TESTING TIMES
AVT consultant achieves Category IV status in vibration analysis
AVT Reliability continues to invest in developing the skills of its team of condition monitoring experts in Europe, supporting industries such as pulp and paper, oil and gas, food and beverage, defence and chemical processing. Andy Fyfe, who has worked at AVT Reliability for more than seven years, has now become part of an exclusive group of Vibration Analysts boasting the Category IV status, one of 92 people worldwide known to be qualified to Category IV by Mobius Institute, of whom just six others are in the UK, including another AVT Reliability employee, John Sykes, who became Category IV qualified in 2016. This complex skill set has become necessary to address the shift in the market and the recognition of the need
Millbrook Group expands testing capacity by acquisition
Millbrook, a leading provider of vehicle testing and validation services, has acquired the CSA Leyland Technical Centre, a test service facility in Lancashire, which will now be branded as “Millbrook”. The Technical Centre is the
latest addition to Millbrook’s locations in the UK and Northern Finland, providing vehicle testing and validation services. Millbrook will retain the employees in Lancashire and focus on the continued growth of the business. The CSA Leyland Technical Centre provides test services to the commercial vehicle, automotive and off-highway sectors. Paul Wilkinson will continue to lead the site, backed by the wider Millbrook management team. Millbrook will make initial investments to enhance the test services offered at the site. All of the employees on the site are now employed by Millbrook and will benefit from increasing job security as a result of the tie-up with Millbrook. “We are very excited to become part
of Millbrook as the next chapter for our business,” says Paul Wilkinson, Managing Director - Leyland. “Our
6 /// Testing & Test Houses 2017
for condition monitoring to ensure plant and machinery reliability. Frederic Thomas, Managing Director,
AVT Reliability, said, “Customers are increasingly switching from traditional data collection and analysis support to more revolutionary remote monitoring and analysis approaches using tools such as our unique Machine Sentry software. This enables them to collate and analyse all their monitoring data in one easy to reach, web based location. Automatic fault detection, in conjunction with telephone/web conference support, allows for the most accurate and speedy diagnosis wherever the customer is in the world.” Machine Sentry itself has also been through some further development. “Additional diagnostic features resulting from our continuous development of Machine Sentry enables expert analysis capacity in line with the most renowned systems on the market today,” adds Thomas. EE
They built a wall
Smithers Rapra is engaged in partnering an EU sponsored four year project called FoAM-BUILD, developing novel ETICS External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems. The project will develop thermoplastic particle foam using newly developed raw materials, additives and process set-ups. A wall has recently been constructed at the UK based Smithers Rapra site in Shawbury demonstrating the technology. Elsewhere, Smithers Rapra expert
Lancashire site is steeped in commercial vehicle testing heritage and we are proud to be joining a company that understands our business and the needs of our customers so well.” Alex Burns, President of Millbrook
says: “This acquisition perfectly complements our existing proving ground and testing capabilities. We have a strong track record of growing similar test service businesses and are committed to delivering the highest levels of customer service and technical expertise. I am delighted that Paul Wilkinson will continue to lead the team at the site and I look forward to working with him and his colleagues to take the business forward.” EE
Dr Jason Davies has outlined how gel permeation chromatography (GPC) can be utilised to analyse the properties of polycarbonate materials – and determine whether material failure is inevitable. Understanding how a material will
perform in its operating environment is critical to its success. Due to the low fatigue and wear characteristics and limited chemical resistance of polycarbonates, understanding the material composition will help manufacturers make informed decisions about material usage. Alternatively, gel permeation chromatography can be utilised to determine the root cause of a polycarbonate failure. EE
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