Apparatus for selectively moving the slice lip of a headbox

In a papermaking machine headbox with a slice lip, an apparatus for selectively moving the slice lip of the headbox of the papermaking machine, said apparatus comprising a plurality of adjustment mechanisms spaced along the cross-machine direction of the slice lip, each adjustment mechanism comprising:

• a housing secured to the headbox, said housing defining an elongate chamber;
• a control rod having a longitudinal axis and a first and a second end, said first end being connected to the slice lip;
• a rotatable member disposed within said chamber, said rotatable member threadably cooperating with said second end of said control rod such that when said member rotates within said chamber, said control rod is moved axially relative to said housing for selectively moving the slice lip;
• and
• an electric motor having a rotary axis and rigidly connected to said housing and drivingly connected to said rotatable member for selectively rotating said rotatable member relative to said housing, the rotary axis of said motor being coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said control rod such that the apparatus is compact so that the space required by the apparatus is reduced and a larger number of control rods disposed in side-by-side relationship may be provided along the cross-machine direction of the slice lip thereby increasing the controllability of the slice lip.