North Carolina State University and TAPPI present:

INTRODUCTION TO PAPER PROPERTIES MILL-OPTIMIZATION & PRODUCT DESIGN
December 9-11, 2008; May 11-13, 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina

Please go to http://store.wps-education.org/ to register for the course.

Special Benefits for Participants

• Learn about paper and board structure and properties
• Hear how to optimize and troubleshoot product quality, and how mill processes affect paper & board properties
• Conduct pilot paper machine and computer lab exercises
• Hear about some future product research and trends
• Learn from the Paper Science & Engineering faculty at NC State

Who Should Attend?

• Mill technical and operating personnel who want to learn how to troubleshoot variations and optimize product quality on a mill wide basis.
• Product improvement and/or development people who want an introductory approach to the process of product development.
• Converters, end users, and purchasers of paper who want to understand more about why paper and board behaves the way it does.

It is very helpful if participants already possess some basic knowledge of pulp & paper processes from any source, including mill experience, attendance at a previous short course, or review of a DVD/CD covering basics of P&P Technology.

Course Overview

The Introduction to Paper Properties short course will focus on two closely related activities that are important to the competitiveness of paper and board producers (1) how to optimize and maintain product properties & quality in the mill, and (2) what basic knowledge is needed to improve and/or design new products.

In order to meet the Overall Course Learning Objectives participants will be surveyed in advance of the course to describe their specific learning objectives, reasons for coming to the course, what knowledge they want to bring back, and what specific problems or improvements they would like to work on and hear discussed.

Paper property fundamentals will be discussed, including:

• Optical Properties
• Mechanical Strength Properties
• Printing Properties
• Barrier Properties
• Dimensional Stability Properties

All participants will learn about the basic three dimensional Structure of paper, Formation Fiber Orientation, MD, CD, and Z direction variations ; and the effects of Fiber Properties, Bonding, Pulp Mill Operations, Stock Preparation, and Paper Machine Operations on paper/board properties. Lecture and lab exercises will cover introductory examination of variables for product development, and product testing.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the structure and properties of paper & board important for various products.
• Understand the variables that determine product properties.
• Learn how actual mill operations impact optimization and/or implementation of  new products.
• Hear about some future directions in Communication Papers, Packaging, and Nano-based products.
• Build a foundation for product development with hands on exercises.

Preliminary Course Schedule

Day 1
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Welcome, introductions, overview of course, review learning objectives
• Overview of Paper Properties and Testing
• Understanding paper structure, including formation, fiber orientation, and three dimensional (MD,CD,Z) variations in structure that affect properties.

Lunch

Session 2 : 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Fibers and Bonding effects on structure and properties
• Effect of  Pulp & Paper Processes on fibers, bonding , paper structure and properties.

Welcome Dinner

Day 2
Session 3: 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Mechanical Properties of Paper – Tensile, Stretch, Modulus, Stiffness, Burst, Tear, Compression Resistance, Ring Crush, STIFI, etc.
• Interactions with Water, Absorption, Dimensional Stability, Curl
• Optical Properties, Brightness, Opacity, Gloss, Scattering
  

Lunch

Session 4: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Printing Properties, Smoothness, Porosity
• Hands On  Pilot Paper Machine Experiment

Day 3
Session 5: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Computer Product Design Exercises
• Product Improvement of Printing & Writing Grades
• Troubleshooting Mill Wide Variations in Paper/Board Strength

Lunch

Session 6: 12:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

• Future Directions for Paper Products
• Discussions covering interests of participants
• Wrap up and evaluations

Course Faculty

Dr Michael Kocurek has been teaching Paper Properties to undergraduates for 20 years at NCSU and the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. He has conducted short courses for over 60 corporations, federal, state and other organizations. He has been editor of 11 books and author of 25 video publications. He is an inductee in the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, in recognition of his contributions to education.

Dr Joel Pawlak has been teaching at NCSU since 2001. He has industrial experience with Eastman Kodak and Haverhill Paperboard. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Paper Properties, Paper Physics and Product Development. His research interests are involved in the modeling of fiber networks, the role of novel processes for the creation of new bio-based materials, the use of enzymes to improve fiber supply, and novel/modified processes for the enhancement of paper properties.

Dr Orlando Rojas has been teaching at NCSU since 2002. He has academic experience from the University of Los Andes in Venezuela, and served as a Senior Scientist at the Swedish KTH. He has authored 2 books, 4 book chapters, and over 120 refereed publications in the field of surface & colloid chemistry. His research focuses on nano and larger scale modifications of cellulose to create new ultra high value products

Registration

The registration fee is $1195. The fee includes tuition, course notebook, refreshment breaks, one dinner, lunches, and a certificate. Lodging is not included in the fee. Please go to http://store.wps-education.org/ to register. Registrations are by online credit card payment only*. The number of students in the course will be limited in size to 30 for maximum effectiveness, and registrations will be accepted in the order they are received. The registration fee should be received no later than two weeks prior to the course start date. Please contact Mari Asanuma (tel. 919-272-0621) if registration is desired less than two weeks prior to the start date. The fee cannot be refunded if cancellation is made less than two weeks prior to the course start date. Substitute participants are welcome.

To register and pay by check, use this registration form.

CEU's

The Education Project Center of TAPPI has been reviewed and approved as an Authoirized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). TAPPI will award 2.6 CEU’s to participants who complete at least 80% of the educational sessions and complete a final program evaluation.

Course Location

Course presentations and workshops will be held on the campus of North Carolina State University, Department of Wood & Paper Science, Biltmore Hall, located on the corner of Western Boulevard and Dan Allen Drive in Raleigh, North Carolina. The campus is located 10 miles from the Raleigh/Durham (RDU) airport, which is served by all major airlines. Transportation from the hotel to campus is by car rental (parking passes are included). A van will also be available. Driving instructions will be sent in registration information packet. Dress is casual.

Hotel

Participants are responsible for their own hotel arrangements. Rooms have been set aside at the RAMADA INN  (919-832-4100), located 2 miles from campus at 1520 Blue Ridge Rd. The hotel has agreed to guarantee room availability up to three weeks  prior to the course start date at the special rate of $75. per night, plus tax. Ask for the NCSU Paper Properties Group Block Rate when making reservations. Transportation to the hotel from the airport is by taxi, or car rental . Driving instructions will be sent in registration packet.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For answers to questions related to course content, please contact DR Michael Kocurek, course director, at 919-515-5812 or mike_kocurek@ncsu.edu. For questions related to registrations,
payment, or logistics, please contact Mari Asanuma at 919-272-0621 or masanuma@nc.rr.com.

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