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.

26/08/2017 Right here, right now Industry 4.0 is more than just a flashy catchphrase. A confluence of trends and technologies promises to reshape the way things are made – and it’s finally happening, as Mark Venables discovers » Read More

13/02/2017 Changing times It’s time to think seriously about joining the Fourth Industrial Revolution before UK manufacturers get left behind by more progressive nations, warns Chris Beck » Read More

13/02/2017 Keeping guard When it comes to machine safety, failure to adhere to regulations can be an expensive business, but compliance need not be such an onerous task, as Mark Venables explains » Read More

31/01/2017 Under pressure Chris Beck learns how, when it comes to compressed air savings, even a small change can make a big difference » Read More

18/10/2016 On the meter In the ongoing drive for business to increase efficiency, understanding exactly what energy is being used where is at the heart of any solution, as Mark Venables discovers » Read More

22/05/2016 Safety first for wireless networks New regulatory requirements come into force this year that will affect the burgeoning industrial wireless industry as Mark Venables explains. » Read More

21/05/2016 Fixing the future Thermography and vibration monitoring can be invaluable in detecting problems with machinery. But how can plant engineers get the most value? Hywel Roberts investigates » Read More

16/05/2016 Bureau Veritas create PATH for engineers Here CEO Ken Smith talks about the new PATH initiative and the importance of training and development » Read More

18/01/2016 Getting to the root There are many tools that can be utilised to improve performance of plant, one such methodology is Root Cause Analysis. But as Mark Venables discovers it is not as widely used as many believe. » Read More

18/01/2016 Pressure on air performance Ensuring that a compressed air system works proficiently and safety is vital for complying with regulations and ensuring efficient operation as Mark Venables explains » Read More

18/01/2016 Trip advisor Slips, trips and falls are still the biggest cause of injuries to manufacturing employees, accounting for 30% of non-fatal accidents. From improved flooring and footwear to driving cultural change on the shopfloor, Ian Vallely looks at the ... » Read More

04/01/2016 IMI Critical Engineering braves arctic conditions to secure major LNG contracts IMI Critical Engineering has clinched several major contracts for one of the world’s largest LNG projects. » Read More

04/01/2016 Baby food maker optimises production with pigging-systems A pigging system from URESH is ensuring that production is efficient and safe at a baby food manufacturer » Read More

16/12/2015 ECS renews sluice automation equipment for Environment Agency As the Environment Agency (EA) continues its programme to upgrade water control structures on the River Lee, it contracted ECS Engineering Services to replace the actuators and gearboxes on the sluice gates at Rammey Marsh. » Read More

23/11/2015 Lives and forks Reducing the number of incidents involving forklift trucks is all about encouraging a positive safety culture, as Ian Vallely discovers » Read More

02/11/2015 Catapult to deliver the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat Programme The Energy Systems Catapult has taken on delivery of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) Smart Systems and Heat (SSH) Programme, which is the Catapult’s first major project. » Read More

28/10/2015 Reaping the rewards of smart data Mark Venables investigates the growth of manufacturing execution systems and how they can turn Big Data into smart data to optimise productivity » Read More

23/09/2015 It pays to share asset care Proactive maintenance is an increasingly popular tool for businesses, helping to militate against machinery downtime and the associated costs. But should it be outsourced to expert maintenance companies or kept in house? Mark Venables ... » Read More

21/09/2015 Space - the final frontier To make the most of your storage space, you need to specify the best means of handling loads. Ian Vallely offers an overview of the main lift truck types and their applications » Read More

21/09/2015 Light fantastic How your factory is illuminated can have a massive impact on energy costs, morale, quality and productivity. Ian Vallely sheds light on a critical overhead over head » Read More

07/08/2015 Power trip Energy is moving rapidly up the agenda as fuel prices and environmental concerns become areas of increasing concern to factory managers. The Energy Event will offer an opportunity to discover how these issues will impact on your business ... » Read More

07/08/2015 Thinking safety first with processes and people Most people think of ATEX as an equipment standard, but it also covers the processes within any hazardous environment, says Mark Venables » Read More

22/06/2015 Facilitating the future Steve Webzell investigates outsourcing facilities management, discovering what it can offer, and how to strike the best deal » Read More

19/06/2015 Energy Oversight With energy-saving projects reaching saturation point, it's worth reminding ourselves that there are more improvement options than might meet the eye. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

20/05/2015 Conditional tense If plant and factory managers invested more wisely and formulated a condition monitoring strategy, involving more than infrared cameras and vibration monitoring tools, British manufacturing could run more efficiently. Brian Tinham explains » Read More