Four Basic Engineering Related Trainings in October
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Followings are the trainings that I have recently attended in the month of October.
1. Engineering Code of Ethics (12 CPD hours) 4 & 5 October, IEM Building, PJ.
2. Engineering Management Practice (12 CPD hours) 19 & 20 October, , IEM Building, PJ.
3. Safety and Health at Work (12 CPD hours) 25 & 26 October, IEM Building, PJ.
4. Engineering Failure Analysis (7 CPD hours) 23 October, Faculty of Mechanical, UTM.
All of the trainings mentioned above have certain fees to be paid and that is part of the commitment to be and maintain ourselves as a professional engineer.
During the Engineering Failure Analysis training, on the tea break, I have a chat with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Shuhaimi (who also is a committee member for the IEM Southern Branch) from Mechanical Engineering Faculty, UTM. He told me that an engineer chatted with him about him spending more than RM4000 already that year just to attend trainings to maintain his CPD hours and maintain his title as a professional engineer. The cost includes training fees, fees, food, accommodation etc.
Basically, this message shows that to maintain professional engineer status it requires certain amount of cash. It is very good that engineers attend training to strengthen and enhance their knowledge. It is also good that as engineers, we can learn other disciplines, information, field of engineering. On top of that, we can mingle around and do networking with other engineers.
I personally agree with the fact that all professional engineers need to attend trainings and courses, technical visits and tours. I can say this because I have personally experience it and felt the benefit. I am exposed to more engineering and industrial information besides learning some of it from Discovery channel!!!
I also managed to be friends with several dozens of engineers from various disciplines, background and industries when I attended those trainings. I have more contacts and I strongly believe that is beneficial for me. It is good for me to have new civil, electrical, mechanical and chemical engineer friends. Off course, we exchanged our name cards and other contact details.
Interestingly, with reference to the mandatory courses that I attended, I discovered that there were those of the age of 36 to 48 attending the course. These people, despite of their age, still have the desire to get an engineering degree (which obviously they earned it) and pursue their own quest to be professional engineer. I have full respect of them... These people still have the will power and desire to get themselves chartered and recognizable.
So, regardless of your age, get yourself chartered or have the professional engineer status if you still don't have it. If you are still young (just recently graduated), go for it. Get the right information, get yourself registered and follow all the necessary training program. Don't delay and hesitate. Time will not wait.
If you want to learn more about IEM, click here.
If you want to learn more on the trainings and courses organized by IEM, click here.
If you want to learn more about IEM Southern Branch, click here.
If you want to learn more about BEM, click here.
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posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 9:03 AM,
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Lean Six Sigma MasterClass
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
People use to say "Money make Money". But now, as time elapse, things change, we come to a new concept: "Knowledge makes Money". Knowledge is now the most powerful tool. With knowledge you have awareness, control, fresh and innovative ideas to compound your wealth and reduce your living, operating, production cost. That's why, I spend a lot of time learning all sorts of knowledge and be updated with as many informations. You should invest on knowledge as well. Ask your boss to send you for a training, seminar, course, exhibition, or conference. I always do that...
Yesterday, I received an email from a Expitris Worldwide Sdn Bhd, a training company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia saying thanks for my recent post about Lean Manufacturing Seminar conducted by them. Besides that, Expitris will be organizing another brilliant course entitled "Lean Six Sigma MasterClass". A short detail of the course are as follows:
Dates: 28th-29th May 2007 (2 days)
Venue: Melia Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For a fast reference on what is Lean Six Sigma, click HERE.
This program is conducted by an outstanding international trainer Dr. Akpolat.
He has an astonishing experience in deploying Lean Six Sigma Methodologies.
This might be your Critical Decision Factor!!! Save Cost....Work Efficiently...Work Effectively....Eliminate all sort of Waste...
“Dr. Akpolat is an outstanding trainer, that set us into an easy direction
of understanding of the concepts for our process, Excellent delivery!”
Asst. Engineer Mitsubishi Electric Malaysia Sdn Bhd
The course is suitable for managers, manufacturing engineers, production engineers, process engineers, supervisor, and so forth.
Best of all, they are offering a 10% discount for visitors from this blog (you have to mention that you are a reader or visitor of Chemical Engineering World Blog in order to get the 10%-off).
Get more info from www.exww.com / www.expitris.com
Mrs. J.V. Guna
Expitris Worldwide Sdn Bhd (641332-X)
Suites 14-02, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan,50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel : ++603 - 2072 2233 Fax : ++603 - 2072 2211 www.exww.com / www.expitris.com
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Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Learning Curve, Study, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 4:20 PM,
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ISO and HACCP Audit
Thursday, April 19, 2007
My plant was audited today and we thoroughly prepared for this occasion since last week. It was an ISO and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) audit. We have to ensure all records and documents are well kept and organized. We must clean the plant and clear it from unwanted objects such as cotton rags, welding rod, plastic, food wrap, cigarette bud, water clogging, etc which were lying around (the lists of objects that you can find in the plant are too long but please don't assume we are not cleaning the plant. We clean the plant on a daily basis, but sometimes unwanted objects suddenly appears!!! It's a very big plant - 10 floors). Besides that the plate heat exchanger (PHE) and pump tray should be dry and clean (for your information, sometimes the PHE and pump leaks and oil is contained in the tray. This can be considered oil lost!!! Oil is money in the oil industry).
