The SPM HD measuring technique, a sophisticated enhancement of the SPM method, is particularly well suited for condition monitoring of low rpm machinery like wash presses. For Smurfit Kappa, the deciding factor for choosing SPM HD was a study visit at Holmen Paper in Hallstavik in conjunction with the SPM User Group meeting in September last year. SPM HD has been in operation at Hallsta paper mill for almost two years.Håkan Sirkka, maintenance technician at Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner, comments: ”Earlier, we did not have a good method for detection of damaged bearings on low speed machinery. We tried vibration measurement, but to no avail. Now, with the capability to detect bearing damages with great prewarning times, enabling planned bearing replacements, we anticipate to save at least 10,000 Euros annually.”Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner in Piteå, northern Sweden, is Europe’s largest kraftliner producer with an annual production capacity of some 700,000 tons.