The Official STLE Blog

Q4 Webinars Open for Registration

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 13:00:00 +0000

The final three months of this year, we'll be featuring the following webinar topics: base oils, turbine oil report interpretation and solving varnish problems, rust preventives for MWFs, thin section bearings, and EALs for vessel general permit applications . See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Base Oil Groups I-V: Manufacture, Properties & Performance
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: John Rosenbaum, Chevron Global Base Oils
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Turbine Oil Analysis Report Interpretation
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 15, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Matt McMahon, TestOil
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Fundamentals of Rust Preventives for Temporary Corrosion Protection
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 5, 2014; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Greg Moran and Ben Faber, The Lubrizol Corporation
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Considerations for Thin Section Bearings & Their Lubrication
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 11, 2014; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Les Miller, Kaydon Bearings
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Determining & Solving Varnish Problems
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 3, 2014; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Dave Wooton, Wooton - Consulting
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants for Vessel General Permit Applications
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 10, 2014; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Alexei Kurchan, CRODA
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

More information coming soon on the 2015 schedule!

[Click here] to see upcoming topics for 2015 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to download all upcoming and archived webinars sorted by topic
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

European Webinar Series - Launching This Month!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 13:00:00 +0000

In addition to our regular webinar program, we are launching a new series this month - the European Webinar Series. This series will feature events starting at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (Chicago, IL), instead of the usual 12:00 p.m. (to accommodate a European audience). In addition, the presenters will provide a European perspective designed with a European audience in mind, focusing on issues particularly relevant to you. The series is open to anyone, regardless of time zone, so feel free to get registered!

Scheduled events include:

9/3: Electrostatic Discharge in Hydraulic and Lubricating Systems, with instructor John Duchowski, HYDAC | Register
10/9: Base Oils for Lubricating Greases, with instructor Valentina Serra-Holm, Nynas AB | Register
11/25: Metalworking Fluids (topic TBA, focusing on borates and other EU regulations), with instructor Neil Canter, Chemical Solutions | Register
December (TBA): Performance Mapping of Engine Oils for Energy Efficiency, with instructor Ksenija Topolovec Miklozic, Powertrib | Register

If you're interested in presenting in our series or you'd like to suggest a topic or presenter, please contact Kara Sniegowski at ksniegowski@stle.org.

Q3 Webinars Open for Registration

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:00:00 +0000

The next three months we're featuring the following webinar topics: synthetic MWFs and MWF corrosion/test methods, synthetic fluids, grease/lubricant failure analysis, grease markets and selecting a lubricant for rolling element bearings. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Fluorocarbons
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 16, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Thomas Blunt, DuPont
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
You may also be interested in this archived webinar: Esters, presented by Gene Zehler, BASF | Purchase

Metalworking Corrosion Issues & Test Methods
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 30, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Jerry P. Byers, Cimcool Fluid Technology
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Grease & Oil Lubricant Failure Analysis
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Paul Shiller, University of Akron
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Grease: The Niche Market Opportunity
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Chuck Coe, Grease Technology Solutions, LLC
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Synthetic Metal Removal Fluids
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 17, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Alan Eckard
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Lubrication Selection for Rolling Element Bearings
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 23, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Jim Oliver, SKF Bearings
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Q3 Webinar Topics:

10/8: Base Oil Groups I-V: Manufacture, Properties & Performance with instructor John Rosenbaum, Chevron Global Base Oils
10/15: Turbine Oil Analysis Report Interpretation with instructor Matt McMahon, TestOil
11/5: Fundamentals of Rust Preventives for Temporary Corrosion Protection, with instructors Greg Moran and Ben Faber, The Lubrizol Corporation
11/11: Considerations for Thin Section Bearings & Their Lubrication, with instructor Les Miller, Kaydon Bearings
12/3: Determining & Solving Varnish Problems, with instructor Dave Wooton, Wooton - Consulting
12/10: Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants for Vessel General Permit Applications, with instructor Alexei Kurchan, CRODA

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2014 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to download all upcoming and archived webinars sorted by topic
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

Plan Your Trip to #STLE2014

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Based on some personal recommendations from a frequent Disney visitor, TLT's Editor, Evan Zabawski sheds some light on things to try while at Disney.

Places to Eat

California Grill at Contemporary Resort (15th floor of Tower building): offers some unique fine-dining choices, particularly for those who enjoy seafood or sushi.
Chef Mickey's at Contemporary Resort: buffet style dining, a chance to meet some characters during breakfast, for the young at heart or those with kids.
Grand Floridian Cafe at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: American cuisine with for those looking for a casual dining experience.
Citricos at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: a Mediterranean inspired fine-dining restaurant.
1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: buffet style dining, a chance to meet characters during breakfast, afternoon tea or supper.
Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney: a great place for treats, especially if you're sharing with others.

Things to Do (non-theme park)

Downtown Disney Area: lots of shopping all day, with many opportunities to experience live music in the evening.
Electrical Water Pageant: nighttime parade on the lagoon visible from both conference hotels, reminiscent of the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular: fireworks show like no other, best viewed from inside the Magic Kingdom, but visible from Contemporary Resort.

What are your plans? Do you have any suggestions for places to eat, or things to do while at the Annual Meeting? Share them in the comments below.

Final Notes

Don't forget to register for the conference by the Early Bird Deadline (April 18) to save some money, and if you have haven't registered yet, be sure to check out the Preliminary Program Guide, and get cracking!
To prepare for the conference, check out our list of tips for travel, our tips for first-time attendees as well as tips for networking on the road (May's Career Coach column), read some testimonials from past attendees, and review our post-conference to-do list to make sure you're covered from now until after the conference.

Q2 Webinars Open for Registration

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the second quarter, and here's hoping your year has been productive so far. We know we've certainly been busy with webinars! The next three months we're featuring: how to flush a turbine oil system, sins of hydraulic system design and hydraulic fluid failure, grease additives and cleanliness, and lubrication of wire ropes/chains. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Successfully Flushing a Turbine Oil System
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
Greg also presented a previous webinar, Understanding Turbine Oil Failure - click here for more information, or here to purchase.

