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.

14/12/2013 Challenges of biomass With so many organisations building biomass plants and/or converting existing units to biomass fuel, Alan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Robson examine some of issues being seen by the insurance industry. » Read More

14/12/2013 Time for tribology As the UK strives to rebalance its economy in favour of manufacturing, Brian Tinham talks to Dr Peter Jost about the still unfulfilled roles for tribological science and technology. » Read More

14/12/2013 Future fuels? Materials handling is a sweet spot for hydrogen fuel cells, according to one expert. They've been introduced in the US, with proven benefits, so why haven't they taken off in the UK? Laura Cork reports » Read More

14/12/2013 Taking the credit To the excessively cautious, buying on credit is like getting drunk – the buzz comes immediately and gives you a lift, but the hangover that follows can be painfully debilitating. Ian Vallely dishes out the paracetamol » Read More

14/12/2013 Crystal ball gazing Techniques such as vibration monitoring, acoustic emissions sensing and thermography are more accessible than ever, but what should you use where? » Read More

10/12/2013 Engineering revival needs new partnership When it comes to boosting engineering skills, it's been a busy couple of months for the Coalition. » Read More

29/11/2013 Cream of the crop Former BFA award winner Barfoots of Botley is generating 13,000MwH of green energy a year from vegetable waste thanks to a pair of combined heat and power units fuelled by a massive anaerobic digestion plant. Ian Vallely reports » Read More

19/10/2013 The golden oldies WM's in-depth survey takes the temperature of the UK's maintenance operations. Annie Gregory reports on the refusal to give in to the challenges of ageing equipment and a shrinking skills base. » Read More

18/10/2013 Sustainable production Sustainable manufacturing is great in principle but much harder to achieve in practice. Brian Tinham looks at what engineers and managers can do today to make a difference. » Read More

15/10/2013 Water features Existing and emerging water treatment technologies are changing the game for plants and factories in more ways than many may realise. » Read More

15/10/2013 So much potential, yet so little uptake Where sustainability is concerned, the art of the possible is accelerating far faster than the reality of adoption. » Read More

26/09/2013 Do you feel lucky? As CS Forrester's Lord Hornblower said: "The lucky man is he who knows how much to leave to chance." That's true of making maintenance sustainable, too. » Read More

26/09/2013 Balance of power Most plants would benefit from a structured energy review of their plant operations. Steed Webzell examines the latest methodology and equipment able to transform existing plants. » Read More

16/09/2013 Power packs Fluid power is not renowned for its revolutionary developments, but it is changing. Brian Tinham goes behind the scenes and busts some myths » Read More

16/09/2013 Full head of steam Although most plant's steam systems could be doing better, in terms of energy efficiency, methodology is as important as technology. » Read More

31/08/2013 The pressure is on In straitened times, it makes sense to look for efficiency and cost-cutting opportunities – and that applies to pumps and fans, too. » Read More

27/08/2013 Risk ramped up Loading bays – or goods in and out areas – are one of the most common places for workplace accidents. » Read More

14/08/2013 TLC: the ultimate maintenance methodology Put down the guidebooks on TPM, RCM and the like, and get better at showing shopfloor skills some tender, loving care if you want to deliver world-class maintenance. » Read More

07/08/2013 Taking control Control valves – and specifically their actuator and positioner systems – went digital years ago. However, as further developments improve their power, much of industry is missing some tricks, writes Brian Tinham » Read More

07/08/2013 The new broom As the Society of Operations Engineers – home to BES, IPlantE and IRTE – welcomes its new chief executive, Brian Tinham finds out more about the man and his ambitions for this important professional engineering institution » Read More

07/08/2013 Getting it wrong When two companies issue statements in as many weeks suggesting that engineers and managers are missing the point on appropriate plant choices, it's time to take notice. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

07/08/2013 Engineering the future on shoulders of giants Should we have been surprised that the inaugural Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering went to the founders of the world-wide web? Yes, their innovations rank right up there among the giants, changing the lives of billions globally... But ... » Read More

05/08/2013 Intrinsically safe? In the rush to protect electrical equipment from causing fires in explosive atmospheres, it's easy to forget the basics of risk assessment, as enshrined in DSEAR. » Read More

05/08/2013 Knowledge is power The Energy Event returns to Birmingham in September with a packed educational programme. » Read More

05/06/2013 Accidents waiting to happen Common sense it may be, but all too often the use of machine guards falls way short of the legal standards. Brian Tinham talks to TÜV SÜD about problems and solutions. » Read More