Maintain the knowledge

Now in its 37th year, the industrial maintenance and asset management show Maintec returns to Birmingham's NEC from 28 February to 1 March. Organiser EasyFairs says that managers, engineers and technicians will not only be able to see the latest technologies, they'll also be able to catch up on best practice, taking advantage of Maintec's so-called LearnShop seminar series. LearnShop seminars, which run on all three days, cover subjects ranging from maximising plant efficiency and minimising breakdown potential, to practical applications of ATEX, bridging the maintenance skills gap, the nuances of successful FMEA (failure mode and effect analysis) and practical methods for saving and recovering energy. All of which should be worth attention, particularly given the line-up of supporters, which ranges from the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) to the Institute of Asset Management, Facilities Management Association, UK Thermography Association and IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology). BCAS, for example, will be playing host to a compressed air advice clinic, where it will answer questions on compressed air system legislation, standards, energy and environmental efficiency. As for leak detection, BCAS makes the point that compressed air systems consume more than 10% of industrial electrical energy, so its leak detection challenge to visitors is to find out about the new assessment standard (ISO 11011), being developed by ISO (WG 4) with assistance from BCAS, which considers the entire system, from energy inputs to work performed. Also on this theme, CompAir will be offering free compressor audits – analysing air use against parameters, including pressure requirements, power consumption and flow rates. The company promises to identify ways to improve performance, such as changing the size and mix of fixed and regulated-speed compressors or investing in new, more energy-efficient machines. Meanwhile, new to Maintec 2012 is a specialist hazardous area called HAZEX, where visitors can find out about the latest products, legislation, case studies and techniques applicable to those working in hazardous areas and handling hazardous materials. As part of HAZEX, RRC's stand will feature a hazard spotting game with multiple levels to complete and £500 of training vouchers available to winners on each of the show days. And visitors can take advantage of 'Dr T's Safety Clinic', where RRC director Dr David Towlson says he will answer questions about any health, safety and environmental issues that affect you at work. So much for the events; moving on to products due to make an appearance. Ro-Dor, for example, will show industrial doors, including a fully functional Dynaco Rapid Roll door, said to cut energy wastage and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, SRO Solutions is to major on its asset management system, based around IBM's Maximo software. In a similar vein, Siveco UK will be exhibiting its mid-market maintenance management systems, which, says the firm, can handle all plant or project sizes. Its mobile technology works with smartphones, iPads and 3G mobile devices. Elsewhere, Testo will be introducing its new thermal imaging SuperResolution technology, said to double the geometric resolution of its cameras' thermal images. Similarly, Flir is due to launch several products for condition monitoring, fault analysis, energy management and inspection. Watch out for the Flir E-Series, described by Flir as offering the best value in thermal imaging and digital camera resolution, plus wireless transmission of images and other data to mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads. Incidentally, if you want independent advice on maintenance instruments, go to the 'Lions' Lair', where maintenance products and services will be put to the test by a panel of industry users, who say they are not afraid to speak their minds. your at a-glance guide What?Maintec When?28 Feb to 1 March Where?NEC, Birmingham How?Go to www.easyfairs.com/maintecuk