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.

08/04/2025 Sensor sensibility As plants become better connected via increasingly sophisticated networks of systems conducting critical monitoring activities, Louise Davis discovers what is new from the sensors specialists » 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

05/12/2023 Measuring low liquid volumes via Coriolis sensors To optimise measurement and control accuracy for low liquid volumes, Coriolis sensors are often the prime technology choice. Providing a true mass flow reading, these devices are also highly repeatable. Coriolis technology is suited to ... » Read More

31/05/2023 ION sensors for hazardous vapours Businesses that handle hazardous vapours have a duty of care to protect workers from overexposure to harmful gases. ION Science contends that its sensors serve as an alternative to the unproven and low-cost alternatives that could increase ... » Read More

16/05/2023 Reducing supply chain problems The impact of supply chain issues on industry services has highlighted the importance of having an effective enterprise asset management (EAM) solution in place, writes Alan Cambridge, CEO of enterprise asset management specialist Peacock ... » Read More

29/03/2023 Measuring liquid levels Liquid level measurement sensors are being installed throughout the sewage network to reduce stormwater sewer discharges, reports Jody Muelaner » Read More

29/03/2023 Optical sensors and ambient light Baumer explains why ambient light has such a significant influence on optical sensors. It contends that its sensor toolbox provides the benefits of ambient light immunity, eliminating many error sources in production » Read More

20/03/2023 Sensing: smell management A Paris waste-to-energy plant improves odour mitigation with smart sensors and environmental intelligence provided by Ellona » Read More

09/01/2023 Bearing useful news A new approach to condition monitoring relies on computers making their own connections on bearing health from large datasets. By Toby Clark » Read More

19/04/2022 Inside vibration sensors Condition monitoring of mechanical equipment – anything with rotating, oscillating or otherwise moving components – relies on vibration measurement. The sensors that pick up vibration have their own requirements. By Toby Clark » Read More

14/10/2021 Surveying the whole scene Laser scanning technology has evolved beyond its original use as a high-end surveying tool and is now being used for various jobs in industrial settings. Tom Austin-Morgan reports » Read More

20/05/2021 Reading the warning signs Flow sensors for measuring the progress of liquids in process applications are vital – but they are definitely not ‘fit-and-forget’. By Brian Wall » Read More

23/02/2021 My weir runneth over An advanced computing system aims to improve utilities’ ability to detect blockages that might otherwise lead to sewage pollution incidents, reports Toby Clark » Read More

19/02/2021 The dual-channel principle Through a new approach to sensor information transfer, manufacturer Leuze explains how modern digital connectivity is changing the nature of electronics control. » Read More

21/01/2021 The uses of ultrasound inspection Ultrasound is especially good at early detection of bearing faults, lubricant condition, leaks, discharge in electrical systems and steam trap monitoring. Unlike vibration analysis, it generally doesn’t require detailed knowledge of the ... » Read More

21/01/2021 Discharging your duties - chemical effluent sensors Chemical sensors can highlight potential risks with discharged water and whether environmental standards are being met. How do these technologies work in practice and what are their limitations? By Brian Wall » Read More

08/06/2020 Safe operations One of the many hazards to people posed by industrial environments is forklift trucks. To improve pedestrian safety, digital solutions have come to the fore » Read More

13/04/2020 Sensing a new era Rapid development of the electronics and manufacturing sectors, along with rising environmental concerns, are driving up demand for passive infrared sensors » Read More

23/03/2020 Hidden gems Vibration sensors can monitor the health of different assets, including motors, pumps, compressors and fans. These small, low-cost devices can be a godsend to operators by highlighting potential catastrophic failure via data » Read More

03/06/2019 Doing the dirty Recent research has suggested that more than four in five Brits want robots to ‘do the dirty work’. Luckily, such technology is starting to become a reality, able to take over different tasks in various sectors of industry » Read More

04/04/2019 They came… They thaw… They conquered Engineers and scientists have taken industry standard equipment to Antarctica and used a hot water drill to break through the ice. From there, a string of instruments has been used to understand ice flow and history » Read More

04/04/2019 Hydrophonical Water supply utility Anglian Water has begun installing thousands of leak sensors across its network, as well as trialling a new kind of pressure sensor to stop a big cause of leaks; transient surges » Read More

04/04/2019 A nuclear approach to seismic sensing This article discusses the latest trends in seismic monitoring and protection systems for nuclear plants, including technologies adopted and current best practice driven by enhanced risk management demands » Read More

05/02/2019 Low-cost VOC sensors Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) perform many vital roles as fuels, solvents, feedstock and sterilants, to name a few. Monitoring their concentration is essential because of the potential health and safety risk that they pose. Alternative ... » Read More

04/01/2019 Sensing Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 promises improved performance and enhanced maintenance activities, but many companies are often unsure of where to start. Mike Lomax, electrification manager at Bosch Rexroth, spoke at the Maintec show at the NEC in November ... » Read More