I have finished a 2-D version of the Optimization Problem in spreadsheet form.
It yields some interesting results (all numbers are metric):
A 1,000 tonne per day mill, manufacturing 200 gsm linerboard with a nominal trim width of 3,000 mm will operate at a speed of 1,157 meters/minute and occupy a machine floor of 1,304 square meters.
Hold all variables constant except trim width (reduce to 2,000 mm) and the speed goes up to 1,936 meters/minute but the machine floor space is reduced to 1,154 square meters.
Hold all variables constant except trim width (reduce to 1,000 mm) and the speed goes up to 3,472 meters/minute but the machine floor space is reduced to 1,004 square meters.
Lots to think about here, but it looks like wider is not necessarily the optimum way to go.
If you would like a copy of the spreadsheet to review and play with, send an email to jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com. I'll send you a confidentiality and waiver agreement, then, upon execution, send you the sheet.
We'll continue on with this next month.
