Online exclusives.

Additional original feature material is available on www.tappi.org. To access the following articles, go to www.tappi.org, click on "Publications," then the Solutions! link, then the "Online Exclusives" link. In January, you can access the following features:

POLYMERIC SURFACE PRESS FABRICS IMPROVE SMOOTHNESS

By Giovanni Cristini

Press fabrics continue to evolve, introducing new concepts and innovative materials. Now, through image analysis, it is possible to obtain a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the interface of the press fabric and the sheet. New technology has enabled the marriage of the high surface finish of the "transfer belt" with the necessary porosity to dewater the sheet during nip loading.

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL ALLIANCES

By Ed Rigsbee, CSP 

A recent survey of U.S. executives shows that sixty-four percent of the responding executives plan to increase the use of strategic alliances during the next two years. But how are they going to make these intended alliances successful? Through his work with alliances, the author has discovered three simple key activities necessary for achieving successful alliances.

WINNING SUPPORT FOR RBM 

By Jay West

Whether your firm bleaches pulp for paper, refines petroleum, or manufactures, your company executives are expected to watch the bottom line. They want equipment up and running at full capacity so they can meet their output goals--even if it means pushing the equipment beyond its original design capacity. And they want it done with an ever-shrinking maintenance budget! You know a reliability-based maintenance management approach can provide the solution. Here are five practical steps toward gaining a consensus among your entire team for aggressively pursuing a plant-wide equipment reliability initiative.