STLE CONTINUES ITS DRIVE FOR MARKETPLACE RELEVANCE

Toronto, ON — At a meeting at the Old Mill restaurant in Toronto on Sept. 9, 2008, the Toronto Section of the STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers) outlined its latest goals. One is to improve the ability of members and member organizations to operate successfully in the current business environment.

“We want STLE membership to have market relevance and we want STLE members to be recognized as the world’s leading experts on lubricants, applied lubrication practices and tribology research,” reported Toronto Section communications chairman Ken Brown of Utility Service Associates, Toronto. Brown is a Fellow of the STLE (the first Canadian to be so honoured) and in 2004 was awarded the STLE’s highest honour, the P. M. Ku Meritorious Award, for service to the association.

“A key element in our strategy to reach that goal is creation and dissemination of reliable technical information. This has been STLE’s strength for 64 years, and it will continue to define our organization’s purpose and value in the future,” Brown said.

One way to achieve this was an upgrade to the STLE website. “An enhanced website presence will allow members to easily manage their interactions with STLE,” said Brown. The goal for the website is to give users a better online experience, reflecting the fact that STLE is the main resource for up-to-date information in its field. This endeavour is expected to strengthen STLE’s bond with current members and expand the organization’s presence to an international audience with an interest in STLE products and services.

Brown added that STLE’s commitment to reliable technical information also extends to print publishing, in the form of three new book titles, including:

• Machinery Oil Analysis, Third edition, by Larry A. Toms and Allison M. Toms. The technology and best practices of this rapidly growing field continue to evolve. This third edition provides a practical, insightful and credible source of information to those involved in oil analysis and machinery maintenance.

• Friction Science and Technology: From Concepts to Applications, Second Edition, by Dr. Peter J. Blau. This new book puts the subject of friction into a practical engineering focus and covers new developments in fast-growing aspects of the field, such as research on friction at the molecular scale.

• Lubrication and Maintenance of Industrial Machinery: Best Practices and Reliability. This is a practical field handbook that will provide perspective on an overall comprehensive maintenance program and specific maintenance lubrication information that can be used on a daily basis. It is scheduled for release by early 2009.

“As the world searches for solutions to environmental and energy challenges, many of which are tied to the fundamentals of tribology and lubricants, STLE stands ready to be the trusted source of information for an expanding audience of people looking for answers to these challenges,” said Brown.

The STLE Toronto Section presents meetings/educational seminars every month from September through to April (with the exception of December). Meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of the month at the Old Mill in Toronto. For meeting details, contact Mauricio Galvez at mauricio@brascorp.com.For more information on STLE’s Toronto Section or the association’s Hamilton (Ont.) Section, visit www.torontostle.com.