Cardinal Sins of Hydraulic System Design
Date/Time: Friday, May 2, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Rod Erickson, Eaton Corporation
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Performance Additives for Lubricating Greases
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Gareth Fish, The Lubrizol Corporation
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Wire Ropes & Chains: Wear Mechanisms & Means of Lubrication and Maintenance
Date/Time: Thursday, May 8, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Paul Conley, SKF
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Grease Particle Evaluation: Meaningful Measurement of Matter?
Date/Time: Thursday, June 5, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Joseph Kaperick, Afton Chemical Corporation
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Why Hydraulic Fluids Fail
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Q3 Webinar Topics:

7/16: Fluorocarbons with instructor Thomas Blunt, DuPont
7/30: Metalworking Corrosion Issues & Test Methods with instructor Jerry Byers, Cimcool
8/6: Grease & Oil Lubricant Failure Analysis, with instructor Paul Shiller, University of Akron
8/20: Grease: The Niche Market Opportunity, with instructor Chuck Coe, Grease Technology Solutions LLC
9/17: Synthetic Metal Removal Fluids, with instructor Alan Eckard
9/23: Lubrication Selection for Rolling Element Bearings, with instructor Jim Oliver, SKF Bearings

Congratulations, STLE!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Professor Luo with Past President Jerry Byers

Professor Jianbin Luo, recipient of the STLE International Award, has sent a letter of congratulations to STLE for our 70th anniversary.

You can read/view the letter here.

Would you like to write a letter of congratulations to STLE? Or, would you simply like to share a memory or story about your STLE membership? You can email it to anniversary@stle.org.

Wow, 70 years!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:00:00 +0000

It doesn’t seem that long ago that the STLE celebrated 50 years with fireworks in Pittsburgh (1994) and held the 50th Annual Meeting in Chicago the following year (Editor’s Note: we’ll be in Chicago again in 2020 for our 75th anniversary). I joined the STLE 24 years ago and have enjoyed every minute. My only regret is that I didn’t join earlier in my career. I attended my first Annual Meeting in Denver in 1990 and took advantage of several excellent education courses along with the technical sessions. I was pleasantly surprised to find the same sense of family and camaraderie between the attendees at the Annual Meeting as I was quickly finding within the local Alberta Section.

Due to the great people involved with the Alberta Section at that time, and my normal commitment to help whenever I can, it didn’t take very long for me to jump in head first. Within no time I was helping out the Alberta Section as a Program Director and have continued on the Section executive ever since. In addition, I quickly found myself helping out internationally on one of the Industry Councils and more recently, on the Education Committee.

This year will be 20 years since I successfully challenged the CLS exam and about 9 years ago for the OMA. The CLS, OMA as well as the other STLE certification programs have been a great addition to the Society and have also helped members develop and measure their lubrication knowledge.

For the last 6 years I have had the sincere pleasure to serve the Society on the Board of Directors. I really didn’t think it was possible that my association with the society, and its members, could get any better than it already was but being able to work on the Board has truly been an honor. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the STLE Staff. Their time and dedication is second to none.

Being an active member of the STLE has truly been a pleasure. The number of benefits that I personally have received from the STLE are too numerous to count. The depth of knowledge that I have absorbed from the Society and from my participating colleagues has made a significant contribution on my career path and status today. It would be an understatement to suggest that I wouldn't be in my present job if it wasn't for the influence of the STLE on my lubrication knowledge and personal development.

Happy 70th Birthday STLE. I’m so glad I got to witness the last 24 years, and I wish I could ride along for the next 70 to come.

-Paul Hetherington, Petro-Canada Lubricants, Inc., STLE Board Member

Special Message from our President, Rob Heverly

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:00:00 +0000

In honor of our 70th anniversary, take a moment to view a special message from our President, Rob Heverly:

Do you have any memories, stories or photos that you'd like to share with the community, focusing on your experiences with STLE? If so, please send them to anniversary@stle.org. We look forward to hearing your views and history with the organization!

STLE: Happy 70th!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:00:00 +0000

STLE has clearly reached another milestone in its growth and development as a relevant society serving the Tribological world and the Lubricants industry. Happy Birthday STLE!

STLE’s path to 70, like that of most people, is a growth process marked by many shifts and changes which have molded and tempered the organization into what it is today. Most of my career has been in some form of research and development with various divisions in two different companies. If we didn't create change: new services, products and processes, we didn't survive. Indeed, it is some these changes in STLE that I would like to note here.

When I joined STLE in 1981, we were strongly driven by the technical program at the annual meeting. Most papers were also critiqued by a notable expert in the area in a five or ten minute presentation following the paper as well as the typical question and answer session. Let me tell you the ‘fur got to flying” in some of those sessions! At the time, the Aerospace Industry Council, Solid Film Lubricants, Non-ferrous, and Seals technical committees were very strong. They, on their own, hosted astronauts to speak, published their own technical books and manuals, and even held independent mini-conferences in their subject areas. The only other activity at the annual meeting was the hospitality suites sponsored by various member companies. This was their only real chance to interact with current or potential customers other than in the hallways and at an off-site restaurant.

Then, beginning in the late 1980s through the leadership of BOD member, Ed Kane, we began a golf outing, and later a trade show area, and the commercial marketing forum. These changes caused a real fur-fight among many of our members. Some claiming that all these commercial activities would dilute the technical program, that STLE would lose its technical reputation, change the whole temperament of the annual meeting and the society in general, etc., etc. While others said, “We (Industry) are paying for everything anyway; we ought to get something out the meeting.” Further, they said these changes would broaden the scope and content of society, add new members and companies, increase revenues, etc., etc.

And, indeed that is just what happened. The society is more than double in size and now there is something for everyone and yet STLE’s technical reputation is still intact.

