Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers

Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers

Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers

Keyword: Lubricants

Formally organized in 1944 as the American Society of Lubrication Engineers (ASLE), the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is now claimed to be the foremost association solely dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of tribology.

Nearly 4,500 individual members representing industry, academic institutions and government throughout the USA, Canada and around the world are sharing in the fast-moving research and developments in lubrication theory and practice.

STLE serves as a catalyst to bring together managers, engineers, scientists, and technicians from suppliers, users, academia and the government to solve complex high technology problems associated with lubrication of modern machinery and equipment.

STLE serves as a clearing-house of information on new developments in tribology. Technical publications and technical meetings are the backbone of the Society. A total of 31 industrial centres in the USA and Canada are served by local sections. There are also sections in Australia, Asia and Europe. Industry councils and technical committees cover the entire spectrum of lubrication application from aerospace to the steel industry and cover technical topics ranging from lubrication fundamentals to ceramics.

STLE also provides educational opportunities for its members. A concise two-day course on lubrication basics (tribology) is presented during the Annual Meeting of the Society. Courses on seals, metalworking fluids, bearings, synthetics lubricants, hydraulics, solid lubricants and centralised lubrication systems have been offered.

Of particular interest was the formal launching of a UK Section earlier this year with an inaugural meeting being held on 28 April. The aim of the UK Section is the organisation of regular meetings, intended to be informative and entertaining, and which are hoped to provide excellent opportunities for inter-disciplinary networking. It is the longer term aim to provide elements of the STLE Education Programme referred to above, which has been well received in the USA and in Canada.

STLE UK Committee Members

Section ChairDr Gareth FishGKN Technologies LtdBirmingham New RoadWolverhamptonWest MidlandsWV4 6BWTel. +44 (0)1902 644067Fax. 01902 334778

Vice ChairMr George PlintPlint and Partners LtdOaklands ParkWokinghamBerksRG41 2FDTel. +44 (0)1189781898Fax. 0118 9772281

TreasurerMr Tony BallUnivar plcArgyle HouseEpsom AvenueStanley GreenWilmslow SK9 3RNTel. +44 (0)161 482 6001Fax. 0161 482 6037

SecretaryMr Rod ParkerBritish Lubricants Federation Ltd6th Floor, Hamilton House111 MarlowesHemel HempsteadHerts HP1 1BBTel. +44 (0)1442 230589Fax. 01442 259232

Social ChairMs Margaret HegartyCastrol International Technology CentreWhitchurch HillPangbourne, BerksRG8 7QRTel. +44 (0)118 9765549Fax. 0118 9765360

Education ChairDr David GrahamLondon LubricantsBritannia WayCoronation RoadPark RoyalLondonNW10 7PRTel. +44 (0)181 961 7292Fax. 0181 961 7292

Programme ChairMr Paul SchulhaApplied Chemicals LtdApplied HouseWilsons LaneCoventry CV6 6JATel. +44 (0)1203 368830Fax. 01203 366639

Membership ChairMr Graham LordMillers Oils LtdHillside Oil WorksBrighouseWest YorkshireHD6 3DPTel. +44 (0)1484 713201Fax. 01484 721263

A meeting of the UK Section was held recently at the premises of GKN Technology, Wolverhampton. The speaker on this occasion was Mr Philip Chatfield of the Environment Agency, whose subject was "The impact of environmental regulations on lubrication products and materials".