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.

03/09/2024 Waste not, want less The ‘War on Waste’ mantra is gathering pace, with more and more efforts emerging to encourage recycling and to think about improving sustainability. Not only is ‘going green’ better for the environment, it can also bring a shine to the ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Convey the message Speaking with experts in bulk materials conveying solutions, Louise Davis discovers how this is one sector where the old adage “you get what you pay for” is especially true » Read More

03/09/2024 Comment: The need for clarity around carbon I have recently been reading SOE’s review of the UK Government’s 2020 white paper: ‘Energy white paper: powering our net zero future’. The SOE’s assessment stated that while the white paper set out actions that supported reductions of ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Physical performance In an era increasingly dominated by digital technologies, the question of whether physical testing remains relevant in engineering is more pertinent than ever. Tom Austin-Morgan ponders whether the advent of advanced simulation tools, AI, ... » Read More

03/09/2024 Motion solution precision Innovation in motion control precision has the potential to expand the array of surgical procedures that can be performed by robots. Meanwhile, for current robotic surgical applications, enhancing control precision means improved patient ... » Read More

28/08/2024 Drive forwards Nord Drive Systems believes that there are numerous advantages of decentralised drive solutions with controlled frequency inverters. The company has recently written a white paper on the subject, which is summarised below » Read More

08/08/2024 In the shadows Implementing a total cyber defence strategy to repel the onslaught of attacks now targeting organisations across the industry is no longer a choice, but an absolute. Brian Wall investigates the ways and means business are battling the ... » Read More

08/08/2024 PPE for hydraulics: got it covered? A host of PPE advances and developments will help hydraulic system operators and maintenance teams reach new levels of safety and protection, says Steed Webzell » Read More

08/08/2024 All-star cast Casting is an integral part of the production process, which has evolved over time thanks to advances in technology materials and processes. Semi-solid casting is part of that evolution and brings with it a number of advantages for ... » Read More

08/08/2024 Production efficiency gains Tom Austin-Morgan reports on some of the innovative decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures companies are making to their production facilities » Read More

08/08/2024 Comment: Time to take the plunge For some time now, the SOE has been exploring ways to increase membership and promote professional registration. The personal benefits of membership and registration are well known, but often it is the employer who absorbs the costs, so ... » Read More

08/08/2024 Consumption considerations Have you developed an energy consumption hierarchy? If not, David Sing, managing director, metering and data at Energy Assets, suggests it’s a good time to start thinking about it – and shows you how » Read More

08/08/2024 Education for all Automation is set to transform the world of work, requiring people to learn completely new skill sets as new roles are created. Policymakers, educators and industry all need to support workers to make the transition » Read More

08/08/2024 Future-proofed facilities When it comes to upgrading hardware or machinery, the total cost of ownership figure holds a great deal more importance than the purchase price. Oliver Selby, from Fanuc UK, looks at the factors involved in TCO » Read More

08/08/2024 Supply chain spotlight Following a major survey, Eriks has published its maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) supply chain report in association with the Institute of Engineering & Technology. The new document highlights several critical insights and areas ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Chemical clean-up Carbon reduction is a common theme across industry today, with everyone working hard to move in the right direction. Tom Austin-Morgan reports on the key issues facing the chemical processing industry’s push for decarbonisation to achieve ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Managing obsolescence How can plants plan for and tackle obsolescence more efficiently? Louise Davis gets some expert insight on managing this inevitable threat that faces industrial operators and plant engineers all over the world » Read More

02/07/2024 MRO developments Maintenance, repair and overhaul is BIG business. The global aircraft component MRO market size alone is expected to hit US$25.7 billion by 2028. Given there are countless other revenue streams across industry, Brian Wall takes a closer ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Personalised solutions A wave of personalisation has swept across the consumer marketplace in recent years. Julian Ware, UK and Ireland sales manager for ABB robotics, explains how robotic automation can support manufacturers to meet this accelerating trend » Read More

02/07/2024 Comment: Set the right standards There is a growing need to understand which members of the SOE are involved in the generation of national and international standards, with the aim of establishing – through the joint sector chairs – a working standards panel. The panel ... » Read More

02/07/2024 The push towards efficiency In the field of industrial automation, achieving success depends on optimising efficiency, adaptability and ease of use. Tom Austin-Morgan looks at some examples of efficient pump and valve technologies » Read More

02/07/2024 The influence of Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 is a major paradigm shift as the convergence of enterprise IT and operational technology enables systems and devices to exchange and interpret shared data on a global scale. Darren Hugheston-Roberts looks at the dynamic ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Maritime matrix Where do ports land on their Industry 4.0 maturity index? Michael Larner, research director, ABI Research, investigates » Read More

10/06/2024 Let automation bear the load Autonomous forklifts are gaining interest due to their efficiency and ability to reduce labour costs, operator error and potential accidents » Read More

10/06/2024 Smarter robots Industrial robot manufacturers are turning to advanced artificial intelligence to improve manufacturing efficiency, flexibility, and safety. » Read More