Another big change, initially spearheaded by past-president John Hermann, who is now with ExxonMobil, was the increased emphasis on developing an international presence. This prompted, in 1987, the change in the name of the society from the American Society of Lubrication Engineers (ASLE) to the current name to reflect our more international outlook. Needless to say, there was again a lot of fur-flying over that change. As late as 1998, when I joined STLE’s staff and would visit various sections, there were people who would still tell me that it was the stupidest thing we ever did. We really didn't quite know how to develop international relationships and are still learning, but we have come a very long way from those early US/Canada centric days: we currently have ongoing relationships with many groups: in North America – ASME, SME, ABMA, and ILMA; we are members of the International Tribology Council (ITC) and STLE hosted 2005 World Tribology Congress; and we have active joint programs in: Asia (JSTLE, KSTLE, CTI and TSI), Africa (SAIT and Ghana), Europe (OilDoc, LubMat and UEIL), South America (Bolivia), and Caribbean (Trinidad). Somehow, we seem, yet, to have survived again.

Probably the biggest sea-change, that caused loud shouting in Board meetings and elsewhere, was the introduction of the Certified Lubrication Specialist program (CLS) in 1993. There were those who said that we would make ourselves open to law suits, we would no longer be viewed as a technical society, we don’t know how to do it, and we don’t have the resources to administer it. And, indeed, we learned some harsh lessons along the way, but we steadily learned and grew the program and added new certifications as well. Our credibility in the marketplace is excellent, about 1/3 of our members hold some kind of certification and those certified according Lube ‘N’ Greases magazine earn more money and have more people reporting to them than their uncertified peers. So, I guess, once again, we seemed to have survived.

Now we have broadened the way people can access the Society utilizing technology solutions. Again we are still learning, but now have live and archived webinars; podcasts; digital publishing of three organs: TLT, Letters and Transactions; Tribology Netbase, an online electronic library; and online membership directory; and social media tools: Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, this STLE Blog.

So, once again to me, change is normal, or it had better be, without change you won’t survive. The proof of that is STLE turning 70 this year, certainly different from when I joined, but stronger and better than ever.

Happy Birthday!

-Robert Gresham, Director of Professional Development, STLE

Five Things to Like About STLE

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:00:00 +0000

STLE makes some history this month by celebrating our 70th anniversary as an organization. We were founded in Chicago, Illinois, on March 3, 1944 and have been located in the Chicago-area for all of our seven decades of continuous operation.

My personal history with STLE dates to September 1996 when I joined the staff as the designated successor to long-time Executive Director Maxine Hensley. She retired in May of 1997 after 25 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the organization.

One of my first objectives at that time was to oversee implementation of a strategic plan that was designated as STLE 2000. The goal was to modernize and improve the society in terms of internal operations, governance and scope of services. That initial plan, and several successor plans developed and implemented in the 21st century, have made STLE a much different organization than it was when I arrived on the scene more than 17 years ago.

After reflecting on the projects, people and places that I have enjoyed working with since 1996, I will take a shot at pointing to five things STLE has accomplished and that are still evolving as sources of value for our membership and for the lubricants and tribology business worldwide.

STLE certification programs are recognized as the mark of a professional in the lubricants business. More than 1,000 individuals hold a current designation for Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS), Oil Monitoring Analyst (OMA) or Certified Metalworking Fluid Specialist (CMWFS). Recognition is growing worldwide for each of the programs as tests are translated to other languages and the body of knowledge for each area is more clearly defined and made more easily accessible.
Digital services delivery has enabled STLE to expand the reach of its educational mission throughout the world. We were an early adopter of online education technology and web-based information. Most recently, a monthly webinar education program has enabled thousands of individuals to bolster their knowledge by listening to presentations on virtually every aspect of lubricants and tribology – at an affordable price and without ever leaving their workspace.
TLT magazine, celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2014, continues to write a success story for its content and appearance and as an advertising outlet. Members consistently rank it as the number one benefit of membership. Tribology Transactions, the STLE technical journal, continues to run strong and has made the transition to the digital publishing world thanks to the help and support of our publishing partners at Taylor & Francis.
International membership is nothing new for STLE. But, in recent years, we are becoming an organization with a global perspective on serving members and understanding the challenges facing our technical and business segment. Case in point – we currently have 5 international board members (more than 20% of the board). In addition, member advisory councils have been formed in Europe, China and Latin America.
STLE, like many other technical societies, has had to refresh the organization by attracting younger members to the profession and to leadership at all levels. We’ve put some money behind this goal by providing scholarships and research funding to students with a genuine interest in the field. More recently, we’ve added student poster sessions at conferences and created networking and career mentoring opportunities. The impact is noticeable when you look at photos of an STLE conference or local section meeting – lots of young faces learning the business through our organization.

Let me make a final point about STLE and its exceptional team of volunteer leaders, members and staff. This is an organization that spends more time looking to the future than to admiring past accomplishments. As we head into the 2014 Annual Meeting, we are in the first year of another bold strategic plan. One of the goals is to generate an annual report that benchmarks and tracks emerging trends in the tribology and lubricants field. The first iteration of this report, due out in May, points to a field with the potential to solve the challenges and develop the products demanded changes in end user preferences, product design or environmental standards.

How all these trends and predictions will play out is clearly a bit of a guessing game. But what’s much more certain, to my mind, is the fact that STLE will continue to be an exceptional resource that educates and supports men and women worldwide who’ll be making these things happen in the future.

So Happy Birthday STLE! Your proud past has built the foundation for what will be an amazing future.

-Edward P. Salek, Executive Director, STLE

STLE is Turning 70!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:30:00 +0000

STLE was founded March 3, 1944, making this year our 70th anniversary. Join us in celebrating next week (and all month) – we’ll have lots of great activities, drawings, events and more for members including a chance to participate in our celebration!

Ways you can participate:

Contribute to the STLE history sampling by sending a photo, story or memory
Submit a tribology or lubrication best practice or tip for our special feature in TLT
Register for our FREE webinar on 3/6, "Tribology, Force and Motion from Ancient Egypt to Present Time," given by Rafael Tadmor, Lamar University | Register Now! Note: Limited to first 100 registrants (all others can sign up to view the recording).
Win STLE swag at your local section
Follow @STLE_Tribology on Twitter for unique and fun facts about STLE, including an infographic about the organization (coming soon!)
Watch a quick video message from our President, Robert Heverly

Submissions can be sent to anniversary@stle.org – you may see your story in TLT, on our website, or in another outlet related to our anniversary.

And a big THANK YOU to all of our members and supporters - we wouldn't be the same organization without you!

