JEDDAH, 15 July — Fifty mechanical and civil engineers in Jeddah recently completed a one-day course on basic fiberglass technology (FRP) conducted recently by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Western Region chapter.
The seminar is part of PSME’s larger thrust of keeping its members abreast of developments in the field in order to be competitive in the global market, and at the same time, developing their entrepreneurial potentials.
Elias C. Quijano, a chemical engineer whose 18 years of experience in fiberglass industry has made him a master in this field, introduced participants to the basics of fiberglass and some of its uses. They also learned about the materials used in fiberglass fabrication (such as resins and reinforcements), processes and machinery, and design calculation using the FRPD program.
Walter Urbankiewicz, general manager of Saudi Industrial Resins, who supplied the major materials used in the hands-on training, augmented the presentation as he introduced the various types of resins used for various applications.
On top of these, slide and videos were shown with footage from actual projects and applications to illustrate the production process.
Napoleon M. Cepriaso, PSME’s professional enhancement director, said the highlight of the training course was the actual hands-on segment in which participants were given a chance to produce a product made of fiberglass.
“With the assistance of an expert fiberglass technician, the participants were made to follow step-by-step, the actual task of producing the product. Most of the participants made an almost perfect product, although they were amateurs, that earned the admiration of the resource speaker,” concluded Cepriaso.
“The training course has opened a big opportunity and challenge to all mechanical engineers and technicians to further develop the machines and other equipment used in fiberglass fabrication.
Although, fiberglass has been in use for more than half a century, the opportunity is still wide open for advancement in technology in terms of raw materials (including chemicals), processes, equipment and finished products,” said Junn U. Berbie, PSME-WRSA president.