AES helped The Boston Globe automate scrap handling in a new newspaper production facility by combining mechanical conveying, pneumatic air conveyance, compactors, controls, installation, and project management into one integrated system.
Overview
Focus on the move to a new production facility and the need for a clean, efficient system to handle paper scrap automatically.
Mention that the system was designed to collect scrap released from four gripper conveyors onto a slider-bed conveyor, then deliver it to one of two automatic compactors outside the facility. The system also collected trim scrap from sheeting and finishing equipment and air-conveyed it to the compactors.
What problem did AES solve?
AES designed a turnkey paper scrap collection system that automatically captured scrap from multiple production points and conveyed it to outdoor automatic compactors. The system reduced manual handling, improved safety, streamlined scrap flow, and supported The Boston Globe’s new production facility. The new system included an under-roof AirShark separator, auto-tie baler, material handling fans, ducting, hogger, dedicated core shredder, second baler, and corrugator divert system. The result was higher scrap handling capacity, reduced downtime, improved cleanliness, less manual labor, and room for future expansion.
Scope of Work
- Equipment selection
- Pneumatic air conveyance ducting and fans
- Cyclone collector
- Rigging and millwrighting
- Mechanical installation
- Electrical installation
- Professional project management
- System start-up, commissioning, and training
- Welding and fabrication
The Challenge
When The Boston Globe moved its production facility to a new building, the company needed an automated way to collect and manage paper scrap generated throughout the production process.
Scrap was being released from four gripper conveyors, while additional trim scrap was being generated at the sheeting and finishing equipment. The new system needed to capture material from multiple sources and move it efficiently to compactors outside the facility.
The main challenges we had to address:
- Paper scrap was being generated from several production areas.
- Scrap from four gripper conveyors had to be captured automatically.
- Trim scrap from sheeting and finishing equipment required air conveyance.
- The system needed to deliver material to two outdoor automatic compactors.
- Mechanical and pneumatic conveying had to work together in one integrated layout.
AES needed to provide a complete turnkey system that combined equipment selection, controls, installation, structural steel, startup, commissioning, and training into one coordinated project.
The AES Solution
Scrap from four gripper conveyors was captured onto a slider-bed conveyor. From there, it was delivered to one of two automatic compactors located outside the facility. Trim scrap from sheeting and finishing equipment was collected separately and air-conveyed through ducting to one of the compactors.
AES provided equipment selection, controls with touchscreen interface, rigging, installation, integration of equipment, piping and components, structural steel fabrication and erection, startup, commissioning, and training.
AES System Components
The turnkey paper scrap collection system included:
- Slider-bed conveyor
- Pneumatic conveying ductwork
- Material handling fans
- Cyclone collector
- Two automatic compactors
- Electrical control package
- Touchscreen operator interface
- Structural steel supports
- Integrated piping and components
The completed system gave The Boston Globe an automated way to collect paper scrap from multiple production areas and deliver it to outdoor compactors with minimal manual handling.
By combining mechanical conveying, pneumatic air conveyance, controls, installation, and commissioning into one turnkey package, AES helped create a cleaner, safer, and more efficient scrap handling process for the new production facility.
The Results
With the newly installed paper scrap collection system in place, The Boston Globe gained an automated way to capture scrap from multiple production areas and convey it efficiently to outdoor compactors.
The new system also reduced the need for manual scrap handling and helped create a cleaner, safer, and more efficient production environment for the company’s new facility.
Download the Full Case Study
See how AES designed and installed a turnkey paper scrap collection and conveyance system for The Boston Globe’s newspaper production facility.
A Turnkey Paper Scrap Collection System Built for Cleaner, More Efficient Production
This project shows how a properly engineered scrap collection system can support more than waste removal. For The Boston Globe, the new system helped automate paper scrap handling, connect multiple production areas, and create a cleaner, safer, and more efficient process for the company’s new facility.
For newspaper production facilities, commercial printers, paper converters, and other operations handling high volumes of trim, offcuts, and paper scrap, AES designs custom systems around the real production environment, available space, equipment layout, and long-term operating goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
A paper scrap collection system automatically captures, conveys, and processes paper waste generated during printing, publishing, converting, or finishing operations.
The Boston Globe moved its production facility to a new building and needed an automated way to collect scrap from multiple production areas while supporting cleaner, safer, and more efficient operations.
The system included a slider-bed conveyor, pneumatic air conveyance ducting, material handling fans, cyclone collector, two automatic compactors, electrical controls, touchscreen interface, structural steel, and integrated system components.
Scrap from four gripper conveyors was collected onto a slider-bed conveyor and delivered to outdoor compactors. Trim scrap from sheeting and finishing equipment was air-conveyed through ducting to the compactors.
Yes. AES designs turnkey scrap collection and conveyance systems for newspaper production facilities, commercial printers, paper converters, packaging plants, and other operations handling high volumes of paper trim and scrap.