Q1 Webinars Open for Registration

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

To kick off the new year, we'll be featuring a variety of topics in the next 3 months including: filters and filtration, amines, hydraulics, turbine oil failure, additive selection for MWFs, and engine oil engine test development. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Advanced Filters & Filtration
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: John Duchowski, HYDAC
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
John also presented a previous webinar, Fundamentals of Filters & Filtration - click here for more information, or here to purchase.

Amines 101
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 29, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Pat Brutto, Dow
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Basic Hydraulics
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 12, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Robert Gresham, STLE
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
Other webinars presented by Bob include: Bearing Fundamentals (purchase), Basic Synthetics (purchase), and Fundamentals of Grease (purchase).

Understanding the Multiple Ways Turbine Oils Fail
Date/Time: Thursday, February 20, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
Other webinars to be presented by Greg include: Flushing a Lubrication System (4/16), and Hydraulic Fluid Degradation (final topic TBA; held 6/11).

Guidelines for Selecting Additives to Use in Metalworking Fluids
Date/Time: Thursday, March 20, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Neil Canter, Chemical Solutions
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
Neil previously presented Challenges in Using Environmentally Friendly Fluids. Click here for more information, or here to purchase.

So You Want to Develop Engine Oil Engine Tests
Date/Time: Thursday, March 20, 2014; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Don Smolenski, Evonik
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
Don previously presented Component Performance in Formulating Engine Oils. Click here for more information or here to purchase.

Q2 Webinar Topics:

4/16: Successfully lushing a Turbine Oil System, with instructor Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International
4/18: Cardinal Sins of Hydraulic System Design, with instructor Rod Erickson, EATON
5/7: Performance Additives for Lubricating Greases, with instructor Gareth Fish, Lubrizol
5/8: Wire Ropes & Chains: Wear Mechanisms & Means of Lubrication and Maintenance, with instructor Paul Conley, SKF
6/5: Grease Particle Evaluation: Meaningful Measurement of Matter?, with instructor Joe Kaperick, Afton
6/11: Why Hydraulic Fluids Fail, with instructor Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International

Turbine Oil Degradation with Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 22:11:00 +0000

Join us for this week's interview, where we talk with Greg Livingstone, Chief Marketing Officer of Fluitec International about dealing with turbine oil degradation. He covers the types of oils used in turbines and their properties, different modes of degradation and where/when they can occur, as well as solutions to common issues like varnish.

Click below to play the interview, or click here to download and listen to the file, or click here to read the transcript.

You may also be interested in our interview with Greg on Turbine Oil Selection.

Happy listening!

The Nature of Genius & Tesla

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I just finished reading Nikola Tesla: Imagination and the Man That Invented the 20th Century, by Sean Patrick (got it free for my Kindle). As of today's post, it's still available for free at Amazon. It was an interesting read, especially so given its tie to next month's Sounding Board column in TLT.

Our readers have just finished responding to a survey that asked about the nature of genius (your definition), which genius (living or dead) you'd most like to meet and what you'd ask that person, whether you've met a genius, and if you could magically become a genius, would you like to or not? Respondents to the survey would like to meet Tesla, as well as many other folks like Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs and Walt Disney. If you missed your chance to contribute, I encourage you to submit your responses below in the comments area. Or, give the article a read, either by reading TLT online (look to the September 2013 issue), or by going directly to the article (PDF).

The book was very brief (about 120 pages) and less about Tesla (than expected) and more about the nature of genius and creativity. The book makes 4 arguments:

That you have to be "'smart enough' to fulfill the intellectual requirements for success" but after that, IQ ceases to make a distinguishable difference. Akin to being "tall enough" for the NBA. However, IQ alone doesn't explain success.
Another common factor that researchers recognize in all great performers: "they practiced so hard and intensely that it hurt," with the author referring to the "10,000 hour rule." Dr. K Anders Ericsson coined the phrase, and regardless if you have an innate talent, he argues that you need that amount of hours of "focused, intentional practice."
Not only that, you need to have dedication - because 10,000 hours is a lot of work.
Finally, there's the issue of opportunities. If you haven't read it, Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell is also a good, solid read, and if you like hockey (among other things), provides some insight into the sport and its stars. Basically, being closer to the cut-off age to play hockey meant you got an entire year to get better and outshine other, younger (and smaller) players. Hence, you were given more opportunities, creating an "accumulative advantage" compared to other kids with later birthdays.

Utilizing these concepts, the author presents the idea of the "genius code," penned by psychologist Dr. Alfred Barrios. This particular book addresses one component of the code: imagination. And below are some quotes I found particularly interesting along this vein:

"When you start viewing creativity as a process of combination, and imagination as the ability to connect, stretch, and merge things in new ways, creative brilliance becomes less mystifying. A creative genius is just better at connecting the dots than others are."
"There's a catch to 'combinatorial creativity,' though. Before you can connect the dots, you need to have dots to connect...The more varied your knowledge and experiences are, the more likely you are to be able to create new associations and fresh ideas."
"It takes curiosity to find your call to adventure, it takes courage to venture into the unknown, and it takes imagination to create your path." And, like Tesla, you must create something "exactly as you envision it, no matter how much work it takes, or how many people try to stop you."

If you didn't get a chance to respond to the survey, which genius would you include on the list and what would you ask them? And, if you've read the book, what are your thoughts? Include them in the comments below!

Two new eNewsletters released this month: Power Generation and Synthetics & Hydraulics!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

In case you've missed them, we have now launched 5 eNewsletters that focus on a specific topic relevant to lubrication engineers and tribologists. Among those, we have Metalworking & Metalworking Fluids, Grease, Environmentally Friendly Fluids (EFF), and two brand-new ones out this month: Power Generation and Synthetics & Hydraulics.

You can read more about the program launch here - STLE's Executive Director provides his perspective in September's Headquarters Report column.

If you didn't receive any of the newsletters and you're interested in subscribing, you can do so by logging in to your account at www.stle.org, and updating your demographic information. There is a list of interest areas, and you can select one or many, depending on your interests. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one and then update your demographic information.

