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.

06/12/2004 Motors - Evolution in design, revolution in efficiency Managing your motors for efficiency and reliability can be a headache at the best of times. And with discounted energy for industry perhaps set to disappear, against a backdrop of emissions regulations, then clearly it's not becoming any ... » Read More

06/12/2004 Hot water systems - Better tanks give quick and clean hot water Hot water tanks made by a small German company use a patented system to ensure that they deliver hot water soon after heat has been applied to the water. This makes them especially suited to systems fuelled by solar energy. » Read More

01/10/2004 Pumps & Valves - Process Machinery - a troubleshooting guide Every piece of process machinery is purchased to be installed, operated, and play its part in making a profit for the plant operator. When a problem arises with a piece of equipment that causes concern to the operator and starts to affect ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Process Heating - Steaming into first place There are many viable ways to provide heat for processing: these can be divided into direct and indirect systems. A direct heating system is one where heat is released directly into the product - for example a gas flame heating a small ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Lifiting and Handling - The LOLER lowdown Wherever there is lifting equipment there will be safety issues. In December 1998 the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) came into force to help reduce the risk and occurrence of accidents through the continuing ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Filtration - Graded bed catches bugs more efficiently By very carefully selecting the layers of material in a graded bed filter, it is said to be possible to catch 99.7% of bacteria and other micro-organisms down to 0.2 µm in diameter. A newly constructed filter, which is being piloted for ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Condition Monitoring - Bearing down on stoppages A machine tool spindle condition monitoring unit (CMU) at car manufacturer BMW's plant at Steyr, Austria, has reduced the number of bearing failures from 21 per year to zero. The Multilog CMU, supplied by bearings manufacturer SKF, is an ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Compressed Air Systems - Technology gives a clearer picture Standard air compressors are often linked in banks to accommodate varying base loads throughout the working week, with a speed-regulated compressor making up the module to cope with peak and variable loads. And modular makes sense. It is ... » Read More

01/08/2004 What lies beneath Temperature changes, static requirements, liquids, impact, abrasion and chemicals can all affect a floor's performance. Add static electricity to the mix and the result can be potentially explosive. » Read More

01/03/2004 Variable speed evolution The most significant advances in AC variable speed drive technology are behind us. Over a decade ago, the shift from bipolar transistors to insulated gate bipolar transistors heralded a quantum leap in efficiency. » Read More

01/03/2004 Personal Development - Register to Advance As the complexity of systems, machinery and equipment continues to grow, it is important for plant technicians, engineers and managers to keep up to speed. In a climate of increasing demands and rapidly changing roles they need to develop ... » Read More

01/03/2004 Legionnaires' disease - are you protected? As this issue of Plant Engineer goes to press, a design services manager for Barrow Borough Council is facing seven charges of manslaughter over an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in August 2002. A further 140 people were infected by the ... » Read More

01/03/2004 Keeping it simple saves cash Factory services like compressed air and steam systems are classic examples of functions that are only noticed when they go wrong. Nowadays, like - thankfully - modern cars, these systems can be relied upon to work consistently. But - also ... » Read More

01/03/2004 Inhaling fumes should not damage your health A new laboratory in a leading research institute in the UK has just been dedicated to improving the welding working environment and making it safer. » Read More

01/03/2004 Face to face - A healthy attitude When Maureen Kingman began her career as a factory inspector for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) 25 years ago, the health and safety picture in factories was quite different from that seen today. "Back then, there were some machines ... » Read More

01/03/2004 CIWM SHOW PREVIEW The UK's leading waste management event will see over 300 leading manufacturers and service providers promoting the latest products, technologies and concepts. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)'s annual exhibition and ... » Read More

01/03/2004 Chemicals Legislation - A regulatory route map There is an abundance of regulatory requirements for the safe use of chemicals within factories, warehouses and other facilities, most important of which are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002. ... » Read More