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.

02/11/2023 All about bearings As an integral part of many operations, the demand for stronger, more durable and longer-lasting bearings is on the rise – and, for many applications, conventional steel ball bearings often cannot compare to their hybrid counterparts » Read More

02/11/2023 Automation demand is rising More than 1,200 exhibitors from around the world are expected to attend the 32nd edition of the SPS, Smart Production Solutions, covering 16 exhibition halls and a total exhibition space of approximately 120,000m2. » Read More

02/11/2023 Exploring thermal fluid analysis Regular thermal fluid sampling and analysis enables businesses to proactively monitor fluid condition and intervene before issues impact production » Read More

12/10/2023 Safety fears over RAAC Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete has come under intense scrutiny since late 2018, following a school roof collapse. How do you identify it and what is the best means of remediation, asks Brian Wall » Read More

12/10/2023 All about the asset management plan With assets so pivotal to the success of almost all organisations, there are many merits associated with creating and maintaining a strategic asset management plan » Read More

12/10/2023 Decarbonising heat: where are we? Businesses who use gas should start asking questions now about what options they will have for heat supply in future » Read More

12/10/2023 Reducing harmonics from AC drives Generally speaking, a harmonic is a sinusoidal wave with a frequency that is a whole number multiple of the fundamental frequency of a periodic signal. In an electrical system, a harmonic is voltage or current disturbance with a sinusoidal ... » Read More

12/10/2023 Comment: View from the top For well over 10 years now, I have supported the Engineering Council at membership and registration level of several professional engineering institutions, as a volunteer. I have observed and reported registration activities and how they ... » Read More

12/10/2023 Dealing with RAAC In comments posted last month, the Institution of Structural Engineers provided further information about looking for, and dealing with a type of bubbly concrete: RAAC » Read More

12/10/2023 Building ahead To comply with the Building Safety Act, engineers will have to prove their competence and assure the safety of the buildings they construct. A recent discussion between two technical directors, CABE’s (Chartered Association of Building ... » Read More

12/10/2023 What’s going on with Aveva Industrial software provider Aveva launched a new version of its industrial predictive monitoring software earlier this year, which promises new features and benefits. It builds on some 20 years of development, and is helping industrial ... » Read More

12/10/2023 Why is security so important for industrial control systems? Eaton describes the steps users must take to protect industrial controls and automation components from cyberattacks » Read More

12/10/2023 Optimising maintenance Preventative plant maintenance is proven to reduce down time and whole life costs. But can it be made more efficient? Richard Warley, CEO of BigChange, explains how job management platforms can help » Read More

12/10/2023 Hypoid gearboxes Hypoid gearboxes have become increasingly popular, providing exceptional performance in the transfer of power and torque between components, writes supplier Apex Dynamics UK. Recent research by industrial automation market specialist ... » Read More

31/08/2023 Real-time digital twins Germany’s International Centre for Networked Adaptive Production (ICNAP) recently explored some of the technical issues of using digital twins in real time » Read More

31/08/2023 Rooftop solar power opportunity There is now national attention on an unusual area of industrial real estate. High out of the way of trees and other blocking buildings, rooftops are said to be an ideal place to mount solar panels for renewable energy generation, reports ... » Read More

31/08/2023 A guide to machine safety It is a common assumption among machinery owners that if their equipment has a CE or UKCA mark then no further action on their part is required to ensure machinery safety. However, it is vital that employers who provide machinery to ... » Read More

31/08/2023 AI sorts waste When it comes to sorting waste on a conveyor ready for recycling operations, AI-based robotic technologies are setting the tone for a step-change in this challenging process, reports Steed Webzell » Read More

31/08/2023 Climbing the ladder I believe that education is life-long. I am professionally registered to IEng. But I am now considering starting a master’s degree. Now that I work in site engineering team leadership, I am considering extending my competence. » Read More

31/08/2023 Parts storage: the vital links Establishing efficient ways to store small components at small and large scales – from bins, racks to vertical conveyors – is the gateway to achieving the highest levels of productivity… and profit, reports Brian Wall » Read More

31/08/2023 Toasters similar to open feedback loop Production management software brand Planeus compares an open feedback loop in an industrial process to a toaster: given inputs of electrical current running through wires, it will cook bread for a fixed duration. A timer dial allows the ... » Read More

31/08/2023 All about ESOS For large companies, there is a six-month reprieve for filing the next (Phase 3) Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) report. Although a clear deadline is in place, 5 June 2024, other details remain unclear as the underpinning ... » Read More

31/08/2023 Analysing gas Gas analysers are used to measure the chemical composition or some other property of a gas. Typically gas analysers are configured to detect specific chemical elements or compounds in a gas flow. This is most commonly achieved using ... » Read More

31/08/2023 The potential of water reuse Rising concerns over water scarcity and environmental impacts mean industries are increasingly recognising the importance of water reuse as a critical strategy for sustainable resource management. Tom Austin-Morgan reports » Read More

10/08/2023 All about energy Digitalisation and distributed energy allows even the smallest companies to have a two-way relationship with their energy supplier and grid connection » Read More