Control Automation Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

03/06/2025 Waves of Innovation From cutting-edge tidal turbines to seabed sampling systems and low-carbon installation vessels, Tom Austin-Morgan reports on the UK’s thriving marine engineering sector » Read More

03/06/2025 Innovation drives efficiency Engineers have employed innovative flow measurement technology to improve wastewater treatment efficiency at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Alison Miles, UK and Ireland sales and innovation manager at Nivus, explains more » Read More

03/06/2025 Industrial Evolution Following a flurry of recent software-based developments, Louise Davis reports on the latest AI-powered advances in industrial automation » Read More

03/06/2025 Cleared for take-off Senior Aerospace Weston places significant importance on workplace standards – which is why the Lancashire company has installed more than 50 Filtermist oil mist filters on machine tools across its manufacturing facility » Read More

03/06/2025 Future Vision Computer vision technology has rapidly replaced the human eye in logistical sorting processes. Lars Pruijn, innovation director, and Lorenzo D’Arsie, computer vision product manager at Prime Vision, examine computer vision technology » Read More

03/06/2025 Comment: Digital or Paper? When it comes to consuming written or infographic material do you prefer to have a paper copy, or to consume the material from a screen? Many people will say that it depends. » Read More

03/06/2025 Innovation in the DNA Combilift is one of the world’s leading forklift manufacturers. Justin Burns finds out what makes the Ireland-based company so successful and hears more about its latest technology » Read More

03/06/2025 Clean Up Operations Popular in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, clean-in-place systems can deliver considerable operational advantages. But, as solutions specialist Wayne Morton tells Louise Davis, reaping those benefits requires a considered approach to ... » Read More

03/06/2025 The right motor For aerospace applications, brushless DC (BLDC) motors are commonly used because of the performance they provide, yet the choice between slotted or slotless designs remains. Adrien Mettraux, industry manager at Portescap, explains » Read More

13/05/2025 Space-based solar power Space-based solar power could help us decarbonise power grids and, it may soon become a commercial reality. Dr Jody E Muelaner reports » Read More

13/05/2025 Drones deliver The oil & gas industry is embracing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a range of inspection applications, and, as Stefano Zampieri tells Louise Davis, the benefits of these drone deployments go beyond just being safer than ... » Read More

13/05/2025 The digital wave Schneider Electric hosted a workshop to address the challenges and opportunities within the water sector. This article summarises the key findings of the event that were compiled within a white paper » Read More

13/05/2025 Pump it up With a recent report showing declining sales of heat pumps in Europe in the last year, what can the UK do to ensure its healthy growth doesn’t follow suit? Tom Austin-Morgan finds out » Read More

13/05/2025 Comment: Enhanced connections I am pleased to share that the combined sector committee of IPlantE and BES was conducted on 4 February 2025. The meeting was held smoothly with all of the relevant issues discussed in a very positive manner. » Read More

13/05/2025 Smooth operators Properly applied and maintained lubrication keeps equipment running for longer. Louise Davis explores how the latest lubricant products can reduce operational costs as well as friction » Read More

13/05/2025 Cybersecurity resilience Cybersecurity is something has to be a high priority for every organisation. Joe Lamoko, IoT business development manager at TÜV SÜD, shares his thoughts about new legislation coming into play » Read More

13/05/2025 The future of foam in fire suppression Fire suppression systems are fundamental to the safety and security of a facility. Mark Thewlis, operations director at Alpine Fire, discusses the potential changes to legislation that engineers need to be aware of » Read More

13/05/2025 Make the right choice Air compressors are vital to many road construction projects. Alex Persyn, director of product management at Rotair, gives a comprehensive guide to choosing the right air compressors » Read More

08/04/2025 Sensor sensibility As plants become better connected via increasingly sophisticated networks of systems conducting critical monitoring activities, Louise Davis discovers what is new from the sensors specialists » Read More

08/04/2025 Routine examination Louise Davis speaks with an engineering inspection expert to explore how plants can incorporate inspection activities into their regular maintenance plans – and what site personnel can do to ensure inspections run smoothly » Read More

08/04/2025 Navigating new cobot regulations New robot safety standards have come into effect to reflect technological changes and advancements in collaborative robots (cobots). Matt Androsiuk of Cobots and Machinery Safety looks at the changes » Read More

08/04/2025 Constant motion Domin has released a whitepaper that highlights the inefficiencies of hydraulic systems and how to revolutionise motion control. Ben Spencer provides a summary of the findings » Read More

08/04/2025 Comment: The importance of CPD I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Operations Engineer, and don’t forget to record any learnings gained in your Continued Professional Development (CPD) log. Recording CPD is a fundamental part of being a professionally ... » Read More

08/04/2025 Fixing the pockets Libby Peacock, compressed air expert at Rubix, explains why production facilities across the continent are costing manufacturers more than necessary, and what they can do to fix it » Read More

08/04/2025 Ensuring humidity control Humidity is the enemy of battery manufacturers, so its measurement and control is extremely important – not just for the plant’s energy efficiency, but also for the quality and yield of batteries, affecting issues such as range in EVs. ... » Read More