submarine Officer in the US Navy and recently retired for the US Navy Reserves.

Alexandre Laplante, Albany International   

Alexandre Laplante holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from

Sherbrooke University and he also graduated in Pulp & Paper Technology from the Trois-Rivieres college in Canada. He currently works as a product manager drying products at Albany International for the Canadian and US market. Prior to that, he has held multiple positions within the Albany dryer group as a process engineer dryer manufacturing in Cowansville QC and dryer fabric design for the Canadian and the North-East US market. In 2009, he moved to China for 3 years to be the application manager for the Asia market where he was training the engineers about all aspect of drying and dryer fabrics application. He also participated in many new machine startups mostly in China. In his current role,  he actively participates in dryer section troubleshooting and optimization through dryer fabric design selection, dryer section audit and training. All his 20 years career was spent with Albany International.

Course Schedule

This course is 3 full days of training. It will begin at 8:00 AM on Tuesday and end at 5:00 PM on Thursday. 

Session 1

Introduction to Paper Machine Operations
Tom Rodencal, Rodencal, Inc.

Wood Fiber & Paper Structure 
Tom Rodencal

Stock Prep Overview
Tom Rodencal

Lunch

Session 2

Stock Approach System Design 
Tom Rodencal

Design and Operation of Headboxes 
Tom Rodencal

Session Ends

Session 3

The Fourdrinier and Sheet Forming 
Tom Rodencal

Forming Fabric Design and Forming Section Operation
Kevin Kroon, Albany International

 Lunch

Session 4

Fundamentals of Pressing and Press Fabric Design
Michael Kaegbein, Albany International

Session Ends

Session 5 

Principles of Drying and Dryer Section Design
Alex Laplante, Albany International

Dryer Fabric Design and Dryer Section Operation
John Lucius, Albany International

Lunch

Session 6

Clothing Cleaning and Conditioning 
Aaron Hickman

Introduction to Vacuum Systems 
Tom Rodencal

pm Introduction to Calenders and Reels 
Tom Rodencal

Course Ends

Cancellation Policy:

If you find that you have to cancel, your full registration fee will be refunded if TAPPI’s Registration Department receives written notification (fax acceptable at  +1.770.209.7206 by  (April 21, 2026).  Please note:  There will be a 50% refund for all written cancellations made after (April 21, 2026) but no later than 5 business days prior to the start of the course (May 12 2026).  Understandably, after May 12 2026, no refunds can be issued.  Substitutions, however, will be accepted any time without a penalty.     

Refund:

100% - Cancellation received by (April 21, 2026)
50% -  Cancellations received after (April 21, 2026)and no later than (May 12, 2026).
NO REFUND- Cancellations received after (May 12, 2026).   

TAPPI Press is known as an industry leader for publishing reliable and practical publications and training products created and peer reviewed by industry experts for professionals and students alike.  This is a great time to refresh or master new skills and restock your corporate or personal library.

TAPPI offers 15% discounted pricing on select TAPPI Press publications to course attendees when purchased with registration. 

Pick-up on-site and SAVE ON SHIPPING!

Troubleshooting the Papermaking Process
Special Member Price:  $105
Special Non-Member Price:  $137

Handbook for Pulp & Paper Technologists, Fourth - Updated Edition (The Smook Book)
Special Member Price:  $94
Special Non-Member Price:  $122

Paper Machines Quality Control Systems, Vol. 1-Measurement
Special Member Price:  $101
Special Non-Member Price:  $132

NEW!  Paper Machines Quality Control Systems, Vol. 2 Control Systems and Operations
Special Member Price: $134
Special Non-Member Price: $175

Advances in Papermaking Wet End Chemistry Application Technologies       
Special Member Price:  $118
Special Non-Member Price:  $154

Process Chemicals for Papermaking                                     
Special Member Price:  $118
Special Non-Member Price:  $154

Papermaking Part 1:  Stock Prep and Wet End, 2^nd Edition
Member Price:  $184
Non-Member Price:  $184

Papermaking Part 2:  Drying
Member Price:  $184
Non-Member Price:  $184