We're still looking for contributors to be able to launch our other 4: Lubrication Fundamentals, Engine & Drivetrain, Condition Monitoring, and Bearings, Gears & Seals. If you're interested in contributing, we're looking for short articles (about 1 page, or 400-800 words), on a specific topic that provides best practices, case studies, or other practical information that readers can immediately use. Submitted articles should be educational in nature, not commercial (i.e. not promoting your company or product) and they should not be technical papers. Technical papers have many other outlets including our two scholarly journals: Tribology Transactions and Tribology Letters). If you are interested, you can send an email to Kara Sniegowski at ksniegowski@stle.org or by calling our office at (847) 825-5536.

I look forward to your contributions! And feel free to submit topic ideas below, in the comments.

Turbine Oil Selection with Greg Livingstone, Fluitec International

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Greg Livingstone

Join us for this week's interview, where we talk with Greg Livingstone, Chief Marketing Officer of Fluitec International about selecting a proper turbine oil for your application.

Greg covers types of oils used in turbines and their properties, when it's time to select a new oil, potential changes you should implement in your condition monitoring program with new oils, and selection criteria - including Greg's advice to look beyond the spec sheet, and some tests you should run when selecting an oil (which includes a new test Greg helped develop which provides more reliable data on how the oil will perform in the field).

To listen to the interview, click here for the audio, or click here to read the transcript.

You might also be interested in our previous interview with Greg on Oil Analysis & Predictive Maintenance (click here for the recording), or his upcoming interview that will be released in the November issue of the Power Generation eNewsletter on Turbine Oil Degradation.

September Webinars: MWF CM, Emulsifers, & RCL

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This month we'll be featuring three events, all part of a series. We'll continue our reliability-centered lubrication series (three part series) and finish out the MWF microbiology series (three part series), as well as our emulsifier series (two part series). See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Contamination Control of MWFs
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 18, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Frederick Passman, Biodeterioration Control Associates, Inc. (BCA)
Overview: This webinar will cover the four primary building blocks of cost-effective microbial contamination control: system design & engineering, industrial hygiene, condition monitoring (CM), and treatment. Participants in this webinar will gain a broad appreciation of the factors that contribute to effective microbial contamination control in MWF and MWF systems.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
For more information on the other two events in the series, click their links: Basic MWF Microbiology, and Monitoring MWF Microbial Contamination

Emulsifiers 201
Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructors: Jennifer Ineman & Tom Oleksiak, The Lubrizol Corporation
Overview: The second part of this series will include analytical techniques that can be used to determine differences in performance characteristics of emulsifier chemistry. If you're interested, click here for more information on Emulsifiers 101.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)

Reliability-Centered Lubrication, Part II
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Mike Johnson, Advanced Machine Reliability Resources Inc.(AMRRI)
Overview: Following the development of a strong business case to re-order lubrication practices, the next step involves determining which machines will receive a detailed assessment and development of RCL practices. Creating a lubrication program starts with a clear understanding of the importance of each machine to daily productivity. A general criticality assessment will provide the site with a clear idea of which machines warrant RCL attention. This seminar will offer a look at a simple but effective plan to rank your machines from most to least important. We’ll also review the information collection process and the creation of detailed plans that are the best fit for the operating conditions.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click the registration link)
For more information on the other two events in the series, click their links: RCL, Part I and RCL, Part III

Upcoming topics:

10/23: Automatic Transmission Fluids, with instructor Chintan Ved, Ford Motor Company
11/7: Grease Selection for Rolling Element Bearings, with instructor Paul Shiller, University of Akron
11/14: Space Tribology Challenges On-Board the ISS, with instructor Chris DellaCorte, NASA
12/4: Esters (Synthetics Series), with instructor Gene Zehler, BASF
12/5: Solvents & Cleaners in Industrial Applications, with instructor Russ Chambers, Quadra Chemical

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2013 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

Thoughtful Thursday: What's your favorite quote?

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 15:25:00 +0000

Every Thursday this summer, we'll have a tweet that asks you to respond with your thoughts and comments. This week the question revolved around your favorite quote and who said it (and if you want to tell us why, that's great too!). We got a few responses, but feel free to keep adding in the comments below!

@richbcs: "All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde
@karlphipps: "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
@karalemar: "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." -W.B. Yeats

You can read more favorite quotes from members here. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter (@STLE_Tribology) or like us on Facebook.

August Webinars: Reliability-Centered Lubrication, Microbiology, and Emulsifiers

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This month we'll be featuring three events, all part of a series. We'll kick off our reliability-centered lubrication series (three part series), continue our MWF microbiology series (also three events), and see the last of two events in the emulsifier series. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part I of III)
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Mike Johnson, CLS
Overview: In this first event (of a three-event series on RCL) we will take a look at the strategy and overview the tactics involved in achieving RCL practices. We will also look at a critical aspect of this concept, which is making a business justification for the investment of time and energy to fundamentally change the way that lubrication activities are conducted.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click here)

Monitoring MWF Microbial Contamination
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 21, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Dr. Frederick Passman, BCA, Inc.
Overview: Condition monitoring (CM) for microbial contamination shares common features with other routinely performed MWF CM. However, there are several concepts that are unique to microbiological sample collection, handling, testing and data interpretation. Optimal MWF management depends on understanding these unique concepts. During this webinar, Dr. Passman will provide a very brief overview of the microbiology basics as a refresher for those who have participated in the earlier webinar and a means of bringing newcomers up to speed. He’ll then discuss some of the most critical elements of microbiological sample collection. The underlying concept behind this information is that the microbiology of the bulk MWF is very different from that of surface and aerosol samples. Low numbers of microbes in bulk fluid samples can give a false sense of effective contamination control. Moreover, samples intended for microbiological testing are quite perishable and need to be handled accordingly. Dr. Passman will describe best practices for handling microbiological samples from time of sampling to the initiation of testing. The greatest portion of the webinar will focus on a discussion of the methods that are most useful for microbiological CM. There is no single microbiological test that provides all of the relevant information about MWF microbial contamination. Dr. Passman will describe the methods, the type and value of information each method can and can’t provide and best use of data for system management.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click here)

Upcoming topics:

