Maintenance, Repair and Operations 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.

12/08/2021 Inspection shutdowns in UK AGR nuclear power plants UK nuclear power plants including Heysham 1, Torness and Hinkley Point B have recently undergone shutdowns that have included inspections for cracks in their graphite core. Such work has gained a new sense of urgency in the past few years, ... » Read More

12/08/2021 A guide to employment tribunals Tina Chander, head of the employment law team at Wright Hassall, guides businesses and individuals through the employment tribunal process » Read More

30/07/2021 Circular economy from fuels to fashion Various technologies are appearing that are enabling new products to be made from waste products, ranging from clothing to biofuels By Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

30/07/2021 Hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel The ‘hydrogen economy’ refers to the way hydrogen — the lightest and simplest of elements — could become a central pillar of a carbon-neutral society that still allows the economy to thrive. In principle, hydrogen could provide energy for ... » Read More

29/07/2021 Are you using the correct spill kit? Spill kits are essential when dealing with workplace spills and leaks, particularly those involving dangerous substances and contaminants, but workers need to make sure they are using the right spill kit for the job. First Mats talks ... » Read More

29/07/2021 Eaton guide to selecting hydraulic tube for marine applications When it comes to specifying a hydraulic piping connection system for marine applications there are a number of critical factors to keep in mind. Firstly, the system must carry approval in accordance with the relevant agency specification. ... » Read More

28/07/2021 How to check the calibration and linearity of gas analysers Calibration is the process of establishing the relationship between the output of a measurement and a known input. In common with most measuring instruments, gas analysers require calibration following installation, and then at regular ... » Read More

22/07/2021 How to implement maintenance systems Philipp Wallner, industry manager, industrial automation & machinery at MathWorks (developer of mathematical computing software tools including MATLAB and Simulink), offers his advice » Read More

21/07/2021 Four steps to better electrical infrastructure resilience Manufacturing sites depend on a reliable, failsafe power supply. Too many businesses use outdated and potentially unsafe electrical assets for their critical power needs, putting people, operations and their bottom line at risk. When it ... » Read More

15/07/2021 Singing from the same hymn sheet Will Dalrymple speaks with Hywel Davies, technical director of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, about a new group that brings together eight built-environment trade bodies » Read More

15/07/2021 Clearing the air Poorly-ventilated indoor spaces have been highlighted as potential COVID infection hotspots by health authorities. With people heading back to offices as lockdown eases, what has been learned from hospitals that will ensure employee ... » Read More

09/07/2021 Achieving return on investment with a mixing process When mixing liquids, pastes and powders during an industrial process, manufacturers may identify issues that lead them to consider alternative methods. Common areas for improvement include variance due to a manual process, difficulty ... » Read More

08/07/2021 The cleaning power of pigging Build-up in pipelines can cause slowdowns, and even cracks or flaws that sometimes prove catastrophic. Pipeline pigging has established itself as a powerful ally in helping to overcome such issues. By Brian Wall » Read More

08/07/2021 An overview of torque tool calibration Torque tools provide vital assurance that bolts are the right tightness. Their readings, however, are not foolproof, and can drift out of tolerance over time. The engineering solution – torque tool recalibration – has become much more ... » Read More

30/06/2021 Inside a new BAE Systems digital factory demonstrator With a big future project in mind, BAE Systems has built a demonstration facility to develop innovative manufacturing tools to improve its production efficiency over the next decade. Where it leads, others may follow » Read More

30/06/2021 A guide to automated guided vehicles Although not new, the autonomous wheeled robots that pick and carry boxes and pallets are becoming ever more popular in improving productivity. These are known as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). By Jody ... » Read More

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

25/06/2021 Choosing the right valve for efficient steam temperature control From beer brewing to cheese production, temperature control using steam is utilised across various applications in the food and beverage sector. The control valve is key, and precise specification is vital to optimise product quality and ... » Read More

17/06/2021 Avoid forking out on costly repairs Every forklift requires care from both a safety and operational perspective, but failing to make the right calls can prove expensive » Read More

17/06/2021 SPMTs: trailers that lead the way Deployed linked together in ranks and files, SPMTs can meet the scale of huge structural components, unlike other types of construction equipment. That means that they are the solution to shift and lift just about anything large, awkward ... » Read More

10/06/2021 Lift-off for no-logo diagnostics A greater number of third parties are now accessing data for lift diagnostics, ending reliance on OEM maintenance contracts. By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/06/2021 Railway retrofit An emissions treatment system adapted from commercial vehicles provides a possible way to improve air quality in the rail network. By James Thorpe, senior sales manager, Eminox » Read More

28/05/2021 Sewer heat recovery There is a hidden and rarely used energy source in domestic buildings that has the potential to bring balance to the perceived uncertainty of the future energy grid mix. Now, wastewater heat recovery systems (WWHRS) are being included in ... » Read More

28/05/2021 Domestic gas boiler control developments A Dutch association of boiler makers promotes a brand-agnostic communication standard between boilers and their controllers that reflects more efficient control methods then are currently in common use in the UK » Read More

27/05/2021 Broaderband: 5G trials point the way to future of industrial connectivity Trials of wireless data networks aim to prove out that its promised data rates live up to expectations in the real world. By extension, they explore how, if they do, industry will change as a result. By Toby Clark » Read More