Educational theme for British leather technicians` meeting
The UK Society for Leather Technicians and Chemists (SLTC) Northern Group held its May meeting at the Gomersal Park Hotel, Bradford, West Yorkshire on May 16.
The programme included a lecture on decanter centrifuges from Peter Smith
of Centriquip who described the use of centifuges in the treatment of tannery and other effluents. Centrifuges enable the production of sludges with solids contents of approximately 25% and result in a very clean effluent, Smith explained. However, he also stressed that their main function is to dewater effluent. They should not be considered as an effluent treatment method.
Steve Hodges of Delapre Machinery followed with a lecture on the use of automation of the leather making process, with particular emphasis on materials handling, from raw hides through to finished leather. Hodges illustrated the latest applications in conveyors and loaders, noting the contrast between the UK abttoir and tanning industries in terms of their investment in new technology, with the tanneries lagging far behind. In the lively discussion that followed, Hodges suggested that the tanning industry could learn much in terms of production ideas by looking at other industries.
Dr Richard Roy presented the Wolstenholme Memorial Lecture on the history and changing role of leather technical education in the UK. This was an informative review of the main educational establishments offering qualifications in leather making and research.
