Several types of headboxes are available, including conventional single layer headboxes, high nozzle contraction headboxes, 2 or 3-ply headboxes with or without water addition between the layers (Aq-technique) and high concentration headboxes.

A twin-wire unit and a fourdrinier unit are included in the wire section design.  The twin-wire unit, the STFI-Former, is of the roll/blade type, and was introduced in 1991.  This was the first roll + controllable blade unit world-wide (see Development of the STFI-Former). In the STFI-Former, the forming roll cover angle can be varied from 20 to 70° on-line, the latter case giving pure roll dewatering.

The fourdrinier and the twin wire parts can be run simultaneously, to form multilayered products.

Recently, the thin edged STFI-Blade has been introduced in the STFI-Former. This blade supports the inner wire, leaving only 30-40 mm (conventionally ca 200 mm) free wire length immediately after the forming roll.  Flow instabilities between the wires, creating formation damages in this critical zone, can then be avoided.