THE I-FISCH SYSTEM

The I-fisch system is an integrated paper mill operations planning and finite scheduling system with an emphasis on minimising the cost of waste paper mix. The system is designed to be used in real time to schedule and plan mill operations. With the I-fisch system, a mill planner can not only schedule all paper machines and pulping systems, but also optimise waste paper and virgin pulp use.

It has created a new paradigm in paper mill operations planning by scheduling paper machines and pulping systems simultaneously with an emphasis on minimising raw material costs. Its engines optimise the complete path of fibre use and ensure that waste is eliminated and the cheapest fibres are used.

While scheduling paper machines, the system considers the capacities and capabilities of pulping systems. In addition, while scheduling pulping systems, it considers what is being scheduled on paper machines. Thus, paper machines are loaded in a way that ensures the correct mix of pulp is available in the right quantities and pulp lines are scheduled to produce the right type of pulp in the right quantities at the right time. The result is a ‘balanced’ schedule.

In a balanced schedule, paper machines are scheduled such that the consumption of pulp at paper machines matches the production at pulping systems. In contrast, in an unbalanced schedule, paper machines are over scheduled (550 tons/day), requiring the pulping system to produce more pulp than is needed. The excess leads to overdelivery at paper machines, a waste of pulp, and increased overall costs.