OPERATION FOCUS The main edger at the EACOM mill
We’re at about 101% of our target recovery, so the numbers were right on the money
following in addition to supply and installation of the equipment. • Engineering and installation of the equipment sub-structure • Mechanical equipment installation • Electrical installation • Dismantling of existing equipment • Modifications to existing walkways, platforms and handrails and stairs • Equipment guarding and barriers to meet OSHA standards • The supply and installation of debris, sawdust, chips and tailing containment • The supply and installation of hydraulics, saw lube, water and pneumatic tie-ins • Surface cleaning and painting of all installation welds and exposed steel.
The tight schedule called for a maximum of seven days from the start of demolition to installation completion. John Jacques, USNR project manager, reiterated that the tight timeline for installation and commissioning was the major challenging aspect for this project. “Turnkey projects can be challenging in the way that you are always having to react to issues that arise, and react in such a way that you do not impact the cost or the schedule,” he said. “There are many actions taking place at any one time, and it can be challenging to balance out the priorities of things that have to happen in a certain order.”
Results are “right on the money” Lemky is very pleased with the outcome of the project and the performance of the new edger line. “The performance test actually exceeded the requirements of the contract,” he said. “Our target was about 40 pieces/minute, or an average of about 1200 pieces/hour. Some days we get up to 1,500 pieces/h, but we can have heavy surges so it varies quite a bit.” Lemky went on to say that the mill’s goal was to be able to handle the piece count, and to improve recovery between 10-12 points. “We were expecting to get a solid recovery increase because we could then adjust our primary cutting equipment to maximise the capability of the new edger line, and we did,” he said. “We’re at about 101% of our target recovery, so the numbers were right on the money. The project was carried off just about flawlessly. That doesn’t
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mean there were no surprises, but the surprises were dealt with properly and immediately.” He is also very satisfied with the level of support EACOM has received from USNR. “Within the company, our Timmins mill is largely a USNR mill now, and that level of support has always been very good. USNR has provided better support than other vendors.”
Team effort Personnel from EACOM that were involved in the project include the following. Pierre Bows was Project Coordinator and is also the Nairn Centre Site Superintendent. He was responsible for the organisation and execution of the project from the mill’s side. Harrison Wicks, Mill Manager, was involved in overseeing the project. Lemky explained his role as VP of Manufacturing for EACOM’s Ontario mills. “I consult with the mill managers and crew, outline goals and discuss what type of equipment we need, how it will be laid out and how to have it installed so we minimise downtime. Then I source the equipment they need to achieve the mill’s target goals. It’s my responsibility to give the mills and mill managers the tools to achieve the goals the company holds them accountable to.” Formed in 2008 during the bottoming out of the forest products market, EACOM Timber is strategically investing to retool the mill operations it acquired with the purchase of Domtar Forest Products Division in 2010. IFI