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Writer's pictureDurham Autoclaves

Training for Excellence: Durham Autoclaves and Melag Unite for Comprehensive Sterilisation Training



At Durham Autoclaves, we pride ourselves on delivering the very best in autoclave servicing, sales, and support. A large part of our success is due to our commitment to keeping up-to-date with the latest industry advancements, and ensuring that our engineers have the highest level of expertise possible.


Last week, this dedication was demonstrated once again when our team attended an exclusive, comprehensive training session hosted by Melag, a name synonymous with excellence in sterilisation technology.


This training wasn't just any regular session—it was the first time Melag has hosted such an extensive training course in the UK, which made it a truly special and valuable experience for us at Durham Autoclaves.


Over the span of two days, our engineers dove into the intricacies of Melag's Pro/Prime Line Vacuclave range and Premium Class Vacuklavs, focusing on key aspects of installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.


Why Melag Is The Benchmark in Sterilisation Technology

It’s essential to highlight why Melag continues to be the leading name in autoclave technology worldwide. Established in 1951, Melag has been family-run from the very beginning, with a passion for delivering cutting-edge sterilisation solutions.


Their commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability has made them the trusted partner of choice.


Every machine produced by Melag goes through a rigorous design, development, and testing process to ensure that it not only meets but exceeds industry standards.


Their philosophy of "Made in Germany" reflects their dedication to precision engineering. The result is autoclaves that are incredibly reliable, efficient, and long-lasting.


By partnering with Melag, Durham Autoclaves is able to offer our clients the best machines available on the market. From the compact speed of the Vacuclave 105, which has been dubbed the fastest autoclave in the world, to the larger Premium Class Vacuklavs, every product in the Melag portfolio is designed to meet the highest performance standards.


But a great machine is only as good as the knowledge and expertise of the engineers who service and install it—and that’s where this training session truly made a difference.

 


The Importance of Ongoing Training

At Durham Autoclaves, we know that staying up-to-date with the latest technological developments is critical for our engineers. It's not just about knowing how to install a machine; it's about understanding every detail of its operation, from its core components to the subtleties of troubleshooting.


That’s why we jumped at the opportunity to take part in Melag's first UK-based training session, which was led by some of the industry's top minds: Marc Hedler, Florian Wall, Pete Gibbons, and Patrick Wicher.


These industry experts not only demonstrated a vast knowledge of the technology but were also incredibly effective at sharing this knowledge with the attending engineers. Their hands-on approach made the training as practical as it was informative, ensuring that everyone left with a full understanding of the machines they work with.


From the Prime Line Vacuclave 105 and 118, to the Premium Class Vacuklav 41B+, every machine was explored in detail, giving our team the opportunity to learn both the theory and the practical side of operation.

 


Diving Deep into Autoclave Expertise

Throughout the two-day session, the training covered every crucial aspect of autoclave technology. Here are just a few of the topics our team was trained on:


Process Cycle and Function of Components: The engineers were walked through every stage of the sterilisation cycle, gaining a thorough understanding of the processes that happen inside the autoclave, from the pre-vacuum phase to post-cycle drying.


This is crucial for ensuring that each cycle runs optimally and that the machine performs reliably for our clients.


Installation and Commissioning: While installation may seem like a straightforward process, it involves a variety of technical nuances. This training provided our engineers with in-depth knowledge on how to set up each machine in different types of practices, ensuring it operates at peak performance from day one.


User Instruction and Operation: Knowing how to use the machine isn’t enough; our engineers are also responsible for educating our clients on best practices. The training looked into user instructions and how to guide clients through the features of each model.


This means when Durham Autoclaves installs a machine, we can confidently explain everything to the end-users and answer any questions they may have.


Maintenance and Troubleshooting: One of the most crucial parts of autoclave servicing is knowing how to keep the machines in top condition and address any issues that arise. Melag’s machines are designed to be reliable, but even the best machines require regular maintenance.


The training covered advanced troubleshooting techniques that will allow our engineers to identify and fix any potential issues efficiently, minimising downtime for our clients.


Special Maintenance: This part of the training focused on special procedures that may be needed in certain cases. This included everything from dealing with specific client needs to addressing unique operational challenges.


Our team also learned about the latest updates in Melag’s technology, which allows us to ensure our clients are always working with the most up-to-date solutions available. This knowledge will allow us to provide proactive advice on upgrades or modifications that could benefit their practices in the long term.

 


Hands-On Experience With Cutting-Edge Technology

What made this training session particularly valuable was the hands-on experience that our engineers gained. While it’s one thing to learn about a machine in theory, it’s another to work directly with it.


At Durham Autoclaves, we always aim to combine theory with practice, and this training session allowed our team to gain exactly that kind of well-rounded experience.


We also provided the machines for the training, meaning our engineers had the opportunity to work with the exact equipment they will be servicing for you, our clients. This familiarity with the machines, gained through practical application, is crucial for ensuring the highest standard of service and troubleshooting when out in the field.


The engineers were able to practice installations, simulate maintenance scenarios, and work through real-time troubleshooting, all under the guidance of Melag’s experts.


By the end of the session, the team had not only built on their existing knowledge but also developed a deeper understanding of Melag’s machines, allowing them to tackle even the most complex servicing and maintenance tasks with confidence.

 


Why This Training Matters For You, Our Clients

For our clients, this kind of training is a huge benefit. By ensuring that our engineers are continually learning and improving their skills, we can offer quicker turnaround times, more efficient troubleshooting, and expert-level advice on how to get the best performance from your autoclaves.


When you choose Durham Autoclaves, you’re not just getting access to a machine—you’re gaining a partner who understands your needs and works tirelessly to ensure your practice runs smoothly.

Whether it’s keeping your existing machines in top shape or helping you upgrade to the latest Melag model, you can trust that our engineers have the knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver.


Our commitment to ongoing training and professional development is one of the reasons we’re able to offer such a high level of service. This recent training session is just one example of how we ensure our engineers stay at the cutting edge of sterilisation technology, so that we can continue to deliver the best for you.



Every mile travelled, every machine installed, and every breakdown solved reflects the hard work and expertise of our engineers.


Thanks to them, we can continue to serve our clients across the UK with the high level of service they have come to expect from us.


If you have any questions about our services, or you’d like to discuss how we can help keep your autoclaves running smoothly, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!

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