9/18: Contamination Control of MWFs, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.
9/19: Emulsifiers 201, with instructors Jennifer Ineman and Tom Oleksiak, The Lubrizol Corporation
9/25: Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part II of III), with instructor Mike Johnson
10/16: Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part III of III), with instructor Mike Johnson
10/23: Automatic Transmission Fluids, with instructor Chintan Ved, Ford Motor Company

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2013 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

5 Minutes with...Hamed Ghaednia

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:15:00 +0000

5 Minutes with...

Hamed Ghaednia, PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University

Hamed with his poster at the 2013 STLE Annual Meeting

What got you interested in tribology, and where has that interest led you? Looking back, I can recognize a couple of events over the course of my studies that prepared me and got me interested in the field of tribology. While I was working on my undergrad I was offered to enter a double major program as part of an honors program. I was given the choice to select a second major and I chose to study chemical engineering because of my fascination with chemical processes. I did not know it at the time, but the mechanical/chemical engineering combination gave me a boost through my career in the field of tribology. My first exposure to tribology research was when I started working on my master’s degree. I was looking for research topics that included both of my majors so I started working on the semi-active control of a rotor mounted on magneto-rheological journal bearings. My research involved: numerical simulations of a rotors’ vibrations, MR fluid journal bearing modeling and design of a fuzzy control system. My Master’s thesis was partly related to tribology. However, I had the opportunity to engage in a variety of research topics related to tribology when I began my PhD research at Auburn University. That was when I began to really appreciate the complexity and interdisciplinary approach to tribology in solving unique and cutting edge problems, which got me interested in tribology. I have been active in the field of tribology ever since as a Research Assistant in the Multiscale Tribology Laboratory at the Auburn University and I have been involved in a range of topics such as nanotribology, lubrication and contact mechanics.

Can you give us some detail on your research? Currently, I am focused on the effect of nanoparticle additives on lubricants as my PhD project. Nano-sizes particles are small enough to infiltrate the small gaps between surfaces in contact and alter the tribological characteristics. However the particles’ exact enhancing mechanisms remain unknown (with a few exceptions). This project has different angles and challenges to be explored, such as stability of nanoparticle suspensions. Usually the base oils are non-polar so there is no strong intermolecular force available to suspend the particles. Nanoparticles change the bulk properties of the lubricants, such as viscosity and thermal conductivity, which need to be quantified. The main goal of the project is to understand the effect of particles on friction and wear and to study the interaction of particles with surfaces under high pressure. This project involves a variety of different experimental techniques ranging from purely chemical tests to friction and surface analysis tests. In addition, I am working on developing a contact model for nanoparticles between rough surfaces. Therefore it is a very good opportunity for me to get involved in various tribological topics and try to increase my knowledge of tribology. I am two and half years into this project and have tackled multiple fronts of the project. Results so far are very interesting and I have couple of papers in publication and in preparation on the subject.

During my Master’s program I was working on magnetorheological (MR) journal bearings. MR bearings consist of a conventional bearings filled with the MR fluid. MR fluid is a suspension of micron size ferromagnetic particles in a base oil. MR fluids’ viscosity and rheology changes under an applied external magnetic field that could be utilized to control the response of the bearing in a feedback control system. The first goal of the study was to develop a heat transfer model for the bearings and explore the effect of temperature rise on the performance of the rotor-bearing system. The second goal was to design and implement a semi-active fuzzy control system to minimize the vibrations of the system.

What recommendations would you give to other students and researchers in the field? Grad school is usually stressful, lengthy and typically revolves around your research. Therefore take plenty of time to explore your possibilities and choose the research topic that you like and enjoy learning about. This can significantly improve your grad school experience.

As known, tribology mainly explores the contacts between different materials. These can be in different phases and are governed by different physical or chemical principles. Tribology links different physical and chemical concepts together in search of an answer. Tribology does not stop at the edge of the materials; it bridges the gaps. Hence, if you are want to be involved in this field, my advice is to be willing to bridge the gaps and learn every day.

Any final thoughts you’d like to give readers? Don’t forget that many breakthroughs in the history of mankind came from early tribologists. Examples of these are cavemen making fire out of friction and the invention of the first rolling element bearing, the wheel. Thus, it is probable that a tribologist will invent the next revolutionary device or discover the key to the next chapter of engineering!

For more info, click here to read The 10 Greatest Events in Tribology History (article and poster)

Hamed’s Favorites
Tribology book/reference: Even though I use several tribology-related books on a regular basis, I can name three books as my favorites:

Contact Mechanics by K.L. Johnson
Intermolecular & Surface Forces by J. Israelachvili
Fundamentals of Fluid Film Lubrication by Hamrock, Schmid and Jacobson | Read the review

Favorite professor(s)/mentor(s): Dr. Jackson and Dr. Ohadi, my PhD and Master’s advisors, are my favorite professors and mentors.
Favorite online resource related to your research: http://www.tribology-abc.com/
Favorite quote: “Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.” – Andre Gide, French critic, essayist, & novelist (1869 - 1951)

Biography
Hamed Ghaednia received his BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Chemical Engineering from the Tehran Polytechnic (also known as Amirkabir University of Technology), Iran, in 2007 and 2010, respectively. During his undergraduate he was a member of the Parsian Robotic Group and participated in several international robotic competitions and won awards. He received his MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic in 2010 while working as a Graduate Assistant for the Vibration and Noise Control Laboratory. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, in the field of Tribology, at Auburn University. He is currently a Research Assistant at the Multiscale Tribology Laboratory. He has published papers in the fields of: nano particle lubricants, magneto-rheological fluid (MR fluid) bearings and contact mechanics. His current research involvements are nanoparticle lubricants, nanotribology and contact mechanics.