The Critical Control Point (CCP), [which is a point, step or procedure at which controls can be applied and a food safety hazard can be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable (critical) levels] in my plant is the filter bags. The filter bag record and differential pressure was inspected randomly. This CCP is very important in food industry because it is the most critical step in ensuring the safety and cleanliness of a food product. I don't intend to describe more about this as it might be too technical (unless anybody wants to know more, you can ask me via email).
The glasses at the pressure gauge, temperature gauge and vessels were inspected as well. In addition, the pest control program was checked too. During the interview, we managed to answer and convince the auditor that the ISO and HACCP standards are well applied. I'm glad that we passed through this round of audit without any non-conformance (NC). Thanks to all the supervisors, shift leaders, plant operators and contract workers for their commitment, dedication and hard work for the audit preparation.
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Labels: Heat Exchanger, Oil and Fats, Pump, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 11:16 PM,
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Becoming an Auditor
Saturday, March 24, 2007
I was trained to become an internal auditor at my work place. Yesterday, I was audited two departments (instruction to become auditor was given two weeks earlier): "Consumer Packing Marketing Department" (CPM) and "Shipping Department". I have read both departments procedure manuals and quality objectives earlier. CPM documents are easier to comprehend and digest compared to the confusing terms and definitions for the shipping department. Then I wondered, why did they sent a process engineer like me to audit this shipping department? I knew it was not going to be easy. I don't even have any shipping background. Well, instruction was given and I have to perform the job.
Yesterday, to make things worse, the lead auditor, who happened to be a senior employee, could not join the auditing process, leaving just me and another colleague from account department. In the morning, the two of us headed to the CPM department, began the audit opening meeting and on-site document checking. It took us about 3 hours flipping and checking documents besides asking questions. The audit process when smooth, the auditees were very cooperative and easy going. The CPM department job scope and flow chart is straight forward and easy to understand. After completing the audit process, we prepared the report and conducted the closing meeting. No non-conformance was awarded. We just gave them 3 observations that they need to respond and improve with respect to some minor poor documentation control.
Later in the afternoon, we proceeded to the shipping department and met the auditees (3 person whom happen to be senior executives - 2 versus 3!!!). Deep inside my heart, I already knew that this is not going to be easy simply because I have almost no knowledge on shipping stuff! I just read the quality objectives and manuals but hardly understood them. We began the audit process and I requested for their quality objectives (they have 3 objectives). I asked for the quality objectives but got confused with all the terms, definitions, phrases, concepts etc. There were few quality objectives that they could not achieved, but they have no control of the problems. It were due to some external factors, which again, I barely understood. Then I flipped through some of their documents and checked them. At least, I noticed something that is worth an observation. At the closing meeting, we informed the shipping executives about the only observation discovered and asked them to rectify it.
Oh boy, I was glad that the audit process is over. I felt like a fool auditing the shipping department. However, I took it positively. I knew it was a priceless experience and I managed to learn various activities in CPM and shipping department. At least now, I have a better idea on how those department operates. The experience enriched me become a better auditor, besides my main job - process engineer.
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Labels: Chemical Engineering, Learning Curve, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 11:49 PM,
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ISO and HACCP Audit
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Yesterday, my plant was internally audited. The auditors checked our International Organization for Standard (ISO) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) documents thoroughly. Few of the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) documents were reviewed as well. It took the auditors 4 hours to go through some of the documents. Besides interviewing me, the auditors interviewed the plant supervisors as well. By having an internal audit like this, we are continuously improving our documentation system. At the closing meeting, we were awarded 3 Non-conformance (NC), for not complying with the ISO and HACCP standard. I'll take appropriate corrective action towards the NC's charged to us.
Tomorrow, I'm going to be an internal auditor to audit two departments in my work place. One must be a trained auditor to carry out an audit. For that, today, I have made early preparation by reading that department's ISO documents. It's quite a new field to me, but at least I'm learning something non-technical from other department's operation and documentation.
An important thing to take note is, whenever, we charge a Non-conformance (NC), we must include a prove and associate the non-compliance with the right clause from the ISO or HACCP standard.
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Labels: Chemical Engineering, Learning Curve, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 7:18 PM,
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Lean Manufacturing Seminar
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I received a brochure about a seminar entitled "Achieving Excellence in Lean Manufacturing" - "Saving millions with Lean Practices and Quality Leadership for Global Success". The seminar is going to be held in Kuala Lumpur, 23-24 April 2007 at Melia Hotel Jalan Imbi.
