This study presents a customized root cause analysis approach to investigate the reasons,

provide improvements measures for the cost overruns, and schedule slippage in papermachine-

building projects. The proposed approach is an analytical-survey approach that

uses both actual technical data and experts’ opinions. Various analysis tools are embedded

in the approach including: data collection and clustering, interviews with experts, 5-Whys,

Pareto charts, cause and effect diagram, and critical ratio control charts. The approach was

implemented on seven projects obtained from a leading international paper machine supplier.

As a result, it was found that the main causes behind cost and schedule deviations

are products’ related; including technical accidents in the Press section, damaged parts, design

issues, optimization of the machine and missing parts. Based on the results, prevention

measures were perceived.

Theoretical analysis of the dewatering and consolidation process of the wet paper web with the air through- blowing technique is presented in this study. This kind of process takes place in a new (patented) device called the air press. The results of theoretical considerations are experimentally verified. The experimental research was conducted on a specially designed experimental stand with the use of three kinds of paper used for oil and air filtration. It was proven that the air through-blowing process of the fibrous web dewatering can be considered as unidirectional consolidation with the linear relationship of dehydration and deformation. A new system of devices was suggested for the continuous production of high quality filter papers, with the air press as its basic element.