Technical Tours - 5th September 2018

One tour from the options below is included in the full conference delegate packages. Tours depart and return to Austin Court, they will depart on time and will not be able to wait for anyone who is late. The return times are approximate depending on traffic. No refreshments are included in the tour.

Online registration for tours has closed. If you are interested in taking part in a tour on Wednesday 5th September please come to conference reception to check availability. 

T1- Heat recovery and energy generation at Spirax Sarco

Coach departs at 8.00am and returns at 1.00pm

The Spirax Sarco Technology Centre and Steam and Thermal Energy Laboratory demonstration centre tour will focus on a new Controlled Phase Cycle (CPC) solution using refrigerant HFO R1233zd that can recover useful energy from low-grade (less than 100°C) waste heat produced by many industrial processes and buildings, giving companies a new opportunity to generate electricity and reduce their energy costs substantially.  Spirax Sarco is a leading provider of steam system solutions and training, with a global presence of over 1,300 engineers in 34 countries. The training facility at the Technology Centre also includes a fully working boiler house, demonstration rigs providing hands-on fault finding and assembly exercises.

T2- Retail display cabinet manufacturing at Carter Retail Equipment Ltd

Coach departs at 9.10am and returns at 12.15pm

Carter Retail Equipment manufactures refrigerated display cases, cold stores and door systems from their 150,000 sq/ft site in Kitts Green, Birmingham. The state-of-the-art manufacturing plant houses the latest technology, including a semi automated assembly line and in line test facility, producing equipment for a range of refrigerants including HFO and hydrocarbon.  The site also includes a research & development and refrigerant testing capability with 3D CAD, environmental test chambers and test rigs.

T3 - Model retrofitted supermarket using R448A at Tesco

Coach will depart at 9.30am and return at 12.30pm

This tour will take delegates to a Tesco Superstore in Aston Lane which first opened in 2008 and has now been converted to R448A. The equipment on site includes containerised packs - two HT with refrigerant charges of approximately 260kg and two LT with charges of approximately 160kg. The engineering team from this major supermarket  will discuss the challenges and opportunities that were encountered during the retrofitting process and how the system is operating now it has been installed. 

T4- Cutting edging engineering training centre

Coach will depart at 9.30am and return at 12.30pm

The EEF Technology Hub in Aston is an £11m development and training centre created by the UK manufacturing and engineering industry, that opened in 2016. Its' 50,000 sq ft of training space has been designed and equipped to replicate real-life modern engineering and manufacturing workplaces. The site includes state if the art tool room, CAD/CNC facilities, robotic cells automated factory, fully equipped electrical bays, virtual welding as well as 14 welding bays and 120 manufacturing machines.  The Technology Hub is used extensively by major companies such as Jaguar Landrover for apprentice training. This tour is designed for those interested in finding out more about excellence in training in manufacturing processes. 

T5- Guided historical walking tour

The walk will begin at 9.45am return by 11.45am

Book here

Explore Birmingham’s engineering and industrial past with a local tour guide. The city has many industrial revolution-era landmarks that have been preserved as a testament to its history as a manufacturing powerhouse. Delegates will be introduced to Birmingham’s industrial pioneers and Victorian heritage while visiting key locations around the city and canal system. The walk will leave from IET Austin Court will last no more than 2 hours.