Features Research & Innovation
Paperweek International 2004: Ingenuity in Focus for Gadget Competition

The Gadget Competition, sponsored by Pulp & Paper Canada, attracted 17 entries in 2003, all of them geared to make the job environment safer and the tasks easier for the mill workers. Pulp & Paper Canada’s thanks go to the Mechanical Engineering and Maintenance Committee for judging the submissions and to PAPTAC for organizing this event.

FIRST PRIZE: Drain Unclogger by PIERRE HOULE and RENE BROCHU, Domtar, Windsor The unclogger was designed to unblock drains which were obstructed by solid, corrosive material without endangering the worker.

SECOND PRIZE: Wrap Line/Conveyor Air Bag by BRIAN DANIELS, NorskeCanada, Port Alberni The airbag is used to push rolls of paper out of the in-floor conveyor. When the wrap line is down due to a breakdown or for maintenance, this device allows paper rolls to be easily removed form the conveyor. The paper rolls are stored on the open floor until the wrap line is back in operation. The airbag is slid under the lowest point of the roll and the air is injected into the bag, which in turn pushed the roll out of the conveyor. The airbag can also be slid in from the side of a line of rolls to start rolls moving.

THIRD PRIZE: Metal Block – Grapple Skidder by ALBERT LANDRY, JEANNOT COTE and YVES AUBIN, Tembec-Spruce-Falls, Kapuskasing The purpose of this device is to prevent incidents associated with the method of installing and removing a metal block, which is placed between the frame and the walking beam of a grapple skidder.

FIRST HONOURABLE MENTION: No. 19 Boiler Bed Camera Port Cleaner by HECTOR DUBE and GUY WONG., NorskeCanada, Powell River This device cleans the mouth and the surrounding area of the lens insertion pipe through which a camera can look directly into the #19 Boiler. This gives the operators a better view of the furnace.

SECOND HONOURABLE MENTION: Saveall Sections Extractor by PHILIPPE DUFOUR, Bowater, Dolbeau Due to suction problems at the saveall, mechanical work is necessary to correct the problem. The purpose of this device is to lift the ends of the piece of equipment and to repair the base without damage.