Flexitallic celebrates new century with “Change”

Another industry first for Flexitallic, the Change™ gasket delivers a more dynamic seal, with superior compression and recovery than any other gasket on the market*.  Initially developed for heat exchangers, Change™ can be supplied with Thermiculite®, PTFE, graphite filler and a wide variety of other metals, making it suitable for an extensive range of applications.

Phil Kelshaw, Managing Director, Flexitallic Ltd said:  “We are very excited about the launch of ‘Change’, the new generation of sealing technology.  It’s a fitting way to mark one hundred years of innovation and kick-start our second century at the forefront of industry technology.”

Russ Currie, Applications Engineering Manager, Flexitallic Ltd said: “ We developed a unique sealing construction and new welding process to engineer ‘Change’, which was created in direct response to customers’ long-term problems with gaskets in poor performing heat exchangers.  ‘Change’ has out-performed all  alternative gaskets including our own!  Efficiencies in production methods have also enabled this new technology to be a cost-effective solution for customers.”

Initial end-user response has been extremely positive.  Every client consulted expressed a commitment to specifying Change™, which will be available later this year.  

Flexitallic attains Platinum Award status with Cameron Leeds
Chris Denton, Purchasing Manager, Cameron Leeds, has presented Flexitallic with a “Platinum Award”, placing the manufacturer in the top 10% of Cameron Leeds’ supply chain.  Flexitallic is one of only eight suppliers, globally, of Cameron Leeds’ 150 direct suppliers to currently hold Platinum award status.

Flexitallic has achieved the Platinum Award following 24 consecutive months of zero non-conformities, equating to over 10,000 gaskets supplied without error.  This follows on from Flexitallic’s previous Bronze, Silver and Gold awards from Cameron Leeds.

Alex Lattimer, Commercial Director, Flexitallic Ltd commented:  “We are delighted to be awarded Platinum status by Cameron Leeds.  This award is recognition of continual and sustained improvement in quality performance levels – a fantastic achievement by all at Flexitallic.

“Flexitallic has an established global reputation as market leader in the manufacture and supply of static sealing products to the oil and gas industry, gained through consistently high levels of quality in both our products and our service. 

This is reflected by Cameron’s ultimate award presented to Flexitallic.”

Mr Denton, Cameron Leeds commented:  “Flexitallic has demonstrated outstanding levels of service and consistent product quality. 
Picture: 1960s photo of factory workers in sandals!

The supply of products which continually meet and exceed our quality requirements, combined with excellent operational account management, flexibility and speed of delivery, has achieved well-deserved Platinum award status for Flexitallic.”

Cameron Leeds, a $300m/£200m turnover business with 750 employees, is a leading manufacturer of pressure containing equipment to the oil and gas industry, supplying equipment to major oil and gas operators such as BP, Total, BG Group and Chevron. The company is part of Cameron International Corporation, a $9bn global organisation. 

Inventor solves major sealing industry issues with new Load Control System
Flexitallic has been announced as the exclusive supplier^** of the latest engineering innovation from inventor John Hirst, a new bolt control system to dramatically reduce leaks from high pressure joints. The new  Load Control System (LC1) controls the tension in the joint fastenings far more accurately than previous systems by measuring the joint preload with built in mechanical strain gauges. This radically different approach is far more accurate than traditional torque tightening methods.

LC1 inventor, John Hirst of Arnold Wragg Ltd said:  “This is the best  system on the market with a  great combination of accuracy and ease of use.  It gives an assembly preload accuracy of +/-5% compared to torque wrench tightening at +/-30% or hydraulic tensioners, enabling a leak-free joint.

 “Earlier systems required the fitter to position the nut accurately on the stud which is an awkward, time consuming process.  The LC1 patented design removes the need to position the nut accurately.  Following easy assembly, the LC1 also offers a quick and accurate finger and thumb check of the stud load, post- installation, reducing checking time from hours to seconds”

Russ Currie, Applications Engineering Manager, Flexitallic Ltd said: “Maintaining the correct tension at all times is critical for safe and effective operations.  Leaks in pressurised, fluid sealing applications can have catastrophic effects and can often be traced back to a simple bolt or stud failure. The Load Control System provides a reliable, safe and cost-effective solution to this problem. Its ingenious design allows for high performance bolt materials to be available in the most extreme of environments and also features an integral tension gauge, which measures stud strain with an accuracy of +/-5%.”

Phil Kelshaw, Managing Director, Flexitallic Ltd said:  “The LC1 is the latest addition to Flexitallic’s suite of products and services dedicated to delivering optimum fluid sealing joint integrity.  We are committed to the life-cycle of our customers’ processes - designing bespoke gaskets for specialist applications, rapid response for fast delivery, the best in engineering expertise and industry-leading training at our global Academy.”

Flexitallic will be demonstrating the Load Control System through the FDS Group’s Academy of Joint Integrity, which has dedicated facilities located in Aberdeen, Teesside, Humberside; Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire and globally in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, China, the Middle East and Kazakhstan. 

Flexitallic boosts production with £400,000 technology investment
Flexitallic Ltd has announced it has invested £400,000 in a new industrial laser cutting machine.

The new Bystronic laser expands Flexitallic’s laser capacity, enabling increased product ion, reduced lead times and a wider range of laser cutting services.   The machine has both oxygen and nitrogen cutting capabilities and offers high speed precision cutting and minimum heat distortion of the sheet parts.

Key features include; high-speed laser cutting with very high speeds in comparison to the current market standards, the latest cutting and piercing technologies to ensure the highest productivity, extremely short start-up time, continuous high quality cutting and greater thickness capability: stainless steel 20mm / mild steel 20mm / aluminum 12mm.

Stuart Lumley, Operations Director at Flexitallic said: “We are pleased to announce we have invested in a new Bysprint Pro 3015 4.4kw laser at our Scandinavia Mill facility.  This latest investment will help expand our current offering and allow us to cut stainless steel and mild steel up to 20mm thick as well as increasing our capabilities to cut other alloys and aluminium. This is a very exciting addition for Flexitallic as we look to increase manufacturing at the Scandinavia Mill site in both traditional and new markets.”

*based on thermal cycling and leakage tests:  Modified Shell Test, ROTT and Compression testing.

**Flexitallic is the exclusive supplier of LC1 for pressurised fluid sealing industry.  For non-pressurised applications, such as wind turbines and rail points, Flexitallic will recommend EcoStud LC-1, available from Arnold Wragg Ltd.   

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