First Prize: CARL FERLAND, Abitibi-Consolidated, Thorold, ON: Disc filter sector holding device.Disc filter sector maintenance is an ongoing task that consists of removing old filter bags, cleaning th…
First Prize: CARL FERLAND, Abitibi-Consolidated, Thorold, ON: Disc filter sector holding device.
Disc filter sector maintenance is an ongoing task that consists of removing old filter bags, cleaning the stainless steel sectors and installing new filter bags. The work is labor-intensive and has potential for injuries due to the size of the sectors, their shape and weight. All sectors were repaired on a large table, which required the sectors to be lifted and turned. A device was needed to allow safe handling while repairs were underway. A holding and turning device was constructed using materials found in the maintenance shop. An old pump bearing frame was modified and attached to an iron support that was mounted to a column at an appropriate height. A plate and angle iron sector holder is fastened to one end of the pump shaft and a specially machined coupling is mounted on the other shaft end. The holder has a tapered opening to allow easy sector entry. A two-way counterweighted handle is mounted to the pump support to lock the shaft in the vertical or horizontal position when it’s engaged, with notches in the coupling hub. This device has been used by mill maintenance personnel for more than five years. The benefits are an ergonomically correct work area, reduced labor required to perform repairs and less risk of back, arm and leg strain. The holder is easy to use, there are no pinch points and sector handling damage is minimized.
Second prize: LYNE LIVERNOCHE, RICHARD DESLAURIERS, Perkins Papers, Lachute, QC: Sample cut guide.
This tool is used in conjunction with a quality control procedure pertaining to raw material. The tool allows the cutting of samples in machine direction more easily and rapidly by reducing the risk of error. This apparatus has a guide that allows the tool to be used far from the edge of a roll where one often finds impurities and physical distortions. The cutting guide can be used with rolls of various dimensions without completely removing its casing. It has a solid design with a steel frame. Its flexible ruler is made of a synthetic that conforms to the roll’s shape. As far as the parallel bars are concerned, they guarantee a perfect alignment in the machine direction. The gadget has been in use for almost a year and has been used to cut more than 150 samples.
Third prize: DAN DE MONTIGNY, Spruce Falls Inc., Kapuskasing, ON: Sluicing shower.
The shower is used to wash stock overflows and dilute chemical leaks. It transforms a standard wash-up hose into a flooding shower with out any tools or hook-up time. It is made to fit over a standard McMaster rubber nozzle and is made from general stock items — stainless steel flange, pipe, tubing, tee, flat steel and flat bar, bushings, wing nuts and cap screws. It is small and portable. The sluicing shower can be left unattended without fear of unwanted spraying.
Honorable Mention: REGIS BRASSARD, Alliance Forest Products, Dolbeau, QC: The Splash-Away.
The principle behind the Splash-Away is simple. It consists solely of the modification of a polyethylene bucket used for sampling in a mill. The objective is to avoid burns while taking samples of pulp slurry. Two openings are made in the bucket. The bucket is placed under the sampling point. A flexible hose is passed through the top opening in the bucket. A small sampling bucket is placed inside the Splash-Away. The flexible hose must extend a minimum of six inches inside the cover and a minimum of two inches inside the smaller sampling bucket. The Splash-Away is rotated to ensure that the lateral opening is facing away from the person taking the sample. The sampler uses one hand to open the sample valve while holding the flexible hose with the other hand.
Honorable Mention: SERGE TRUDEL, Abitibi-Consolidated, Amos, QC: Dodge coupling press (PS type).
The use of the press to release couplings from their centering holes has reduced the risk of injury. Furthermore, because the press is completely supported and equipped with anti-skid handles, this operation has become safer and easier to perform. It should be noted that in the case of heavier couplings, the apparatus can be supported by a ratchet hoist puller. Three presses of different sizes were made to release larger couplings from one-quarter or three-eighths-inch plates cut in half circles and connected by one-quarter-inch flat bars upon which handles made from concrete reinforcement bars are used for their anti-skid capabilities. Jack screws are found on either side to compress the coupling.
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