Robert Flitney, CEng. MIMechE. has well established international experience of R&D and Consultancy in many areas of fluid sealing and is editor of the only monthly international technical publication concerned entirely with sealing technology. Parallel activities have included provision of training and membership of standards committees concerned with fluid sealing.

35 years experience of contract R&D on Fluid Sealing Technology at BHR Group, including 10 years managing this activity. This work included fundamental experimental studies of both dynamic and static seals, wide ranging consultancy projects and a considerable number of collaborative industrial projects, undertaken to assist both manufacturers and users with the development of realistic and meaningful test procedures together with improved prediction of seal performance. A sound basis for this work was created by initial engineering training and experience in the maintenance and operation of marine power plant and subsequent plant maintenance and operation experience in the food industry.

Examples of this work are evident in over 30 papers presented at international conferences. Current awareness and continuous contact with seal manufacturers world wide is ensured by the preparation of an edition of Sealing Technology Newsletter every month. Authoring the Seals and Sealing Handbook, 5th Edition has provided a recent opportunity to thoroughly research the broad range of technologies applied to provision of satisfactory sealing.