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.

15/10/2013 Water features Existing and emerging water treatment technologies are changing the game for plants and factories in more ways than many may realise. » Read More

15/10/2013 So much potential, yet so little uptake Where sustainability is concerned, the art of the possible is accelerating far faster than the reality of adoption. » Read More

26/09/2013 Do you feel lucky? As CS Forrester's Lord Hornblower said: "The lucky man is he who knows how much to leave to chance." That's true of making maintenance sustainable, too. » Read More

26/09/2013 Balance of power Most plants would benefit from a structured energy review of their plant operations. Steed Webzell examines the latest methodology and equipment able to transform existing plants. » Read More

16/09/2013 Power packs Fluid power is not renowned for its revolutionary developments, but it is changing. Brian Tinham goes behind the scenes and busts some myths » Read More

16/09/2013 Full head of steam Although most plant's steam systems could be doing better, in terms of energy efficiency, methodology is as important as technology. » Read More

31/08/2013 The pressure is on In straitened times, it makes sense to look for efficiency and cost-cutting opportunities – and that applies to pumps and fans, too. » Read More

27/08/2013 Risk ramped up Loading bays – or goods in and out areas – are one of the most common places for workplace accidents. » Read More

14/08/2013 TLC: the ultimate maintenance methodology Put down the guidebooks on TPM, RCM and the like, and get better at showing shopfloor skills some tender, loving care if you want to deliver world-class maintenance. » Read More

07/08/2013 Taking control Control valves – and specifically their actuator and positioner systems – went digital years ago. However, as further developments improve their power, much of industry is missing some tricks, writes Brian Tinham » Read More

07/08/2013 The new broom As the Society of Operations Engineers – home to BES, IPlantE and IRTE – welcomes its new chief executive, Brian Tinham finds out more about the man and his ambitions for this important professional engineering institution » Read More

07/08/2013 Getting it wrong When two companies issue statements in as many weeks suggesting that engineers and managers are missing the point on appropriate plant choices, it's time to take notice. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

07/08/2013 Engineering the future on shoulders of giants Should we have been surprised that the inaugural Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering went to the founders of the world-wide web? Yes, their innovations rank right up there among the giants, changing the lives of billions globally... But ... » Read More

05/08/2013 Intrinsically safe? In the rush to protect electrical equipment from causing fires in explosive atmospheres, it's easy to forget the basics of risk assessment, as enshrined in DSEAR. » Read More

05/08/2013 Knowledge is power The Energy Event returns to Birmingham in September with a packed educational programme. » Read More

05/06/2013 Accidents waiting to happen Common sense it may be, but all too often the use of machine guards falls way short of the legal standards. Brian Tinham talks to TÜV SÜD about problems and solutions. » Read More

28/05/2013 Carbon capture There's more to energy saving than switching the shopfloor onto switching off. Annie Gregory finds out how the best are doing it. » Read More

20/05/2013 Tough choices Moving bulk product around the factory and warehouse is no mean feat without the most robust conveyors. » Read More

14/05/2013 Camera ready? With the plethora of thermal imaging cameras available today, users could be forgiven for believing training was a non-issue. As Brian Tinham explains, nothing could be further from the truth. » Read More

30/04/2013 Aspiration nation or more of the same? So how was it for you? Did last month's speech by the Chancellor strike you as a budget fit for an 'aspiration nation'? Or did it leave you worried that, at least as far as wealth-generating manufacturing industry is concerned, it was ... » Read More

24/04/2013 In or out? Can outsourcing give you anything more than you can get from your own maintenance department? » Read More

15/04/2013 Full steam ahead Often overlooked – and that includes in terms of maintenance – steam generation and distribution systems are ripe for some serious energy and cost saving. » Read More

15/04/2013 Sense of purpose It's instructive to find that, even in 2013, new sensing technologies are being developed that can transform industrial measurements. » Read More

15/04/2013 Education and innovation The forthcoming Safety & Health Expo promises to deliver a broad educational content, as well as a showcase of the latest products and services. We look ahead to the event and find out what visitors can expect to see and hear. » Read More

10/04/2013 Check, act, plan, do Deming's 'plan, do, check, act' is best revised as 'check, act, plan, do' for maintenance professionals. Brian Tinham looks at the role of CMMS/EAM systems in making that happen. » Read More