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.

11/03/2015 It’s the engineering conundrum, stupid As election fever (or torture, depending on your political outlook) starts to take hold, politicians and pressure groups are already piling on the pressure to persuade the populous and each other to their ways of thinking. » Read More

23/02/2015 Premium efficiency Since 1 January 2015, IE3 premium-efficiency motors have been compulsory for new machines in the range 7.5–375kW. Brian Tinham examines the implications of the second phase of EU MEPS » Read More

23/02/2015 Main event packs a punch Last year’s Maintec broke records, attracting more than 3,670 visitors. On its return to the NEC, Birmingham on 24–26 March 2015, it will be even bigger thanks to its co-location with other shows including the Health and Safety Event » Read More

23/02/2015 Automation architectures As control system developers increasingly adopt the technologies and techniques of mainstream IT, the results are reducing costs and improving flexibility. » Read More

25/01/2015 More than just a suitable case for treatment Setting up an occupational health department in your company or using an outside service for preventive healthcare can result in a healthy profit as well as a healthy workforce, says Ian Vallely » Read More

23/01/2015 Value adding Managers turning to the belief that maintenance may be non-core need to consider the implications of that notion before they outsource key engineering functions. » Read More

23/01/2015 Energy compression When it comes to systems delivering energy for industrial processes, compressors are among the least efficient. Modern designs, energy recovery and informed maintenance all help, but EU regulations will force change. » Read More

09/12/2014 Breath of fresh fluid What bothers engineers concerned with pneumatics can be very different to those working solely with hydraulics. » Read More

09/12/2014 Wired for sense Although electrochemical sensors remain the bread and butter for gas detection, alternative technologies have come a long way, with the oil and gas sector leading the charge. » Read More

09/12/2014 How do you shape up? A quarter of factory management teams lack a formal maintenance strategy, while a third are oblivious to the costs of downtime, according to research. Time for a wake-up call, says Max Gosney » Read More

09/12/2014 Firing on all four? Heat recovery should be a burning issue for engineers and managers – whether maintaining existing boiler plant or specifying new systems. Brian Tinham looks at available technologies, and what's coming » Read More

09/12/2014 Balancing benefits or appeasing the voters? With the chancellor putting the final touches to his Autumn Statement (as we go to press), and the pressure on to continue delivering the coalition's austerity programme, recent developments will be making this balancing act increasingly ... » Read More

03/12/2014 Starter for ten We're all aware of the importance of choosing higher-efficiency electric motors, pumps, fans, etc, to cut costs and emissions, but are we missing a trick? Brian Tinham reports » Read More

03/12/2014 Lay waste to poor treatment There are many ways to clean up performance of water and effluent treatment units in industrial plants. Steed Webzell takes a look at some of them » Read More

03/12/2014 Watch your step More than 29,000 people were killed or badly injured by slips, trips and falls in the UK in 2012/2013, but there are steps you can take to diminish the risks. » Read More

02/12/2014 The pursuit of power Improvements in forklift truck engines and motors – and the fuels that drive them – have led to more versatile machines and a greater choice in truck specification. Ian Vallely adds fuel to the arguments for and against the different power ... » Read More

13/11/2014 Gearing up Choice of gearbox type, not just sizing, is critical to the performance, efficiency, reliability and cost of any application. Brian Tinham takes advice from Brevini sales manager Dave Brown » Read More

13/11/2014 Fired up for success Bosch Thermotechnology's Worcester factory is already a benchmark site within its group for efficiency, but this engineering powerhouse has sparked yet more improvement, thanks to lean production lines and some serious energy-reduction ... » Read More

13/11/2014 Making manufacturing a party political issue As we go to press, with the 2014 party political conference season almost over and the closing speeches still ringing (perhaps somewhat hollow?) in our ears, it's interesting to ponder the dilemma for whichever government picks up the ... » Read More

23/10/2014 Age concern A sharp focus on maintenance can result in significant improvements in factory operations, but too many managers struggle to take seriously the upkeep of their plant and equipment, says Ian Vallely » Read More

23/10/2014 Good ergonomics is good economics Ergonomics – ensuring a good fit between people and their working environments – can help cut absenteeism, raise quality, boost productivity and reduce costs. Ian Vallely looks at the potentially profound impact of ergonomic design on a ... » Read More

23/10/2014 More for less Getting something for nothing isn't everyone's experience, but when it comes to energy efficiency it's easier than you might imagine to come close. Brian Tinham talks to Bosch Thermotechnology and Autoglym » Read More

27/09/2014 Money for nothing Combined heat and power is one of those rare examples of a system that breaks the rule that insists 'if something sounds too good to be true it probably is', says Ian Vallely » Read More

27/09/2014 Opportunity knocks? While the temptation is understandably to tackle energy-saving projects piecemeal on the shopfloor, taking a holistic approach will reap far bigger rewards. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

23/09/2014 Bring Cinders to the ball Steam generation and distribution plant still isn't getting the attention it deserves. Brian Tinham looks at what's required to bring this Cinderella to the high-efficiency ball. » Read More