Flexitallic: Academy of Joint Integrity invests in specialist training systems

The Academy of Joint Integrity, part of the Flexitallic Group, has invested in new specialist training equipment to meet demand for joint integrity skills from international markets.

 The Academy has taken delivery of three Flexitallic Sustainable Training Units (FSTU), which will be deployed to Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

 Providing hand-on, practical training scenarios, the FSTU forms an integral part of the Academy’s joint integrity programmes for engineers involved in flange assembly, pipeline integrity and hazardous areas.

 The units enable engineers undergoing training to tighten a bolted joint and see the impact of tightening procedures, on-screen, through innovative load monitoring software.

 Through the application of bolt loads to flanges containing different gaskets, the unit allows engineers to view the interplay between the flange, fasteners and the gasket using various assembly and tightening procedures.  The unit is equipped with Ring Type Joint and ASME B16.5 raised face flanges.

 The two flange arrangements are fully interchangeable and give engineers direct experience of tightening a comprehensive range of gaskets including solid metal ring joints, spiral wounds, Kammprofiles and soft gaskets.

 This investment adds to the existing fleet of three FSTUs owned by the Academy, which are in operation in the UK and Europe.  The additional units will enable the Academy’s engineering and training professionals to deliver training to Middle East, South East Asia and Australasian markets.

 The Academy will support the growth of the Flexitallic Group, which is an international sealing product and services specialist and is expanding its presence in these markets.  It recently established a gasket manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia to complement its existing Middle East operation in the United Arab Emirates.

 Flexitallic has also appointed a new Regional Sales Manager in Singapore; engineer Paul Welsford, who will deliver Academy training programmes to customers as part of his role.

 Alex Lattimer, Training Director for the Academy of Joint Integrity, said: “The new FSTUs will help the Academy meet international demand for our specialist joint integrity training.  We have seen an increase in enquiries from the Middle East and South East Asia, which, like many parts of the world, hold UK training and accreditations in high esteem.

 “Investing in the FSTUs allows the Academy to deliver in-country training in new markets and support companies’ skills development requirements.  

 “The skills and accreditations provided we provide form an essential part of competence assurance for personnel working on mechanical joints and the FSTUs offer a practical and effective way to deliver our specialist training.”