Clean sheet on downtime paper manufacturer

By using the latest control and monitoring technologies, combined with planned maintenance methodology from SKF, operators at the plant have improved maintenance efficiency, increased machine availability and cut operating costs. Stora Enso's Varkaus pulp and paper mill in Finland produces fine paper and newsprint, as well as recycling milk and juice cartons. However, unplanned downtime on its paper machine line three (PM3) was affecting overall productivity at the plant. The company called in SKF and a pilot ODR programme took place. Machine operators received a two-hour theoretical introduction, with a two-hour walk through on site, and SKF provided them with a wireless machine condition detector to record day-to-day readings such as data plots, notes and images from the PM3 machine. As well as recording data, this device was also used to alert operators of changes in machine condition, giving advanced warning of machine deterioration. In addition, a Microlog Analyzer GX instrument was used by the maintenance team for in-depth data recording and analysis for specific areas on the PM3 machine. During the first six months, 20 critical failures were found, contributing to a reduction of unplanned stops by 0.5% during the first year. Each of the ten ODR inspection routes for the PM3 takes approximately 15 minutes, allowing the operators to fit this ongoing maintenance process into their schedule without any need for overtime. The manufacturer says the initial investment to implement the ODR programme paid for itself in the first month.