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Kruger is a major Canadian pulp and paper company engaged in the manufacturing of newsprint, coated paper, recycled linerboard, corrugated containers, and wood products.
Back in 2003 Kruger purchased a 20kN Zwick materials testing machine.
It all started with a cold call during the winter of 2002 by Zoran Todosijevic, the Canadian Sales Representative of Zwick USA.
Zoran learned that Kruger wanted to dramatically improve their testing capability and that their management was currently looking for a variety of paper testing instruments to carry out various tests according to the TAPPI standard.
The required testing system would have to be used for carrying out tests for Kruger’s external customers, as well as their own production monitoring. In addition, new regulations concerning the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) meant that all such goods must now be packaged in United Nations Performance Packaging. Although they already carried out testing using another instrument, Kruger wanted to expand their capability to ensure that they were able to meet all of these new demands, and so began the process to find new testing equipment.
A short time before Zwick had just completed a radically different hardware/software concept for paper and board testing. Zoran did an on-site machine demonstration to present this modern all-in-one modular Zwick solution, capable of performing standard and advanced paper tests, to Mr. Joe Oleiro, the Kruger Quality Manager.
Zwick’s concept was innovative, yet easy to understand and use. The powerful and intelligent testXpert® software was intuitive and could easily manage the complex testing and reporting needs. As all tests could be carried out using the same machine, and therefore the same user interface, the logging and recording of test data virtually eliminated all the existing manual processes, and saved time and cost for each test. Setting up the machine parameters was a breeze as everything was automated in the testXpert® software. The progress of each test could be seen graphically on the PC during the test, and all of this data could be automatically recorded, stored internally, or sent directly to the customer. It was instantly clear that this was exactly what Joe wanted for his laboratory.
Although the initial investment was slightly more expensive than other equipment available, Joe quickly realized that the modularity of the Zwick system offered unprecedented advantages, both in terms of daily use and cost, compared to the traditional “one-machine-one test” concept. Once the machine was in place Kruger could realize cost savings simply by adding additional modules to expand the system’s testing capabilities.
With the twin-column, extended-width Zwick machine, Kruger is now able to perform seven different tests by mounting different fixtures on the one machine. Tests done regularly now include the edge crush, ring crush, burst, tensile, compression, pin adhesion, box crush test and the “stiffi” test.
Today, three years after the initial purchase, Kruger continues to be extremely satisfied with their Zwick system and the testing results it generates.
For more information on how to save cost using the wide range of paper and board testing equipment offered by Zwick visit our website www.zwick.com or contact us at info@zwickroell.eu to discuss any aspect of your paper or board testing requirements.
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