Maintenance in the spotlight

Plant & Asset Management 2012 comprises an exhibition and a series of topical seminars. It takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 17th to 19th April

Plant & Asset Management has the support of key sector organisations, including the British Compressed Air Society, and the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers.

Companies already booked include: Antech Hydraulics, Artesis, ChA Oil/Triple R, Das Developments, Derma Shield, Flir, EA Technology, Flowcrete, Fluke, Forward Industrial Products, GDO Engineering, Helmets UK, Icon Research, Idhammar Systems, Keytracker, Mainnovation, Mistras, Monition, Petro-Canada, PCMS, RMS, Schaeffler, Shire Systems, Strategic Maintenance, Tempus Software, Testo and Xetec, plus many more.

Seminars and workshops Running alongside Plant & Asset Management will be a comprehensive programme of technical seminars and workshops covering a diverse range of topics that will be of interest and value to plant, maintenance and asset management professionals, as well as offering networking opportunities.

The sessions will be presented by industry experts from suppliers, trade associations or professional bodies and will include case studies from front line practitioners.

The event will have two free seminar theatres. DFA Media recommends booking in advance to guarantee a seat. Interest is reported to be high, with the floor plan having to be enlarged to accommodate additional stand space and a second seminar theatre added.

Presenters will include: Andrew Stevens, from EA Technology who will deliver a session on 'Condition Assessment of HV Assets', EA Technology has developed condition assessment techniques over the last 40 years that are recognised and used globally.

Stevens will describe these techniques and explain that, when used in conjunction with the Health & Safety Guidelines, HSG230, they not only make sure legal obligations are met but also ensure the continuous operation of high voltage assets.

Timothy Bradshaw, an applications specialist with Mistras, will deliver a session on the 'Application of On line Asset Inspection and Monitoring'. His presentation will explain how 'The use of on line inspection and monitoring techniques allows the intelligent prioritisation of asset maintenance that minimises unnecessary down time'. He will discuss the range of techniques that are available (together with their benefits and restrictions) - techniques covering pipework, storage tanks, pressure vessels, structures, transformers, etc, that allow the maximum amount of data about an asset's condition to be established without its removal from service.

Places soon filled for Geoff Walker's seminar on Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring - how to monitor for mechanical, electrical and operational faults simultaneously and cost effectively, so Walker has agreed to present a second seminar.

Other sessions planned include: The early and accurate detection of rolling element bearing faults; Risk mitigation through strategic maintenance and reliability; Knowledge management and global asset management; OEE and effective asset management; and Linking maintenance and asset management.

The seminar theatres will give delegates the opportunity to pick up best practice tips and valuable advice from a variety of speakers, representing a cross section of the engineering and manufacturing sector.

As the UK continues its slow emergence from recession, there are encouraging signs that it is being led by a resurgent manufacturing sector.

Darrell Moffatt, part of the sales team at Abbey Wood Marketing, comments: "Only companies that have ensured that their physical assets, the plant and machinery on which their businesses depend, are fit for purpose will benefit from the upturn. The Plant & Asset Management Exhibition 2012 will deliver maintenance and asset management solutions that will enable UK manufacturing industry to take advantage of the opportunities offered by established and emerging economies throughout the world." Further details of the exhibition and seminar programme are available at: www.maintenanceuk-expo.com.