Mr. Ghaednia is a member of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

July Webinars: Air, Gas Compressors & MWF Microbiology

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This month we'll be featuring three events - two covering compressors, and one on metalworking fluids. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Air Compressors & Their Lubrication
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 10, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Glenn Short, BVA
Overview: This webinar will provide you with basic compressor fundamentals, the different types of lubricants that can be used, some of the important properties compressor lubricants should possess and their proper selection. The focus will be primarily on positive displacement compressors, formulating with synthetic lubricants, and strategies for efficiency improvement and extending lubricant service life.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click here)

Gas & Process Compressor Lubricants
Date/Time: Thursday, July 11, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Glenn Short, BVA
Overview: In this webinar, you will learn about the different types of lubricants that are used in gas and process compressors, some of the important properties compressor lubricants should possess and their proper selection. The focus will be primarily on positive displacement compressors and other compressors where the lubricant may come into contact with the gas being compressed, formulating with special types of mineral oils and synthetic lubricants to improve compatibility with the gas being compressed, and strategies for efficiency improvement and compressor reliability.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (please log in at www.stle.org, then click here)

MWF Microbiology Basics
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 17, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Dr. Frederick Passman, BCA, Inc.
Overview: This webinar is a primer on MWF microbiology, including what microbes are, the types of damage they can cause if left to grow uncontrolled in MWF and the health risks associated with bioaerosol exposure. The first part of the webinar will discuss the types of microbes that are commonly found in MWF, why they thrive in the MWF environment and where they are most likely to be found in MWF systems. The next part of the program will describe fluid, system and finished part damage related microbial life in MWF systems. The final segment will explain how bioaerosols are generated and the common types of diseases caused by exposure to these aerosols.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (please log in at www.stle.org, then click here)

Upcoming topics:

8/14: Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part 1 of a 3-part series), with instructor Mike Johnson
8/21: Monitoring MWF Microbial Contamination, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.
9/18: Contamination Control of MWFs, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.
9/19: Emulsifiers 201, with instructors Jennifer Ineman and Tom Oleksiak, The Lubrizol Corporation
9/25: Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part 2 of a 3-part series), with instructor Mike Johnson

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2013 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

June Webinars include Emulsifiers 101, Waste Treatment of MWFs, & The Steel Industry

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

This month we'll be featuring two events on metalworking fluid topics: Emulsifiers 101 and Waste Treatment of Metalworking Fluids, as well as an event covering the steel industry. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Emulsifiers 101
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 5, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Joe Schultz and Jennifer Ineman, The Lubrizol Corporation
Overview: The first part of this series will include the basics of what an emulsion is, what chemistries and which fluid types are typically used in metalworking applications, what the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance is and why it is important to emulsifier selection.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
Note: This is the first event in a two-part series. [Click here] for information on Emulsifiers 201.
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (must log in to obtain correct pricing)

Waste Treatment of Metalworking Fluids
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: John M. Burke, Houghton International
Overview: This webinar will briefly discuss waste water disposal requirements for users of metalworking fluids in the United States. We will then discuss several methods of waste water treatment such as: evaporation, chemical treatment, membrane separation, biological treatment, vapor compression distillation, and finally waste oil recovery.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (must log in to obtain correct pricing)

The Steel Industry
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 26, 2013; 12-1 pm CDT (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Rick Schrama
Overview: This webinar on the steel industry will provide an overview of what the industry entails, the three main producing groups (integrated plants, mini-mills and finishing operations), the types of lubricants employed in the various operations and their typical properties and challenges/problems, as well as lubricant guidelines and lubrication systems. The last major topic to be reviewed is the actual steel making and processing operations. This includes the primary end of the integrated plant with its raw material handling, sinter plants, coke ovens, blast furnaces and direct reduction plants. The steel making side of the process with its electric arc and basic oxygen furnace technologies and then the continuous casting and hot rolling facilities will be reviewed. That is followed by the cold finishing and coating processes with its pickling, cold rolling, tempering and either galvanized or electrolytic tinning processes. The last part of any facility is the utilities and transportation groups, which includes the turbines, compressed gas compressors, motors, overhead cranes, rolling stock and trucks. The types of machinery and the bearings and drive components used in the processes will be outlined and related to their lubrication requirements.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (must log in to obtain correct pricing)

Upcoming topics:

7/10: Air Compressors, with instructor Glenn Short, BVA
7/11: Gas and Process Compressor Lubricants, with instructor Glenn Short, BVA
7/17: MWF Microbiology Basics, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.
8/14: Reliability-Centered Lubrication (Part 1 of a 3-part series), with instructor Mike Johnson
8/21: Monitoring MWF Microbial Contamination, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2013 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

Things to Do in The "D" (Detroit)

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:28:00 +0000

Getting some perspectives from STLE staff and members, here are some suggested attractions and restaurants, if you're planning your trip to join us next week. And don't forget that Detroit has an easy way to get around the city - the PeopleMover. The weather should be in the mid-high 60s all week, so be sure to pack for that, and remember to wear layers while you're attending the conference - conference centers and big hotels have a tendency to run cold.

Don Smolenski: Don loves the water, and as such, recommends you check out the Detroit Riverfront, along Lake St. Clair. He also recommends the following restaurants: Sinbad's Restaurant, Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen, Mike's on the Water, Rojo Mexican Bistro, Brownie's on the Lake and The Rattlesnake Club. The river walk is also quite nice for running or biking. There are a few shops, and this area has the largest concentration of boats in fresh water. It's a great place to take a break - get away, go for a walk and while you're there, take in the water, the boats, and the beautiful mansions along the lake shore. "Lake Clair is one of the reasons I love living in Detroit. It's not as intimidating as Lake Erie or Michigan, but you can still see water for miles."

Charlie Paxton: The Henry Ford Museum is a little far from the meeting location, but it's always good. And, if you make the trip, you can also visit the largest IMAX theater in the state of Michigan. Charlie, as part of the Detroit Section, helped set up a tour of the GM Plant that produced the Volt (the tour filled up within a short couple of days!). Thanks to the Detroit Section, those attending get free transportation.

Rachel Colbert: says that there are some great lakes and parks in Detroit (Ash Park is closest to the hotel), and she also recommends Greektown and the Ford Museum.

Tracy VanEe: This Detroit-native STLE staff member recommends The Fox Theater (historic and very ornate), which is next to Hockeytown - lots of Red Wings nostalgia to be found here.

Attractions: Motown Museum, Heidelberg Project, The Detroit Institute of Art, Detroit Zoo, Comerica Park for a Tigers game, and Cobo Hall or the Joe Louis Arena (if you check the concert schedule, you might catch one of Detroit's locals - Bob Seger, Kid Rock or Eminem).

