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.

03/12/2020 A new coat: alternatives to hexavalent chromium Zinc and chrome coatings have been widely used to protect against corrosion an improve surface properties since the industrial revolution. However, these coatings have historically used hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic to both ... » Read More

26/11/2020 Isolation and tag-out procedures Equipment that is offline for maintenance must be properly isolated from power, water, air and other sources to protect the safety of the people working on it, as well as the integrity of the process and equipment. But what are the ... » Read More

26/11/2020 A guide to UKCA marking From 1 January 2021, UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) marking will replace CE marking as a requirement for goods entering the Great Britain market, including England, Scotland and Wales. This will affect all product manufacturers. Finch ... » Read More

19/11/2020 Raising the standard Next year, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway along Cardigan Bay, Wales celebrates its 125th anniversary carrying tourists up to the top of Constitution Hill 97m above sea level. A new control system will keep it running safety for the ... » Read More

19/11/2020 The potential of servitisation for manufacturers Most businesses will say that the digital revolution is making them more customer-centric, but there is a delivery gap between companies’ beliefs about their customer service, and customers’ opinions. This is how connecting with the ... » Read More

12/11/2020 Repair and the circular economy An EU research project aims to lead the way in the reuse and recycling of industrial equipment. By Toby Clark » Read More

12/11/2020 Inefficient pump: fix or replace? Weighing the factors involved in this decision involves considering the wider process and supply chain context. By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/11/2020 Comment: The case for time-sensitive networking, by CLPA Europe general manager ... As automation plant lifecycles typically last many years, it is essential to know what technologies show the most promise of longevity, rapid return on investment (ROI) and clear technical benefits. » Read More

05/11/2020 Solar lighting for industrial buildings - UPDATED 26 January 2020 With unpowered light systems gaining popularity in the domestic market, is there scope for production environments to enjoy the same advantages? By Steed Webzell » Read More

05/11/2020 Retrofitting motion controls in commercial building lighting Retrofitting workplace spaces with motion-controlled lighting conserves power and helps slash energy costs. But can you keep the existing lights or is it a matter of ‘rip and replace’? By Brian Wall » Read More

27/10/2020 Reviewing the new MOD maintenance contracts for mobile plant While the MOD buys special-purpose vehicles for warfare, such as tanks, the civil and transport works that create its supply chain tend to use commercial off-the-shelf industrial machinery. Three different contracts for the maintenance of ... » Read More

27/10/2020 Master dashboard A collaborative, non-profit initiative to serve internet-of-things data across any number of devices and assets, is now gearing up for the next phase of rollout. According to its founders, its development is seen as the natural evolution ... » Read More

22/10/2020 Robotank Remotely-piloted autonomous drone aircraft have changed the face of warfare in the last decade or so, by removing human pilots altogether. Now, a new generation of autonomous vehicles are being developed that do the donkey work of ground ... » Read More

22/10/2020 Should military aircraft technicians be licenced to a common European standard? Defence cuts are nothing new. The UK’s armed forces’ role changes as frequently as the Guard. But now the UK government has announced it doesn’t want its military aircraft technicians licenced to a common European standard. What are its ... » Read More

14/10/2020 Safety all the way through How can owners and safety regulators be confident that a plant won't pose a danger to staff or the local community when something untoward occurs: a blackout, a lightning strike, human error. This is the realm of functional safety. By Toby ... » Read More

14/10/2020 Are digital twins double trouble? Why should you bother making a digital twin, and how do you go about creating one anyway? By Jody Muelaner » Read More

08/10/2020 Drive up installation success Selecting a drive based on specification alone does not guarantee its successful installation. Indeed, many potential pitfalls await the unwary » Read More

08/10/2020 Deep-dive drives Intelligent drives are coming to operational equipment. Smart and networked controls can help to transform the landscape of engineers who have previously only dealt with local control of motors and equipment. » Read More

01/10/2020 Making the right choice for industrial pH measurement In a wide range of industrial applications, accurate measurement of pH values is vital to ensure regulatory compliance and end product quality. The importance of effective pH measurement, and how to achieve it, is explained below By ... » Read More

01/10/2020 Tracking asset standards What do railway tracks and brand reputation have in common? Both are defined as assets within the ISO 55000 family of standards, driving asset management to be a multi-functional discipline. Laura Cork reports » Read More

24/09/2020 Portable industrial vacuums: powering up Industrial vacuums pack a powerful punch. They will clear up dry and wet waste at factory scale, yet are small enough to be wheeled around a site on a cart or by forklift. By Brian Wall » Read More

24/09/2020 Use the force: magnetic separators Magnetic separators are often installed in arduous conditions. How do they work, and what are their maintenance requirements? By Adam Offord » Read More

17/09/2020 Testing of safety systems A new publication from the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association offers practical guidance on some of the problems which have to be dealt with when testing real process plant equipment. Here, the organisation introduces the ... » Read More

17/09/2020 Water leaks and the ‘jaws of death’ Water demand in the UK will exceed supply in just 25 years, the head of the Environment Agency has warned – with part of the blame falling on leaking pipework. What can be done to avert this? By Brian Wall » Read More

10/09/2020 Brewery enters uncharted waters A new water recycling plant at the Fredericia, Denmark brewery of Carlsberg will reuse 90% of its process water and reduce overall site consumption by 10%. But how? By Steed Webzell » Read More