This is our new, state of the art, weld overlay trailer which our talented men at Miller Mechanical were able to design and fabricate to suit our needs in the maintenance of the pulp and paper industry. This uniquely designed space will hold a number of items specifically suited to complete weld overlay jobs in mills that require this procedure. Such things as vertical tracks, hooks for lead cords, and cabinets for spare parts and consumables are just a few of the updates that will assist the field crew in making their job a little easier and more efficient.

A local custom manufacturer and machinist required a cost effective method to create a one-off “rack and pawl” adjustment system for a customer project. They inquired to see if Miller Mechanical could make “cost effective” a reality. The 1.25″ thick rack and 1.0″ thick pawl have tight tolerances that would require expensive tooling for a machining center to create the accurate mating surfaces. The plasma cutting system was out of the question due to the uncontrolled heat that would be instilled in the parts. The water jet became the only option to make the “one-off” parts accurately.

Here we see two of our seasoned Miller fabricators putting some final touches on a surge tank made from carbon steel. This will to be shipped today to a southern pulp and paper customer for on-site installation.

 A surge tank is an attachment to a pressurized system designed to accommodate pressure changes. The purpose of a surge tank is to neutralize rises and falls in pressure to prevent system failures, blowouts, and other problems. The surge tank is normally attached at the highest point of the system. When the pressure rises, forcing fluids upward, they shift into the tank rather than blowing out the system.

 Recently a pulp and paper mill in British Columbia invested $1.2-million in a surge tank between the mechanical pulping line and the paper machines. This contributed to a record-setting month. Without the tank, the division was losing about 2 percent production or 800 tons, every month on average because it didn’t have the surge capacity.

These pack box assemblies were fabricated by the Miller shop crew from carbon steel. They are then palletized and sent to our customer in Louisiana.  The Miller Mechanical field crew will then install them into a diffuser. 

The pack boxes allow filtrate to be distributed to the hollow shaft of the diffuser. The shaft supplies the filtrate to the upper and lower distribution arms. The excess filtrate is pulled through the screens and out.

Our up and coming young welder/fabricator is shown here as he works on a perforated insert for a sand separator. The sand separator is part of a system in the pulp and paper industry used to separate the dirt and sand out of the wood chips that will eventually be processed into paper. This piece of equipment is made from Duplex 2205 to insure a longer life on this heavily used apparatus.

Modifications were performed, beginning with a design evaluation to ensure fitness for the new service. The existing tubes and partition were removed and replaced with Duplex tubes and a 304L pass partition. Supports were removed and replaced with two new legs for horizontal service.  A new drain nozzle was installed as well as lifting lugs on both end covers for ease of removal. The unit was then hydro-tested for the new service conditions. Finally the exterior was sand blasted and primed. The result was significant cost savings for the mill and another example of Miller’s ability and craftsmanship when it comes to a quality product.



A problem was swiftly solved by the Miller Field Crew in Orange, Texas working closely with our Miller Fabrication Crew this week. 

Tuesday morning our field crew were working at an Orange, TX mill. It was noted that a steaming vessel inlet nozzle was beyond repair. The turn-around had to be fast to design, fabricate, ship and install.

By Thursday afternoon the nozzle left Glens Falls, NY. 

Friday morning the carbon steel, ASME code inlet nozzle was being readied for installation. With the assistance of our fabrication crew working a 24 hour day and the highly compentent hands of the field crew, the final fabrication adjustments were made. The men from the Miller crew were able to continue the shut-down as scheduled.

Both Miller Mechanical’s fabrication and field crews are to be commended

New “green” energy saving lights have been added to the majority of our buildings at Miller.

Pictured are the old fixtures that of course will be sold or recycled.

The new ones have been installed today.

Miller will have an annual cost savings of over $8,000.

Most importantly there is a CO2 savings of over 63,000 lbs. as per National Grid.

There you have it, less electricity used and Miller continues to strive to be a “Greener”  and more environmentally friendly, hometown company.



One of Miller’s latest fabrications is this Top Separator Head which is formed from carbon steel with a 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel elbow. It is an ASME code vessel which is placed atop a pulp and paper digestor. The objective of the Top Separator Head is to separate chips and excess transfer liquid. The chips then start their continual movement down the digester.

At the bottom of a pulp and paper digester, the scraper turns to break up any chip plug and move the chips to the center of the vessel. This will eventually discharge the pulp. Miller Mechanical, with amazingly precise welds, has fabricated a bottom scraper with a 304L stainless hub and carbon steel arms. The arms have Duplex steel welded to the leading edge for longer wear while processing. Pictured is the scraper with the cone.

The current customer is unsure of how to proceed with this older vesse…repair or dismantle.

The new Steaming Vessel has been meticulously fabricated with a carbon steel shell and a bonded stainless steel liner. It has been 100% P.T.’d as well as X-rayed.

The new vessel has been reviewed by the customer with glowing results and will have an on time delivery.  

A self-made man with little formal education. He was able to show what hard work and determination could do in the land of the free.

His vision continues.

Here we have another picture of our current project which is coming to a close. It is the steaming vessel that will be painted this week and shipped to the delight of our customer because it has passed inspection, is on time and on budget. Another example of made in the USA. This is where quality and customer satisfaction continue to be most important.