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.

21/06/2023 PFAS restriction impossible - BPMA Wayne Rose of the marketing commission Secretariat of trade association Europump, and newly-appointed CEO of the BPMA, offers insight into the pump sector’s position in relation to the restrictions on using per- and polyfluoroalkyl ... » Read More

21/06/2023 All about PI Process intensification (PI) is an approach to chemical engineering that can have a transforming effect, reports Toby Clark » Read More

21/06/2023 Specifying a precision motor Gerard Bush of motion control equipment supplier INMOCO discusses the principles of motor selection for precision motion applications » Read More

19/06/2023 Introducing mediation to resolve workplace disputes Mediation is being actively encouraged as a way of resolving employment disputes. It is cost-effective and should produce a better outcome if both parties fully commit to the process, reports Wright Hassall legal director and mediator Mali ... » Read More

09/06/2023 Peak pack For a while I have been concerned with the amount of unnecessary and excessive packaging I receive from online retailers. » Read More

09/06/2023 Details really do matter Dominic Dawson, chief engineer, Zurich Engineering, the new chair of SOE subsidiary BES, discusses the safety and compliance issues raised in last month‘s article ‘Details Matter’ » Read More

31/05/2023 New efficiency rules New efficiency rules for electric motors will take effect in the EU from July 2023. The aim is to reduce electricity consumption and therefore strengthen climate protection. Daniel Lehmann, product manager at KEB Automation, explains what ... » Read More

31/05/2023 ION sensors for hazardous vapours Businesses that handle hazardous vapours have a duty of care to protect workers from overexposure to harmful gases. ION Science contends that its sensors serve as an alternative to the unproven and low-cost alternatives that could increase ... » Read More

31/05/2023 DROPS reaches its 25th anniversary DROPS (Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme) has steadily been gaining traction around the world as the campaign marks its 25th anniversary. Ben Spencer gets an insight into the milestones, opportunities, and plans for future » Read More

31/05/2023 UV light for decontamination While UV light is effective at destroying pathogens, it also poses dangers for their hosts – namely people. How can UV-C irradiation be used for disinfection in healthcare without endangering those in its vicinity, asks Brian Wall » Read More

31/05/2023 Safer sterilisation During the COVID pandemic, a new type of cleaner was released into the market promising 24-hour disinfection. Tom Austin-Morgan asks, what does that actually mean, and how does it work? » Read More

31/05/2023 IMI's e-forklift engineering qualifications Forklift trucks with electric drive units are becoming increasingly popular, but does the sector have enough trained maintenance technicians to work on these high-voltage vehicles? » Read More

31/05/2023 Wider use for AMRs While autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) superficially resemble automated guided vehicles (AGVs), AMRs can navigate anywhere across the factory floor using vision systems and other sensors. » Read More

31/05/2023 Cobots for palletising The most visible application for collaborative robots is in palletising – picking and stacking boxed items on to a pallet, ready for transport. This boring, potentially injurious work is ideal for a robot, but does, crucially, sometimes ... » Read More

31/05/2023 Reducing energy via VSDs Manufacturers looking to improve the efficiency of their cooling systems should consider technologies that maximise part-load efficiency. Variable speed drive (VSD) technology is here to help, writes Dave Palmer, general manager for the UK ... » Read More

31/05/2023 All about high-efficiency motors Motors driving HVAC air-handling units can devour vast amounts of electricity. Now, high-efficiency motors are rapidly changing the status quo, writes Brian Wall » Read More

18/05/2023 Geothermal energy: mining a rich seam Long abandoned and mostly ignored, disused coal mines are being given a new lease of life as a renewable energy source with the potential to deliver a zero-carbon footprint » Read More

17/05/2023 Hydrogen in the gas network Natural gas consists of about 90-95% methane (CH4), with small amounts of nitrogen, ethane and several other gases – and by law, no more than 0.1% of hydrogen. But methane is itself a potent greenhouse gas, and when burned it produces ... » Read More

16/05/2023 Reducing supply chain problems The impact of supply chain issues on industry services has highlighted the importance of having an effective enterprise asset management (EAM) solution in place, writes Alan Cambridge, CEO of enterprise asset management specialist Peacock ... » Read More

16/05/2023 How to calculate outrigger mat sizes Crane stability is the prerequisite of safety, and in an increasingly litigious society it is now highly cost-effective to set crane outriggers and mats for maximum stability first time, every time, explains Mike Ponsonby » Read More

16/05/2023 Solid as a rock What are solid lubricants, how do they compare to standard bearings, and how are they used in various industries? Tom Austin-Morgan finds out » Read More

16/05/2023 Tips for reducing energy use Within the water treatment industry, aeration processes consume the most energy. However, costs for electricity are continuing to rise. Reviewing current processes and taking advantage of some modern technology are just two ways to ... » Read More

16/05/2023 Flown the coop One of the very few maintenance roles licenced in the UK relates to aircraft maintenance. Which is unfortunate, as Brexit has imposed additional cost and administrative burdens, finds Peter Shakespeare » Read More

16/05/2023 The networker If society could be described as a network of connections between individual people, industry is defined as connections between companies and organisations. Facilitating relationships with government and information exchange at a higher ... » Read More

16/05/2023 The ‘green marine’ fuel quest Maritime shipping has long been dominated by heavy diesel engines, which contribute to global warming. Could that all be about to change as punitive new regulations come into force, asks Brian Wall » Read More