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.

23/09/2021 Asbestos in the rail network As with any other sector, it is essential that sufficient information regarding the potential location of asbestos is recorded prior to carrying out any demolition, repair or refurbishment work. It is equally important for rail workers to ... » Read More

16/09/2021 The biggest pumps in the world? Among the largest pumps made for industry are the reactor coolant pumps used in modern PWR, pressurised water reactor-type nuclear power plants such as Sizewell B in Suffolk, and Hinkley Point C, currently being built. Each 10m-tall ... » Read More

16/09/2021 Pump retrofit beyond the bearing housing Sulzer examines pump retrofit options outside of the bearing housing for single-stage overhung pumps to improve reliability and reduce operating costs » Read More

09/09/2021 PLM for automation components Purchasing criteria for automation products should not only include performance and price. Buyers should also ensure they ask suppliers how long their product will be supported and their position in the product lifecycle. By Jonathan ... » Read More

09/09/2021 Walking the high wire How do you balance replacing older or already-obsolete drives and controls against maximising their service lifespan – and what are the other key influencers at play? By Brian Wall » Read More

26/08/2021 An overview of force and pressure sensing The methods used to measure force in a range of applications and how these can be related to pressure sensing. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

26/08/2021 Virtual testing becomes reality The COVID-19 pandemic is preventing in-person visits, forcing many solution providers to introduce virtual factory acceptance tests. By Steed Webzell » Read More

18/08/2021 Keeping your compressor in tip-top condition Portable diesel- and petrol-powered compressors play a critical role in providing the air that drives pneumatic tools. But why do they suddenly fail sometimes, bringing a project to a grinding halt – and what can be done to prevent this ... » Read More

18/08/2021 More powerful power tools With a selection of high-power cordless power tools recently coming to market, why does voltage make a difference and how does it affect battery management? » Read More

12/08/2021 Inspection shutdowns in UK AGR nuclear power plants UK nuclear power plants including Heysham 1, Torness and Hinkley Point B have recently undergone shutdowns that have included inspections for cracks in their graphite core. Such work has gained a new sense of urgency in the past few years, ... » Read More

12/08/2021 A guide to employment tribunals Tina Chander, head of the employment law team at Wright Hassall, guides businesses and individuals through the employment tribunal process » Read More

30/07/2021 Circular economy from fuels to fashion Various technologies are appearing that are enabling new products to be made from waste products, ranging from clothing to biofuels By Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

30/07/2021 Hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel The ‘hydrogen economy’ refers to the way hydrogen — the lightest and simplest of elements — could become a central pillar of a carbon-neutral society that still allows the economy to thrive. In principle, hydrogen could provide energy for ... » Read More

29/07/2021 Are you using the correct spill kit? Spill kits are essential when dealing with workplace spills and leaks, particularly those involving dangerous substances and contaminants, but workers need to make sure they are using the right spill kit for the job. First Mats talks ... » Read More

29/07/2021 Eaton guide to selecting hydraulic tube for marine applications When it comes to specifying a hydraulic piping connection system for marine applications there are a number of critical factors to keep in mind. Firstly, the system must carry approval in accordance with the relevant agency specification. ... » Read More

28/07/2021 How to check the calibration and linearity of gas analysers Calibration is the process of establishing the relationship between the output of a measurement and a known input. In common with most measuring instruments, gas analysers require calibration following installation, and then at regular ... » Read More

22/07/2021 How to implement maintenance systems Philipp Wallner, industry manager, industrial automation & machinery at MathWorks (developer of mathematical computing software tools including MATLAB and Simulink), offers his advice » Read More

21/07/2021 Four steps to better electrical infrastructure resilience Manufacturing sites depend on a reliable, failsafe power supply. Too many businesses use outdated and potentially unsafe electrical assets for their critical power needs, putting people, operations and their bottom line at risk. When it ... » Read More

15/07/2021 Singing from the same hymn sheet Will Dalrymple speaks with Hywel Davies, technical director of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, about a new group that brings together eight built-environment trade bodies » Read More

15/07/2021 Clearing the air Poorly-ventilated indoor spaces have been highlighted as potential COVID infection hotspots by health authorities. With people heading back to offices as lockdown eases, what has been learned from hospitals that will ensure employee ... » Read More

09/07/2021 Achieving return on investment with a mixing process When mixing liquids, pastes and powders during an industrial process, manufacturers may identify issues that lead them to consider alternative methods. Common areas for improvement include variance due to a manual process, difficulty ... » Read More

08/07/2021 The cleaning power of pigging Build-up in pipelines can cause slowdowns, and even cracks or flaws that sometimes prove catastrophic. Pipeline pigging has established itself as a powerful ally in helping to overcome such issues. By Brian Wall » Read More

08/07/2021 An overview of torque tool calibration Torque tools provide vital assurance that bolts are the right tightness. Their readings, however, are not foolproof, and can drift out of tolerance over time. The engineering solution – torque tool recalibration – has become much more ... » Read More

30/06/2021 Inside a new BAE Systems digital factory demonstrator With a big future project in mind, BAE Systems has built a demonstration facility to develop innovative manufacturing tools to improve its production efficiency over the next decade. Where it leads, others may follow » Read More

30/06/2021 A guide to automated guided vehicles Although not new, the autonomous wheeled robots that pick and carry boxes and pallets are becoming ever more popular in improving productivity. These are known as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). By Jody ... » Read More