RIYADH, 16 May — Mechanical engineers in industries such as those engaged in food processing could help a lot in keeping products affordable to consumers.
This was the gist of a lecture by Phil Aston, customer service export manager of Burkert Contromatic, Ltd. (UK), in a seminar attended by Filipino mechanical engineers last Friday in Riyadh.
In the use of automated valves, for instance, Aston said, what is important is to have the correct simplest design and installation application.
He said there is no need for additional elaborate gadgets that will only add up to labor and maintenance expenses.
“Basically, the simpler the process design, the lesser cost the customer will have and with optimum yield of investment,” he explained.
Aston was the resource speaker in a seminar organized by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers-Riyadh Autonomous Provincial Unit (PSME-Riyadh APU), with the topic, “Automation for Easy Fluid Control System and Application.”
Held at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Olaya, the seminar was attended by more than 65 members and non-members of the PSME, as well as certified plant mechanics from different companies in the Central Region.
According to Fernando S. Tantoco, the society’s information technology director, last Friday’s topic may seem mundane to the public in general but what mechanical engineers is very much a part of what consumers see or use everyday.
“Most of what we see now in processing industries in the kingdom, and even in the Philippines, are automated,” Tantoco said, adding that there is a consistent flow of production which is automatically controlled by an apparatus with less time and labor.
A good example, he said, is bottled water. All plastic bottles are in an end-line production for filling.
With a proper control filling, a valve (sample with built-in flow meter), which is already calibrated to a certain volume limit gives preferred volume to fill all bottles systematically such as in milk and beverages industries.
George F. Bahaynon, PSME-Riyadh APU president, said Friday’s seminar, their first ever in Riyadh, is just one of the topics scheduled this year for members and interested non-members as part of the group’s continuing professional enhancement program.
At least three more seminars are planned on subjects such as elevator and escalator, steam power, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. A plant tour is also being planned.
Currently, the group is conducting a pre-board review every Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Second Philippine International School (SPIS) in Suleimania District.
All programs and activities of PSME-Riyadh APU are coordinated with PSME-Western Region (Jeddah Chapter) headed by Juan U. Berbie.
Bahaynon said the PSME’s continuing education program is part of their larger thrust of keeping Filipino mechanical engineers abreast of developments in the field in order to be competitive in the global market.
Those who are not yet members are encouraged to get in touch with Riolando V. Perez, Riyadh APU coordinator, at 053-290432, Bahaynon; at 053-26271 or 241-1222 ext. 3470/9; Tantoco at 477-6351 or 477-3430; Wilfredo T. Tuburan, plant tours director at 056-425369 or 462-4888 ext. 545; Pedro P. Caliwag Jr., sports director, at 265-2325 or 056-419578.