Test and Measurement 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.

30/04/2018 Meeting energy-efficiency expectations Using a digital twin can help manage energy efficiency across sectors, as Mark Venables reveals. » Read More

18/10/2016 On the meter In the ongoing drive for business to increase efficiency, understanding exactly what energy is being used where is at the heart of any solution, as Mark Venables discovers » Read More

16/12/2015 ECS renews sluice automation equipment for Environment Agency As the Environment Agency (EA) continues its programme to upgrade water control structures on the River Lee, it contracted ECS Engineering Services to replace the actuators and gearboxes on the sluice gates at Rammey Marsh. » Read More

09/12/2014 Wired for sense Although electrochemical sensors remain the bread and butter for gas detection, alternative technologies have come a long way, with the oil and gas sector leading the charge. » Read More

09/12/2014 How do you shape up? A quarter of factory management teams lack a formal maintenance strategy, while a third are oblivious to the costs of downtime, according to research. Time for a wake-up call, says Max Gosney » Read More

03/12/2014 Lay waste to poor treatment There are many ways to clean up performance of water and effluent treatment units in industrial plants. Steed Webzell takes a look at some of them » Read More

19/05/2014 Heat of the moment Thermal cameras have grown in popularity as fast as prices have fallen. But, while their inspection power is immense, there are issues for the unwary, warns Brian Tinham » Read More

07/05/2014 Climate change: on the horns of a dilemma Seldom does a single study on a solitary branch of science elicit global comment, transcending culture, politics, language, industry – indeed, society in general. » Read More

20/03/2014 Born again Instrumentation continues to evolve, offering better ways to monitor and control plant operations – and hence improve product quality and yield. » 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

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

11/02/2013 It’s good to talk Machine-to-machine communication has seen a rapid development in recent years. Brian Tinham examines some of the changing technologies and their implications. » Read More

11/02/2013 Maintenance expo With Maintec 2013 just a few short weeks away, Brian Tinham previews this show, specifically designed for maintenance technicians and engineering managers » Read More

06/12/2012 Liquid assets Water and waste treatment plants are among the oldest around anywhere, but don't imagine they're bereft of developments. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

05/10/2012 Thwaites green upgrade is picture of efficiency Yellow dump truck manufacturer Thwaites' paint line has been refurbished – and improved its efficiency and environmental sustainability on the way. » Read More

05/10/2012 So much more Intelligent instruments have been with us for years, but although many more plants are installing them, they're still missing some important tricks, says Brian Tinham » Read More

05/10/2012 Buyer’s market Try before you buy can make a lot of sense in all sorts of situations. But there are plenty of others where the shrewd option might well be plant hire. Brian Wall reports » Read More

05/10/2012 Good acoustics? It's a poor workman that blames his tools, goes the proverb. But on machinery condition monitoring, it's been understandable. However, all of that is about to change, writes Brian Tinham » Read More

01/08/2012 Energy efficiency With energy-related issues topping most plant engineers' agendas, Laura Cork looks ahead to the forthcoming Energy Event, which promises a packed educational programme » Read More

01/08/2012 Energy harvesting transmitters may go on forever Energy harvesting technology from ABB is enabling speciality chemicals manufacturer Robinson Brothers to monitor temperature remotely without a power supply to the transmitter. » Read More

01/08/2012 Vibration monitors to guard Indian hovercrafts’ drivetrains Southampton-based Griffon Hoverwork is buying condition monitoring systems for 12 of its Griffon 8000TD hovercrafts, ordered by the Indian Coast Guard. » Read More

01/08/2012 Wireless improves Barking Power efficiency Wireless improves Barking Power efficiency » Read More

08/06/2012 Camera call Infrared cameras are getting a lot of air time, as among the most valuable tools for technicians concerned with plant and process condition monitoring. Brian Tinham reviews developments and issues » Read More

08/06/2012 Coriolis flowmeters help GF reduce filling times and improve accuracy GF is reporting reduced filling times, improved accuracy and repeatability and tighter filling tolerances on its filling machines since installing the latest Micro Motion FMT filling mass transmitter, from Emerson Process Management. » Read More

05/04/2012 Laser focus Energy from waste plants are shining a light on the power of laser-based, real-time gas analyser instrumentation. Brian Tinham talks to Bob Lane of Siemens » Read More