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.

19/05/2014 Carrying the can and doing a lot more besides Conveyors are capable of far more than simply moving raw materials, components and assemblies around a factory. They can also count, weigh, sort and feed workstations... and they can have a positive impact on quality and health & safety. ... » Read More

07/05/2014 Climate change: on the horns of a dilemma Seldom does a single study on a solitary branch of science elicit global comment, transcending culture, politics, language, industry – indeed, society in general. » Read More

02/05/2014 First of Jan IOSH chief Jan Chmiel speaks exclusively to Max Gosney about the dawn of a new era of clipboard-light health and safety and why it demands more enlightened manufacturing managers » Read More

02/05/2014 “I thought ‘this is it’– I was bleeding at a phenomenal rate” Paul Mahoney had his arm torn off while attending a machine breakdown. He describes the accident scene and his mission to stamp out a laissez-faire safety culture. » Read More

01/05/2014 Staying safe Safety and Health Expo, which has moved from the NEC to the ExCeL centre in London, is set to be the biggest yet. Brian Tinham previews the highlights » Read More

01/05/2014 Essential guide to...LOLER The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) are designed to protect employees using lifting equipment such as cranes and hoists, but they can also make a significant contribution to productivity, says Ian Vallely » Read More

30/04/2014 Efficiency drive Modern electric motors and variable speed drives are receiving more attention from factory and plant managers, particularly as the rules mandate higher efficiency choices. Brian Tinham examines the issues » Read More

30/04/2014 Spinning a yarn Maintenance outsourcing is steeped in myths around cost, convenience and levels of commitment. Max Gosney meets two innovative manufacturers to discover the home truths » Read More

21/03/2014 Secrets of success Although computerised maintenance management systems can deliver a significant boost to maintenance efficiency and beyond, that's not always the case. Brian Tinham looks at what goes wrong and how to avoid the pitfalls. » Read More

20/03/2014 Born again Instrumentation continues to evolve, offering better ways to monitor and control plant operations – and hence improve product quality and yield. » Read More

20/03/2014 Fit for purpose Keeping your people and your balance sheet healthy – that is the central challenge of occupational health and safety, as Ian Vallely explains. » Read More

19/03/2014 Power grab Managing your factory's energy usage effectively can pay real dividends in terms of money (and planet) saved, and reputation (and comfort) enhanced, says Ian Vallely » Read More

19/03/2014 Top 10 steam safety and efficiency tips With the importance of steam plant to a wide range of plants, factories and other facilities, Brian Tinham talks to Greg Sutcliffe, global segment manager at Bürkert, about getting maintenance right » Read More

27/02/2014 Material world New materials are being investigated for coal-fired power plants as their owners and operators seek to reduce emissions, using alternative fuels and carbon capture technologies. » Read More

27/02/2014 Fee for Intervention or fining for HSE income? Police, prosecutor, judge and jury. » Read More

23/02/2014 Plant and assets With the Plant & Asset Management show opening its doors early in April, Brian Tinham provides a quick guide to what operations and maintenance managers and engineers can expect at the event. » Read More

23/02/2014 Protect and survive Even though personal protective equipment (PPE) is a last resort in any health and safety strategy, it remains a crucial element. Ian Vallely presents an A to Z guide to PPE. » Read More

22/02/2014 Digital world Control valves may not be renowned for their rapid development, but actuators and positioners are continuing the transformation. » Read More

21/02/2014 There was no initial pain, just the shock Gordon Rose was crushed into a concrete wall by a reversing forklift in a factory in 1991. Max Gosney finds how he's fought back and asks why some sites are still shirking safety 23 years on. » Read More

21/02/2014 New directions The acrimonious debate over PC-based automation versus PLCs and distributed control systems is fading into obscurity. Now, the clever talk is of mobile, connected and cloud-based systems. » Read More

18/02/2014 Maintec 2014 Maintec, now in its 39th year and incorporating HAZEX, is one of the key shows for maintenance managers and engineers this year. » Read More

19/01/2014 Maintain to sustain As managers wrestle with ageing workforces, skills shortages and a perception of maintenance as non-core, Brian Tinham looks at how to change all that and get more and better out of technicians, factories and plants » Read More

19/01/2014 ‘It’s hard to believe people are so short term in their thinking’ Dirk Villé is bemused that 52% of UK manufacturing managers are still fire-fighting on compressor maintenance. The new Atlas Copco chief let's off steam with Max Gosney » Read More

18/01/2014 The 46 reasons to take falls seriously Gravity is good. It causes dispersed matter to coalesce and ensures this combined material – which includes you and me – remains intact. It is also, literally, the force of nature that keeps our feet on the ground. There are, however, ... » Read More

14/12/2013 Top 10 steps to world class Zero breakdowns and impeccable plant reliability don't have to be the preserve of those with six figure budgets. Max Gosney gets some inexpensive tips on achieving maintenance nirvana from former Nissan maintenance engineer and Sora ... » Read More