Restaurant favorites: Elwood Bar & Grill and the Detroit Beer Co.are around Comerica Park. For upscale dining, try the Rattlesnake Club. For less-than-upscale, try The Coney Island Challenge - Lafayette and American Coney Islands -they're located next to each other and make a show over luring customers into one diner over the other. Old Shillelagh's is a fun Irish pub - they have live music and it's always fun and festive. In addition to Greektown, there is Mexican Town, with a string of Mexican restaurants. My favorite is Xochimilco's (pronounced Soshimoko's), which has great fare.

If you're bringing family, or are just interested in a charming town, try Birmingham (about 5 miles away from Detroit) - it has lots of nice shops and dining.

If you want to go outside of Detroit, visit Dearborn for the Henry Ford Museum, Automotive Hall of Fame, and the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant to see where they make the F150. In addition, try Greenfield Village (historical town, mini-Williamsburg).

Or, try the two Big 10 University towns - East Lansing and Ann Arbor. They're within an hour's drive of Detroit and are great places to visit.
Don't forget to take a look at the Visit Detroit website (look at the Downtown Detroit area), and local attractions on the Marriott's website.

What will you be visiting or doing while in Detroit? Respond in the comments below, send me an email to be included in this post (to ksniegowski@stle.org), or your tweet activities (using hashtag #STLE2013)!

And Visit Detroit has some great videos, including this one, on Downtown Detroit.

Registration Now Open for May Webinars: Solvents & Cleaners and Biobased Lubes & Greases

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

This month we'll be featuring more on environmentally friendly, or biobased lubricants and greases, as well as solvents and cleaners. See below for more details on each and to preview upcoming topics.

Solvents & Cleaners in Industrial Applications
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 22, 2013; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Russ Chambers, Quadra Chemicals
Overview: In this webinar, we will cover types on solvents and cleaners, as well as their composition and properties, leading to the selection of a solvent or cleaner. We’ll also cover industry-specific applications – the when, why and how you’d use a solvent or cleaner. We’ll also cover health and safety issues, as well as new regulations and trends.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register now (must log in to obtain correct pricing)

Biobased Lubes & Greases: Respected Market Contenders
Date/Time: Thursday, May 30, 2013; 12-1 pm CST (with additional time for Q&A from 1-1:30)
Instructor: Dr. Lou Honary, UNI-NABL
Overview: This webinar provides an overview of the technical and commercial opportunities in biobased lubricants and grease areas. Topics will include a brief historical review of the biobased lubricants and grease technologies, new developments in base vegetable or crop oils, base oil modifications including genetic enhancement of seed oils and chemical modifications of base oils, and advances in performance enhancing additives. There will also be a brief presentation on new processing technologies for manufacturing biobased products.
Cost: $39 for members; $59 for non-members
[Click here] for more information
[Click here] to register (must log in to obtain correct pricing)

Upcoming topics:

6/5: Emulsifiers 101 (you may also like Emulsifiers 201, to be held on 9/19)
6/12: Waste Treatment of MWFs, with instructor John M. Burke, Houghton International
6/26: The Steel Industry, with instructor Rick Schrama
7/10: Air Compressors, with instructor Glenn Short, BVA
7/11: Gas and Process Compressor Lubricants, with instructor Glenn Short, BVA
7/17: MWF Microbiology Basics, with instructor Fred Passman, BCA, Inc.

[Click here] to see all topics booked for 2013 (new events posted as information becomes available)
[Click here] to view online events in our calendar

2013 Annual Meeting - Early Bird Pricing Expires Monday!

klemar@stle.org (Kara Lemar/STLE) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Don't forget to save a bit of money by registering early - by April 1.
Take a look at the Preliminary Program Guide and start making your plans so you can be part of this can't-miss conference!

[Click here] to view the conference brochure (left), or [click here] for the PDF download

[Click here] to register online

[Click here] to download a PDF registration form (fax or scan/email back in)

[Click here] for the Corporate Member registration form - you get two free registrations and two free education courses with the Basic tier, and three registrations and three courses with the Premium!

Still not sure if you should attend this year?

1. We have recorded some of the sessions that were chosen by attendees at last year's Annual Meeting - they chose these presentations as Highlights they'd like to review and share after the conference. [Click here] to listen to some of the sessions chosen as Highlights from last year's meeting

2. Read The Business Case For Attending STLE's Annual Meeting - either to present to your supervisor, or to assuage any of your own doubts. And read our President's Message on the meeting, Tradition and Innovation.

3. Check out some Detroit blogs (including Visit Detroit, Detroit Moxie, Detroit UnSpun, Dig Downtown, and Eat It Detroit), to get a feel for the destination. Also be sure to read our tips for first time attendees, and get some perspective from past attendees.

4. Hear it direct from other members and non-members who've attended - see our testimonials below! Or read more here.

“I can always count on the Annual STLE Meeting and Exhibitions to have all our customers under one roof and great networking. It is a great way to keep in touch with the pulse of the industry.” – David Oesterle, The Lubrizol Corporation

Evan Zabawski

“The STLE Annual Meeting is the best venue for sales, marketing, and technical people to meet and discuss products that are instrumental in moving our industry forward.” –Samuel Wolfe, Wolfe Chemicals
“The STLE Annual Meeting offers both the best information on tribological related research and the best technical approaches to improve equipment reliability. Technical session and exhibition provides a proper balance of basic understanding and practical applications. Technical courses offer additional edge of required knowledge.” – George Staniewski, Ontario Power Generation
“A great event to both meet colleagues involved in all facets of lubrication, and partake of the excellent technical content.” – Evan Zabawski

Don Smolenski

“This was my first time attending. I took 3 courses and all were excellent and presenters were extremely knowledgeable. Overall, a great group of people. They were friendly and willing to share expertise and discuss technology.” – Gary Bilski, Honeywell Consumer Products Group
“Outstanding opportunity to meet and discuss with experts within the biggest and most active association of tribologists worldwide.” – Steffen Bots, Oelcheck
“The STLE Annual Meeting provides excellent technical content, training, exhibits and networking, all in one place.” – David Turner, Shell Global Solutions
“Presentation technical quality was very good. Networking was excellent. The meeting is great for collaboration.” – Don Smolenski, General Motors (now Evonik)