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.

18/03/2025 Positive vibrations Chris Ryan, a senior technical expert in plant reliability techniques, explains to Louise Davis how vibration analysis is a hugely useful monitoring tool – but that its value depends on the availability of professionally trained personnel » Read More

20/03/2023 AI and vibration analysis When a vibration level goes out of tolerance, automated condition monitoring software can notify maintenance staff of an issue. While a skilled vibration analyst would typically be required to diagnose the actual cause of the fault to fix ... » Read More

14/03/2022 Condition monitoring for wind turbines In any application, condition monitoring makes maintenance more efficient by preventing catastrophic failures and unplanned downtime, enabling efficient scheduling of maintenance operations with parts ordered in advance, and performing ... » Read More

19/01/2022 Rise of the plug-and-play CM system ‘Plug and play’ condition monitoring offerings over the past year claim to do away with the need for expert analysis (at a certain low level, anyway), thanks to automation, cloud computing and standardised hardware. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

20/05/2021 Machine monitoring enters neutral territory With most manufacturers running a shop of mixed machine tools, the need for vendor-agnostic condition monitoring and production analytics is clear. By Steed Webzell » 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

07/01/2021 Condition monitoring and vibration analysis best practice guide Vibration analysis is not condition monitoring, and condition monitoring is not vibration analysis. Their similarities and differences, their uses and technicalities are explored here. By Colin Pickett, independent consultant, formerly ... » Read More

06/04/2020 Sight sensing Motion amplification is a powerful technique for visualising vibration and other motion in mechanical systems, which can lead to rapid diagnosis of potential problems » Read More

08/01/2020 Shaking things up Some analysis tools promise to automate the interpretation of vibration signals to extend the job of collecting data to unskilled trades, instead of just trained experts. OE explores how they work » Read More

07/03/2019 Getting the shakes Vibration signals can identify the condition of a machine’s balance, lubrication, bearings and gears » Read More

04/01/2019 Exposed to vibration Workers that frequently use hand-held power tools can become exposed to hand-arm vibration. However, this potentially disabling problem can be reduced and eliminated through different ways of working » 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 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

09/02/2011 Maintec 2011 preview This year's tightly focused maintenance technologies event is aimed at engineers, technicians and managers specialising in plant assets. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

06/10/2010 Predicting problems Using condition monitoring technologies to anticipate a requirement for critical plant maintenance isn't new, but novel systems are improving the potential, reports Dr Tom Shelley » Read More

10/08/2010 Looking for trouble Diagnosing problems in rotating machinery well before anything has a chance to break makes a whole lot of sense. Dr Tom Shelley reports on the range of technological making a difference » Read More

01/01/2010 Seeing is preventing An ability to anticipate mechanical breakdowns before they impact plant performance can be invaluable in minimising unplanned downtime. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

01/12/2009 Naval sultans The Royal Navy turns out some of the smartest, most able plant engineers on the planet. Brian Tinham takes a look at HMS Sultan and finds out the secrets of success » Read More

01/06/2009 Better crystal balls With a breakdown in plant sometimes so catastrophic (failures of lubrication pumps have resulted in shutdowns of more than a year before new parts could be made), it is astonishing that so few plant engineers make use of increasingly ... » Read More

01/12/2008 Plant life matters Although the cost of components - such as rolling element bearings, rotors and fasteners - in hydraulic pumps is usually very small, compared to the list price of the pumps themselves, the cost of stopped production and any consequential ... » Read More

01/02/2008 Global warning For some engineers, questions about how much money could have been saved if a major failure had been predicted, trigger thoughts about the cost of expensive process interruptions and downtime. For others, it's all about avoiding ... » Read More

01/02/2007 Health check-ups reap big rewards In the age of lean, condition monitoring of capital equipment is an obvious aid to efficient operation, as opposed to waiting for something to break down. As Chris Haines, Rockwell director of customer support and maintenance UK and ... » Read More

01/10/2004 Condition Monitoring - Bearing down on stoppages A machine tool spindle condition monitoring unit (CMU) at car manufacturer BMW's plant at Steyr, Austria, has reduced the number of bearing failures from 21 per year to zero. The Multilog CMU, supplied by bearings manufacturer SKF, is an ... » Read More