
DATA MANAGEMENT: USING THE WEB TO MANAGE THE FORESTSSUMMERVILLE, SC — Forest Technology Group has developed a Web-based geographic information system, or GIS. With the addition of its proprietary onl…
DATA MANAGEMENT: USING THE WEB TO MANAGE THE FORESTS
SUMMERVILLE, SC — Forest Technology Group has developed a Web-based geographic information system, or GIS. With the addition of its proprietary online geographic service, WebFRIS, Forest Technology goes beyond its PC-based systems. The GIS puts the power of information directly in the hands of more natural resource managers. “Our new online service will allow clients worldwide to know and track their resources better and make more informed management decisions,” said Brian Fiacco, vice-president of technical development and online services. “These clients understand the critical role of timely, accessible resource information in developing their strategic and tactical plans, no matter what their objectives, and the need to produce better returns on their investments.”
As well, state-of-the-art security measures ensure that the privacy and integrity of clients’ data, which is stored in an independent, professionally run centre.
CLOTHING: PROVIDING DRAINAGE IN FOUR DIRECTIONS
GREENVILLE, SC — Geschmay has launched a new press product, which combines precision process and batt application methods with new technology for constructing the base fabric. HydroMax delivers significant benefits to the papermaker, the company said. “The uniqueness of HydroMax is due to the orientation of the base yarns and the non-traditional drainage channels. The base construction has been engineered to provide drainage in four different directions.” Previous designs offered only two directions of orientation. Thus, papermakers can now achieve improved sheet moisture, printing properties and minimized hydraulic disturbances of the sheet.
TRANSPORT: AN INTELLIGENT WAY TO TRACK SHIPMENTS
MONTREAL, QC — Canadian National plans to use a supply chain management technology developed by IntelliTrans, an Atlanta-based company dedicated to logistics and supply chain management software and wireless technologies. With such technology in place, papermakers will be able to more easily track, trace and manage the movement of their shipments throughout North America.
The new e-business (at www.cn.ca), will give paper mills that originate traffic on CN several capabilities, including both original and dynamic estimated times of arrivals for shipments (ETA); explanations for major changes in transit times; full intervention capabilities to manage shipments that are late; and online service performance reports for CN and its rail partners.
Time is of the essence, said James M. Foote, the company’s executive vice-president, sales and marketing: “Time and again our customers have told us that the most important e-business service we offer is individual shipments tracking [that provides] estimated times of arrivals, identification of specific shipment delays, and the status of the over-all network.”
The service will be available in the first quarter of 2002.
– CONTRACTS, SALES & ACQUISITIONS
GL&V’s subsidiary in Stockholm, Sweden, GL&V Sweden AB, has been awarded a $7.1-million contract from Stora Enso to design, manufacture and install seven filters for the papermaker’s 400 000-ton-per-year paper machine and deinking pulp lines in Langerbrugge, Belgium.
Georgia-Pacific Corp. and the Pulp and Paper Division of Hercules Inc. have signed a deal whereby Hercules will manage the process chemicals for G-P’s 11 US mills and functional chemicals at all its US mills, except for one. The contract will be in effect until 2005.
In another chemicals deal, Kemira has acquired North America Vinings Industries for US$138-million ($220-million). In the sale, it obtains seven production units in US and Canada.
Weyerhaeuser has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to supply a new MH headbox — CIV with dilution control. It will be installed on the R5 paper machine to produce high quality wood-free fine papers. Delivery of this 3000 fpm, 231 inch headbox is scheduled for summer 2002.
The order includes erecting, start-up, training, and optimization services for the new technology. This is the 5th headbox of this type ordered through MHI in North America since the purchase of the intellectual property of Beloit Corporation paper machinery division. Today, more than 110 headboxes of this design are in operation worldwide.
This headbox is designed to provide the highest resolution cross-directional profile control technology available. MHI offers a full range of paper making equipment and systems for graphic, packaging, and tissue grades.
The C.A. Lawton Company, De Pere, WI, has recently supplied the following to Canadian mills: spare nylon rings to Interlake Papers for its mill in St. Catharines, ON; new gearing to Strathcona Paper Co. for its mill in Napanee, ON; and refilled nylon rings to Domtar Papers for its mill in Vancouver, BC.
Australian Paper’s Burnie mill has ordered Metso Automation’s PaperIQ quality control system, which includes complete online measurement with MD and CD control functions.
CALENDER ROLLS: NoWEAR ELIMINATES SMEARING IN SOFT CALENDER BEARINGS
SCARBOROUGH, ON — Paper mills often experience problems in the calender section where the paper is glazed between rolls. The bearings in these rolls need to operate in an environment of varying loads, ranging from virtually zero to full load. During loading, rolling elements in the bearing are forced to accelerate quickly which can lead to smearing problems. “Smearing” is a serious form of wear that will eventually lead to failure. Consequently, the bearings have to be replaced, which involves substantial costs in materials, installation and downtime.
NoWear, from SKF Canada Ltd., is a coating especially adapted to bearings and prevents failure where conventional bearings cannot. It can prevent failure where conventional bearings cannot in an application suffering from wear, poor lubrication and other harsh conditions. The coating can successfully be applied in a wide range of bearing applications that operate in demanding environments.
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