You can check out more about this seminar at expitris.com. I have been to a one day Lean system organized in my work place. I learned a lot from it and it's good for everybody in our working environment to learn the concept. Some of the information about Lean Manufacturing System are included below:
Lean Manufacturing:
In this workshop, you obtain a working knowledge of Lean Practices. You come to understand how
these basic concepts increase your throughput and speed your response to changing customer
demands.
When you successfully use these techniques, your organization improves safety, quality, delivery,
and cost. You learn how the cross-functional team approach aids to implement Lean Practices and
ultimately leads to a win-win outcome for all.
. Examine and action the critical success factors for
sustained operational efficiency
• Achieve the performance objectives of your
organization and improve value to the customer
• Enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of
material flow through the demand pipeline
• Drive and achieve quality standards in the face of
increasing market pressures for speed to market
• Forecast market demand accurately to improve
scheduling for production
• Achieve production efficiency through Value Stream
Mapping
• Manage your workforce effectively for continuous
improvement
• Measure manufacturing performance in order to
achieve the desired outcome
Labels: Learning Curve, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 10:08 PM,
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NIPPON PAINT
Saturday, February 17, 2007
I have adopted some info from Nippon website regarding their ability to provide high quality paint to be used in plants (oil and gas, oil and fats and other sort of industries) to paint various equipments and parts.
Today, NIPPON PAINT is right out in the front line of this industry offering a unique range of high performance single and two component water-borne and solvent free protective coatings, safe and convenience, environmental friendly products yet bacteria resistance.
A wide and extensive range of proven NIPPON PAINT coating systems have been developed and are used for long term maintenance free coating protection of metallic, cementitious & timber substrate, in numerous landmark projects nationwide. The industries of which NIPPON PAINT protective coating have been used for long term maintenance free protective coatings are:
- Long term corrosion protection for structural steel for Oil & Gas refineries, petrochemical processing plants, pulp & paper mills, steel mills, fertiliser plants, power generation plants, processing & manufacturing plants, Bridges and Jetties.
- Internal and External protection of pipelines, storage tanks and vessels.
- Hygiene coating protection of processing plant and equipment throughout the food, drink, pharmaceutical, hospital, clinic and water treatment and supply industries.
- Corrosion protection of steel structures burried underground & underwater, sheet & pipepiles.
- High temperature coating for Chimney, flare stack, boiler, high heat pipings & ductworks.
- Industrial flooring protection, clean room coating, antistatic flooring system.
- Limited fire hazard performance coating protection of buildings, plant and equipments.
Labels: Chemical Engineering, Oil and Gas, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 10:58 PM,
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Paint in Plant
I use to think painting was simple and easy. But, when it comes to painting pumps, heat exchanger frame, walls, beam etc it opens a new chapter of knowledge inside me. Yesterday, we met with Nippon paint supplier. We learned something new about metal surface, epoxy, coating technology and others.
As I mentioned earlier in my previous post regarding 5S, we intend to improve the cleanliness and condition of our plant. We want the paint to last for about 2-3 years minimum. We don't want the paint to be nice for only a few months time before it faded and chipped of.
Initially, the supplier said that zinc chromate should be applied to prevent corrosion from progressing on the metal surface. It acts as a primer (which means the first layer to be appllied on the metal surface). Then, undercoat or finishing coat will be applied and this depends on how much cost we are willing to pay (either to have single coat or double coat). Having 2 layers of coating is better but the price is higher.
However, after considering the high temperature of pumps and heat exchanger frames and other tough environment factors in the plant, a primer layer of epoxy was suggested. Earlier, I heard that epoxy as a primer is the best to suit for tough environment, but technically I don't really know the chemistry detail behind it. A special coat (that will create stronger bond with the epoxy primer) will ensure that the quality of paint and its colour will last longer. Those combination will be slightly more expansive due to its quality.
We did get some advice on the correct painting technique and other relevant informations. Now, I'm waiting for the quotation of the primer and coating (paints).
Following is the correct painting technique from
Painting The Right Way
Now that you have chosen your ideal colours and type of finish, here are a few important tips to make your paint job came out with flying colours.
1. Prepare the Surface
- The most important stage. Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry and grease-free.
- Wash with water & liquid detergent.
- For heavy and stubborn stains, use turpentine and wash thoroughly.
- Fungus & mould: remove as above, followed by fungicidal wash or bleach.
2. Apply the Sealer or Primer
3. Apply the Undercoat
4. Apply the Finishing Coat
5. Be responsible to the environment
- Do not dispose of unwanted paint down drains.
- Allow paint to dry out in the container before dropping them into the rubbish bins.
Get some painting tips from Nippon
Learn more from http://www.nipponpaint.com.my/
Labels: Chemical Engineering, Heat Exchanger, Pump, TQM
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 10:54 PM,
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The Author
I’m Zaki. I used to be a project, process and chemical engineer. Few years ago I successfully became a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) and Professional Engineer (BEM). I'm now employed as a chemical engineering educator/researcher/consultant. Hope you like reading my blog. I welcome any feedback from you. My email: zaki.yz[alias]gmail.com. TQ!
