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.

09/12/2024 Comment: Academics over experience For many years now, the Test, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector has experienced challenges associated with recruitment. Finding the right person with the appropriate amount of relevant experience and the appropriate academic ... » Read More

09/12/2024 Expert support as a service for plant facilities management Ongoing services bring dedicated expertise to engineering teams of all sizes, and facilities of all shapes. » Read More

05/12/2024 Towering achievement The only way to the top of the Elizabeth Tower (home to Big Ben) was up 334 narrow, ancient steps from street level. The installation of two lifts as part of a major restoration project has proved transformational. Brian Wall investigates » Read More

05/12/2024 Noise protection Machinery manufacturers are legally required to provide information about the noise emissions if machines exceed certain levels. Darren Hugheston-Roberts, senior manager for digital & industry solutions at TÜV SÜD – a leading expert in ... » Read More

05/12/2024 Enhancing efficiency Tom Austin-Morgan looks at some of the ways in which warehouses can be run more efficiently in a modern climate, where working at peak speed while delivering value is imperative » Read More

05/12/2024 Delivering efficiency Sustainable and energy-efficient technologies are what every industry is looking for. An opportunity lies in delivering HVAC efficiency with permanent magnet motors, according to drive systems firm Nidec Drives » Read More

07/11/2024 Final rusting place Tackling the costly issue of corrosion is an ongoing headache for plant managers in many industries. Louise Davis meets the specialists at a coatings expert whose aim is to empower the industry in its efforts to conquer corrosion » Read More

07/11/2024 GAP analysis With the industry facing a chronic shortage of skilled facilities engineers, the areas of talent attraction, training and upskilling have never been more important. Brian Wall checks out the current state of play and what solutions or ... » Read More

07/11/2024 Small but mighty Components such as bearings, belts and fans are no less critical to engineering operations than the giant bits of equipment they keep running. And innovation here is continuous: Louise Davis finds out what’s new in moving parts » Read More

07/11/2024 A centre of sustainability A novel sensor system has been developed to help data centres optimise the energy efficiency and sustainability of their operations. Anu Kätkä, product manager at measurement technology company Vaisala describes the technology, which has ... » Read More

07/11/2024 Comment: Community and congratulations It was a pleasure, a couple of months ago, to provide the keynote speech at the SOE event “Navigating Engineering” at the SOE offices in London. The event followed on from the “Pathways to Progress” initiative designed to provide guidance ... » Read More

07/11/2024 Proper preparation In the world of production, time is money and maximising efficiency is key. Tom Austin-Morgan looks at the best ways to undergo plant upgrades and minimising downtime when making repairs to essential equipment in the workplace » Read More

07/11/2024 Stay in control In industrial facilities, electric motors drive everything from conveyor belts to fans and compressors. Now, with the cost of energy rising, manufacturers are trying to find new ways to reduce consumption – and motors are in the spotlight. ... » Read More

07/11/2024 Take the time to transition Solving critical infrastructure challenges to meet the ever-changing industrial landscape requires a great deal of effort. However, the payoff of all of the hard work is an operation that ensures longevity, availability and reliability ... » Read More

07/11/2024 Made to measure In PCB manufacturing, smart displacement sensors can be used in pick-and-place machines, where they perform reliable quality inspection at micrometer accuracies. The sensors can also inspect the position of integrated components and ... » Read More

02/10/2024 A show of strength The predictive maintenance market is bulking up at a rapid rate, driven by the rising adoption of increasingly powerful emerging technologies. Brian Wall investigates the sector and finds out what the future might hold » Read More

02/10/2024 A strong defence Protecting itself is a big part of any major nation’s economy and attracts a huge focus, especially when the global geopolitical landscape appears unstable. Tom Austin-Morgan reports on some of the major challenges facing manufacturing in ... » Read More

02/10/2024 Shortage solutions Ben Warren, team leader of SPP Pumps’ Future Cell training programme, looks at how considered and well-invested training programmes can overcome the skills shortage and provide engineering opportunities to both apprentices and existing ... » Read More

02/10/2024 Comment: Embracing the AI revolution In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into engineering education stands as a monumental shift. This transformation is not merely about adopting new tools; it’s about ... » Read More

02/10/2024 In the driving seat An expert in variable frequency drives explains to Louise Davis how future-focused solutions can help industry tackle its sustainability issues while also saving considerable costs » Read More

02/10/2024 An industrial revolution A pioneer of electrification explains to Louise Davis why a sea change in mindset surrounding industrial processes is necessary if manufacturers are to continue providing the world with the products and materials it needs » Read More

02/10/2024 Protect and survive ?Protect and survive Stewart Robinson MIET MInstMC, principal engineer and functional safety expert at TÜV SÜD, asks, ‘how electrically safe is your machinery?’ » Read More

02/10/2024 Through thick and thin Many process steps are required before semiconductor chips can be made from silicon. First, slices around one millimetre thick are cut from a crystalline silicon ingot, which are then lapped. This gives them the desired thickness and ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Footprints in the land In the global quest to achieve net zero targets, industry is increasingly under pressure to calculate and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Matteo Simonetto, sustainability services manager at TÜV SÜD, discusses how this processes can ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Hot stuff As innovation in the solar energy sector continues apace, Louise Davis asks an expert in molten salt pumps to shine a light on how this technology is proving to be an enabling solution at a first of its kind project » Read More