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ATLANTA-- September 9, 2002--
The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST)
is well known within the pulp and paper industry as
a graduate school of paper science and a world-class
research facility. The Atlanta-based Institute has
a major corrugated research facility containing the
only publicly available pilot corrugator. Run by Michael
Schaepe, this laboratory has a Langston finger-type
single-facer corrugator and several other pieces of
equipment for the production of limited runs of products
for testing. In addition, the facility has a complete
testing lab for corrugated, boxboard, and paper products.
Today IPST is pleased to announce
that it has enhanced its converting research capabilities
through the installation of a unique double-backer section.
The addition of this new section offers customers converting
research capabilities to investigate material and process
variables that effect corrugated board manufacture and
performance. Dr. Jim Ferris, President of IPST, says, "The
new double-backer section will allow our researchers
the ability to test a wide range of variables that effect
the corrugating and converting process. This new capability
will allow us to evaluate current manufacturing practices
and apply research findings to develop practical solutions
for the corrugated industry."
Michael Schaepe, Associate Scientist
says, "We are very grateful to all of the companies
that donated equipment to IPST to make this dream a reality.
The double-backer was donated to IPST by Procter & Gamble,
Armstrong Machine Works provided the steam system, Albany
International provided the corrugator belts, and Corrugated
Gear provided a complete Hotfoot™ heat transfer
system. One of the unique features of this machine is
that it contains both a conventional hot plate hold-down
section and the Corrugated Gear Hotfoottm air plenum
system. This will allow for the direct comparison of
conventional and modern hot-plate hold-down technologies."
Corrugated Gear owner David Lauderbaugh
stated, "Our contribution is part of our long-standing
commitment to support research in areas that will benefit
our customers and provide scientific data to dispel rhetoric
and rumor." Lauderbaugh called for others in the
industry to support IPST's effort to provide much-needed
research in the area of corrugated manufacturing.
About IPST
Founded in 1929, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology
(IPST) has established itself as the premier institute for the
advanced study of pulp and papermaking processes in the United
States. IPST is a privately funded graduate research institute
whose scientific and educational purpose evolves from its unique
relationship with the pulp and paper industry. Commercialization,
not publication, is the end result of research at IPST, which
was recently ranked the fifth most innovative research institution
in the United States by the Research Foundation of the State
University of New York.
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