Zero-Span fibre quality indicators, especially the FS and  L numbers which are key indices of average fibre strength and length, are vital to the Mondi pulp operations at their Steti, mill in the Czech Republic.  The Steti mill first acquired its Zero-Span capability in 2002 and its experience since has led it to place an increasing value on the FS and L data it collects - so much so that in 2012 it invested in a second Zero-Span tester to provide back-up which QS Fibre built, shipped, and supervised installation. 

But between August 2016 and September 2017 the mill's zero-span back-up capability was lost to them. After fifteen years of reliable operation, its original zero-span tester was generating what were clearly inaccurate readings. Two technicians dispatched by Pulmac Systems both failed to identify and correct the problem. Instead, Pulmac Systems offered to restore Mondi`s back-up with an expensive complete overhaul.

Then the game changed when QS Fibre was released from its non-compete obligation to Pulmac Systems and was able to again provide and support zero-span technology. QS Fibre re-introduced itself to Mondi management and they quickly recognized an opportunity to explore a third way. The underlying problem was easily identified remotely by QS Fibre and the solution was to replace a single component. Mondi Steti ordered the part and installed it themselves with the help of some simple instructions provided by QS Fibre. The underlying problem was now corrected. But now Mondi Steti wanted an assurance that the tester was in proper calibration and, if possible, to have it calibrated to reproduce the numbers generated by their newer zero-span tester. For that, QS Fibre had to dispatch a technician on-site. The calibration objective was achieved with both hardwood and softwood reference pulps.  According to mill management, the total cost to Mondi Steti to have this important back-up capability restored by QS Fibre was a fraction of the cost of the overhaul offered by Pulmac Systems. 

And that is just one way that QS Fibre strives to help its customers make pulp, paper, and board, ...BETTER!

Communicating through lawyers, Pulmac Systems International of Williston, Vermont has expressed its frustrations with QS Fibre's re-entry into the marketplace following the expiration on 21 May 2017 of our non-compete obligation. They seem to fear that customers may be confused and think that they are dealing with Pulmac Systems, a company incorporated in 2012, when they in fact are dealing with QS Fibre, incorporated as Pulmac Inc in 2003. Let me set the record straight. Other than the fact that QS Fibre, was an original shareholder in Pulmac Systems before selling its shares in 2013 and terminating its business association in 2015, QS Fibre has no association whatsoever with Pulmac Systems.  In fact, QS Fibre competes with the relative newcomer. We strongly believe our products and services to be superior and we strive to bring them to the market at a better price. Unused to competition, Pulmac Systems does not appear to be handling it well. We, on the QS Fibre team, say let the market be the judge.

QS Fibre has just released its new image analysis software. The application runs in Windows 7-10 and all you need in addition to your PC is a flat-bed scanner. Install the freeware software and you're good to go. There is a single platform licensing USB hardware dongle that is available for purchase that will unlock QualScan's full functionality. But the freeware without the dongle will perform a particle count and provide a total area and average area reading. The scanned area of interest is a 205 mm diameter circular region drawn from the reference corner of the scanner bed. With the purchased dongle in place, QualScan provides more complete measurements including perimeter, luminosity, and circularity. It also stores results in a retrievable and exportable database.

Get in touch with QS Fibre or your local representative to get your free download!

Operating from his base in Keene, New Hampshire, Jeff Fisher is back at it. Jeff puts two decades of experience working with Pulmac instruments behind the support he can offer anyone who rings him up. In a word, Jeff is KEENE to join our efforts to help producers using our equipment to make pulp paper and board ...BETTER!

The AutoScan began its life  in the particle board industry. Lighting limitations restricted its ability to'see' such that the larger particles associated with MDF processes were largely all the AutoScan could sense with a decent degree of repeatable precision. But the steady advances in LED technology has put those restrictions far in the past. Now the AutoScan effortlessly images the smallest pulp fibres and can be used to monitor changes in user pre-determined size classifications. So the  AutoScan can report on levels of fines as well as shives.

Finally, a cheap AND effective means to keep an eye on fibre quality.

Over the past two years since we parted ways with Pulmac Systems we have not been inactive. In addition to maintaining our market presence with the QS Fibre AutoImager, we have focussed R & D efforts on the improvement of our  image capturing system and our fine slot cutting capability. 

Brent Cowan, principal, has been able to dedicate additional time in management consulting in support of the Black Watch Military Tattoo,  recently held in Montreal's Bell Centre to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He has also been active further developing the aerial advertising business of friend and business associate, Montreal aviator par excellence, G.P Ciambella.