Stora Enso's coated fine paper production plant in Oulu is one of the biggest and most modern manufacturing mills in the world. When the mill underwent expansion it took the opportunity to improve its post-production through the introduction of Rocla Robotrucks's automated guided vehicle system for roll transfers. The benefits of this investment have shown the automated guided vehicle systems versatility in this aspect of the mills operation.

The automated guided vehicle system is one of the key factors in the development of the paper mill's roll processing logistics system. Over the last six years, the mill's annual capacity has more than doubled, to more than 900,000 tons, the weights of the paper rolls having varied between one and three and a half tons. The mill operates continuously throughout the year.

"The paper machines' main paper roll flow is handled by fixed conveyors however, the unmanned automated guided vehicles are really useful when some rolls at the post-processing stage need to be moved to continued processing", notes Tapio Kraatari, production engineer of coating and post-processing at the Oulu mill.

Positive experience
The new automated guided vehicle system is based upon two laser-controlled vehicles supplied by Rocla Robotruck.

"The first one was acquired in 1993 to serve the roll flows of our cardboard production, and the other to the roll transfers of the post-processing stage of the new paper machine PM7, completed in 1997. In addition, we also use several laser- and wire-controlled automated guided vehicle systems from Rocla Robotruck in our sheeting section", says Kraatari.

Changing needs in mind
In 2001, the expansion of the post-processing plant, following renovation of the mill's PK6 paper machine, required upgrades to the roll handling system. The choice was between fixed conveyor system or a more versatile guided vehicle system.

"Our decision was mainly influenced by the fact that the loading and unloading points of the vehicles can be changed, when needed, as they find their routes using rotating laser radars and movable reflectors. Due to their safety bumpers, they stop immediately after having touched any object," says Jouko Takkinen, project engineer at Stora Enso.

Takkinen explains that it was demanding to integrate the new automated guided vehicle system into the mill's operations. "The vehicles are automatically guided according to the roll orders entered into the plant system. This comprehensive system further comprises the conveyor logistics, as well as the proper control of the automated guided vehicles. Combining these systems together was a challenge, as they comprised of so many factors, where every one had its influence on the functioning of the comprehensive system."


For more information, contact:
Rocla Robotruck
Jarmo Kalliomäki, Sales Manager
PL 88
04401 JÄRVENPÄÄ
FINLAND
Tel.: +358 9 271 471
Fax: +358 9 271 471 430
E-mail: Robotruck@rocla.com
www.rocla.com

Company profiles
In 2002, Stora Enso's turnover was 12.8 billion euros. The group's integrated pulp and coated fine paper mill operating in Oulu mainly manufactures coated qualities of 80 to 350 grams. These are marketed under the LumiArt and LumiSilk trade names.
Rocla Robotruck, part of the Rocla Group, is one of the leading automated truck manufacturers in Europe. The group employs 470 people and, in 2002, its turnover was 89.5 million euros. Rocla Robotruck employs about 100 people in two factories, one in Järvenpää, Finland and the other in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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