Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-15
BIRON PAPER MILL
is IMPROVED
Machinery Installed, Additions
Built, and Changes Made For
Making Better Paper.


winter, large force of men have been
engaged at Biron installing new ma
chinery, building new additions to the
old structure, changing the means OF
power transmission, and in general.
Overhduling the whole mill and ar.
ranging it in a more clean, handy,
saving, and stronger shape, with the
aim of making more paper and Of a
better grade, always in view.
Power, and power transmission are
among the two things that are of first
Importance in the operation of a big
mill. At Biron, the old shaft and belt
transmission has been and is being re-
placed with electrically driven ma
chinery, and the immense power tC
operate the machines is now conveyed
in the slender copper cables, in place
of the noisy. cumbersome, dangerous
and costly belts and Shafting. The
difference in the old and the new
methods is shown most clearly in the
basement of the machine room, where
n one side are light, open, simple ar
rangementS for transmitting power.
always accessible; and on the other
side are the old belts and shafts, com
plicated, noisy, unsteady, and in such
shape that they cannot be reached.
The power itself for this new electri-
cal transmission, comes from a 40C
horse power CorlisS engine, new, and
directly connected to big generator.
These machines are located in what
was formerly the blacksmith shop and
which room has been entirely over
hauled for their use. A five panel
switch board directs the disposition
Of the power.
Old floors are being replaced with
concrete; old wooden posts for ma.
chine supports are being Supplanted
by cement pillars. Everywhere in
the Whole mill building, shafts are he
ing fastened to more secure faStenings
and old machinery is being replaced
with new, or arranged so as to make
them more accessible.
A new Jordan refining engine has
taken the place of the old one. making
the pulp of much better quality. The
old one has been installed in another
place where in no other mill is a re.
finer used. Every thing which will
tend to make the pulp just a little
better in quality is being brought
about. Two new 50 inch wet ma.
chimes will soon be ready for use in
the fifty foot addition to the vet
foonl. and in another part of the new
addition, two standard grinders are
being made ready.
On one Of the paper machines, there
have been six more drying rollers
ADDED during the past month, which
has given to the paper now turned out
very fine finish, almost glaze, max
ing it much better for clear printing
The management contemplate adding
ten more drying rolls to the other pa
per machine this summer. and ther
both machines will be run just one
third faster than before. The addi
tions to each machine will guarantee
the quality Of paper for the increased
speed.
We were shown through the mil
Saturday, and had pointed out to III
the changes that had been made il
the Grand Rapids Pulp & Paper Co.
and. were to follow, by Manager V. D
SimonS, who has had charge of tn,
mill only since last July, yet who i
responsible, IN way. for most of th
new mprOvementS. When Mr.
SimonS took charge, he soon expressed
his dissatisfaction as to the condition
of the mill and the amount of worl
they were able to do therein. Most O
the changes that have been made hav
been planned by him, figured out. ma
terial therefor secured by him, an,
under his direction they are being in
stalled. Mr.. Simons has wrought
great change for the better in pape
making conditions at the Biron mil
and when all the changes be contem
plates are made, this mill will be on
of the best equipped and one of tn
best producers along the river.