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.

02/07/2024 Managing obsolescence How can plants plan for and tackle obsolescence more efficiently? Louise Davis gets some expert insight on managing this inevitable threat that faces industrial operators and plant engineers all over the world » Read More

02/07/2024 MRO developments Maintenance, repair and overhaul is BIG business. The global aircraft component MRO market size alone is expected to hit US$25.7 billion by 2028. Given there are countless other revenue streams across industry, Brian Wall takes a closer ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Personalised solutions A wave of personalisation has swept across the consumer marketplace in recent years. Julian Ware, UK and Ireland sales manager for ABB robotics, explains how robotic automation can support manufacturers to meet this accelerating trend » Read More

02/07/2024 Comment: Set the right standards There is a growing need to understand which members of the SOE are involved in the generation of national and international standards, with the aim of establishing – through the joint sector chairs – a working standards panel. The panel ... » Read More

02/07/2024 The push towards efficiency In the field of industrial automation, achieving success depends on optimising efficiency, adaptability and ease of use. Tom Austin-Morgan looks at some examples of efficient pump and valve technologies » Read More

02/07/2024 The influence of Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 is a major paradigm shift as the convergence of enterprise IT and operational technology enables systems and devices to exchange and interpret shared data on a global scale. Darren Hugheston-Roberts looks at the dynamic ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Maritime matrix Where do ports land on their Industry 4.0 maturity index? Michael Larner, research director, ABI Research, investigates » Read More

10/06/2024 Let automation bear the load Autonomous forklifts are gaining interest due to their efficiency and ability to reduce labour costs, operator error and potential accidents » Read More

10/06/2024 Smarter robots Industrial robot manufacturers are turning to advanced artificial intelligence to improve manufacturing efficiency, flexibility, and safety. » Read More

10/06/2024 Motion sensor solutions Bigger is almost certainly always better when it comes to heat pumps. In other words, performance, efficiency and cost advantages can all be achieved when going larger, says Jody Muelaner » Read More

10/06/2024 Fine mines Sustainability, employee protection and operational insights are the drivers of a cutting-edge electrification upgrade at BHP BMA’s Goonyella Riverside Mine in Queensland » Read More

10/06/2024 Comment: A call for greater Engineering Council registration Everyone, particularly employers and governments, would benefit from proactively ensuring that all engineers in positions of engineering responsibility are Engineering Council (EC) registered. But does society in general know and ... » Read More

10/06/2024 All about cleaning In industrial operations, cleanliness isn’t merely a priority; it’s an indispensable requirement. Tom Austin-Morgan reports on the latest offerings » Read More

10/06/2024 Machinery in mind The risk of damage to machinery from fire should be taken seriously in all industrial settings. The measures in place to prevent it include important procedural and operational requirements that should be closely noted. Darren ... » Read More

10/06/2024 Identifying faults on vessels Identifying the predicted status of individual faults on a marine vessel – up to three months into the future – means highly specific maintenance plans can be drawn up » Read More

10/06/2024 Sustainability on the seas Faced - like pretty much every industrial discipline – with the need to cut emissions and increase its environmental awareness, the world of watercraft is looking for solutions. One option is the used of multiphase modelling and ... » Read More

08/05/2024 Production disruption A number of disruptive trends look set to shape the upstream oil and gas business by 2030. The industry is at an inflection point – with growth of unconventional reservoirs and digitalisation of the oil field fuelling it » Read More

08/05/2024 Well-oiled machines With many businesses wondering if their lubrication maintenance plan is up to scratch – or even fit for purpose – what does the perfect programme look like? Tom Austin-Morgan investigates » Read More

08/05/2024 Size is everything for heat pumps Bigger is almost certainly always better when it comes to heat pumps. In other words, performance, efficiency and cost advantages can all be achieved when going larger, says Jody Muelaner » Read More

08/05/2024 Compressor costs Purchasing an industrial air compressor is among the most crucial decisions for a business, but it also represents a significant capital expenditure. This is because compressed air is an essential utility for businesses along with water, ... » Read More

08/05/2024 Comment: Raise the profile of professional engineering There has been a lot of talk over the past months about the benefits of becoming professionally registered as a practicing engineer. Quite rightly, gaining registration titles allows an engineer to enjoy greater mobility and career ... » Read More

08/05/2024 HVAC challenges A white paper from the Advanced Services Group looks at some of the current challenges facing the HVAC industry, from the energy crisis to stakeholder education to decarbonisation » Read More

08/05/2024 Working towards Net Zero targets Following calls for the oil and gas industry to start seriously contributing to Net Zero targets at COP28, what are organisations doing to work towards these goals? » Read More

08/05/2024 Mitigating risks via engineering services In today’s complex and highly regulated business environment, compliance with regulatory standards is of paramount importance. Engineering services are very much in the game when it comes to helping organisations navigate these challenges » Read More

08/05/2024 All about machinery The EU’s Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 came into effect on 29 June 2023. This regulation replaces the previous Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and impacts manufacturers, importers and distributors in the machinery industry. Darren ... » Read More