SOFA is a new tool to determine the fiber mass distribution online in the wet end of both single-wire and twin-wire paper machines. This provides a number of advantages, such as direct access to the forming process, without influence of downstream operations; separate analysis of each layer on multi-ply machines; the effects of individual forming components can be isolated; and shorter feedback times in forming control loops.Typical applications include, according to Innventia, online formation monitoring and detection of large scale basis weight variations (for example streaks).The SOFA system can help the paper and board mills to get control of the variations in product quality. Research has shown the potential of saving as much as five percent of fiber raw material. For an average Nordic board mill (500,000 tons per year), this could mean saving some 125 million Kronor per year. A reduced fiber utilization of 25,000 tons per year also implies a reduced energy consumption by 50 GWh per year.SOFA systems are now being used both within the Innventia research activities and for contract work.