A system comprising a pulper configured to (i) accept surfactant, a liquid and fiber stock and (ii) generate a foam that suspends the fiber stock, wherein the foam has a half-life; a headbox configured to receive the foam-suspended fiber stock from the pulper and displace the foam-suspended fiber stock onto a forming wire, wherein a time it takes the foam-suspended fiber stock to move from the pulper to the headbox is less than the half-life; and a foam return device that removes at least some of the foam from the forming wire and returns the at least some of the foam to the pulper.

A system comprising a pulper configured to (i) accept surfactant, a liquid and fiber stock and (ii) generate a foam that suspends the fiber stock, wherein the foam has a half-life; a headbox configured to receive the foam-suspended fiber stock from the pulper and displace the foam-suspended fiber stock onto a forming wire, wherein a time it takes the foam-suspended fiber stock to move from the pulper to the headbox is less than the half-life; and a foam return device that removes at least some of the foam from the forming wire and returns the at least some of the foam to the pulper.

Methods and apparatuses for producing a substrate are described. A method and apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply is also presented. A method can include providing a first fluid supply. The fluid supply can be configured as a foam in some embodiments. The method can also include providing a component feed system and a supply of the component. The method can include introducing the component to a fluid supply in an eductor in some aspects. A resultant slurry including a fluid supply and the component can be transferred through a headbox. The resultant slurry can be dewatered to provide a substrate including the component.

A deckle board system comprising: (a) one or more deckle boards; (b) one or more shower systems; (c) a stand assembly that supports both the one or more deckle board and the one or more shower systems, the stand assembly including: (i) a vertical stand and (ii) a horizontal stand; and (d) one or more actuators connected to the vertical stand, the horizontal stand, or both; and wherein at least one of the one or more actuators is automated so that the at least one of the one or more actuators actuates the vertical stand, the horizontal stand, or both.

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a powdered-and-granular-material supply unit that supplies powdered and granular material; and a forming unit that forms a sheet from fibers and the supplied powdered and granular material, and the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit includes a motor, a holding unit that detachably holds a container configured to store the powdered and granular material, a powdered-and-granular-material tank that receives the powdered and granular material discharged from the container by the motor, and a screw that conveys the powdered and granular material in the powdered-and-granular-material tank outward from the powdered-and-granular-material supply unit.

Methods and apparatuses for producing a substrate are described. A method and apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply is also presented. A method can include providing a first fluid supply. The fluid supply can be configured as a foam in some embodiments. The method can also include providing a component feed system and a supply of the component. The method can include introducing the component to a fluid supply in an eductor in some aspects. A resultant slurry including a fluid supply and the component can be transferred through a headbox. The resultant slurry can be dewatered to provide a substrate including the component.