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.

01/06/2020 A national effort The UK, like many parts of the world, has been constrained by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. However, in such a time of need, UK industry has stepped up once again and continues to play a key role in the fight back » Read More

01/06/2020 Lifting (global) standards The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association published the ninth edition of its guide to lifting safety last year. Who is it aimed at and what has changed? » Read More

25/05/2020 Bouncing back from Buncefield Almost 15 years on from the Buncefield disaster, Operations Engineer looks back at what went wrong, why and the steps taken to try to ensure such an incident never happens again » Read More

25/05/2020 Cold comfort Air conditioning is not the only way to provide a comfortable indoor environment. And some of the alternatives have benefits of their own » Read More

18/05/2020 Electric motors shake-up A radical overhaul of the regulation governing electric motors is forecast to bring big cost savings for industry, along with a significant reduction in environmental impact » Read More

18/05/2020 Controlling the risks The Health and Safety Executive recently reminded companies to protect the health of workers by controlling the risks from welding fume. What measures can be put in place? » Read More

11/05/2020 Don’t slip up on lubrication Operatives and engineers must have the relevant knowledge and skills to perform lubrication. That is why comprehensive training is so vital » Read More

11/05/2020 Heave-ho Heave compensation systems are used to reduce the influence of waves upon offshore operations. We explore how these systems work and the benefits that they bring » Read More

04/05/2020 A bug’s life The world has been gripped by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. Are buildings friends or enemies in the war on the spread of coronavirus? » Read More

04/05/2020 Plastic fantastic? At the one-day Engineering Solutions Live show in March, Matthew Jones, senior applications engineer for northeast EMEA and wider EMEA at Stratasys, described the benefits that additive manufacturing can bring to industry in terms of ... » Read More

28/04/2020 Let software take the strain OE considers the extent of the application of CMMS (computerised maintenance management system) software, and what gains can be achieved » Read More

28/04/2020 Opinion: Compressor care in times of crisis This opinion article comes from Alexander Pavlov (pictured), general manager at Atlas Copco Compressors UK & Ireland, and discusses the importance of not overlooking industrial compressors during Covid-19. » Read More

20/04/2020 Bearing the brunt Seismic isolation bearings decouple structures, such as buildings and bridges, from the ground. This allows such structures to behave more flexibly during seismic activity » Read More

20/04/2020 Ride along The complex task of designing and specifying mobile plant can be simplified by using an online configurator. These systems vary in sophistication and detail, but ultimately allow users to design and customise to individual need. OE takes a ... » Read More

13/04/2020 Pop culture AG Barr’s factory in Milton Keynes, UK, has worked with consultancy firm MCP to provide shopfloor staff with basic maintenance skills. Enter the ECO warriors » Read More

13/04/2020 Sensing a new era Rapid development of the electronics and manufacturing sectors, along with rising environmental concerns, are driving up demand for passive infrared sensors » Read More

06/04/2020 Looking through the training window Companies across industry are starting to introduce virtual reality and augmented reality training into the workplace. This is providing operators and engineers with the opportunity to hone their skills and learn relevant safety protocols ... » Read More

06/04/2020 Sight sensing Motion amplification is a powerful technique for visualising vibration and other motion in mechanical systems, which can lead to rapid diagnosis of potential problems » Read More

30/03/2020 The cobots have landed The UK has been lagging behind much of Europe when it comes to embracing collaborative robot (cobot) technology. But that is rapidly changing as the productivity gains such investment can bring become clear » Read More

30/03/2020 Handy advice Irritant contact dermatitis is an eczema that can be triggered by a range of substances used across industry. This article focuses on employee hands and looks at what measures can be put in place to prevent it » Read More

23/03/2020 Hidden gems Vibration sensors can monitor the health of different assets, including motors, pumps, compressors and fans. These small, low-cost devices can be a godsend to operators by highlighting potential catastrophic failure via data » Read More

16/03/2020 Manchester makeover Atlas Copco has recently upgraded compressed air and vacuum systems for Manchester-based brick maker Wienerberger, resulting in energy cost savings, along with reduced CO2 emissions and production downtime » Read More

10/03/2020 Safe cleaning with gas A series of vehicle explosions has prompted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to issue guidance for mobile oven cleaning businesses that use LPG to heat dip tanks. While much of the advisory may be considered common sense, raising ... » Read More

04/03/2020 Pump it up A heat pump, in simple terms, is a device that transfers heat from a source to another location. With the rising popularity of renewable energy sources, they have become effective alternatives to fossil fuels and can even reduce utility ... » Read More

04/03/2020 Comment: Uncharted waters The headline figure from the recently released Subsea UK Business Activity Review for the fiscal year 2018/19 was that the UK underwater engineering industry is set to recruit nearly 9,000 people in the next three years, suggesting ... » Read More