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.

08/08/2011 Necessary evil Poorly managed MRO stores are costing plants serious money. Brian Tinham examines systems, methods, equipment and services that claim to help plant engineers work smarter and faster » Read More

07/06/2011 Picture perfect With so much publicity surrounding infrared cameras as very effective plant condition monitoring tools, Steed Webzell looks at the substance behind the hype » Read More

07/04/2011 Managing maintenance Computerised maintenance management systems – CMMS – are helping to breathe new life into enlightened plant operations, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

07/04/2011 Risk-based changes Get it right and the savings can be huge, but get it wrong and the cost is unimaginable. Brian Tinham talks to John Wintle about changing best practice for hazardous plant inspections » 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

09/02/2011 Chains need the right lubricant Tests by leaf chain manufacturer FB Chain reveal that the choice of lubricant, not just the frequency of greasing, has a dramatic impact on forklift truck chain performance. » Read More

09/02/2011 No Crystal Ball A wide range of tools and techniques is now available to ease the task of predicting when and what maintenance is required on machines and plant units. Steed Webzell reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Safe maintenance Following publication of Lord Young's report into improving health and safety, plant engineers need to get back to basics. Brian Tinham talks to Geoff Cox, HSE's head of manufacturing » Read More

09/12/2010 Airs and graces With costs under perpetual scrutiny, Steed Webzell assesses compressed air systems and how best to please both plant engineers and managers » Read More

09/12/2010 Oiling the wheels Lubricants and lubrication systems re advancing more than many realise – for static and mobile plant. Dr Tom Shelley reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Making it better Renovating or refurbishing major plant can be more complicated than some realise. Dr Tom Shelley walks us through some the key processes and issues » Read More

09/12/2010 Brammer makes cross-channel dash to keep Crown Bevcan running Manufacturing group Crown Bevcan reports that Brammer came to its rescue recently, transporting equipment via taxi from France to its Leicester plant overnight, to keep production running. » 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

06/10/2010 Scratching the surface Extending the life and applicability of materials and components through the application of coatings is an old engineering trick. Steed Webzell provides an update on the latest technologies and processes » Read More

10/08/2010 Don’t be misled by IP ratings, warns Schneider Electric A lack of understanding of IP ratings is leading to inappropriate specification of enclosures, according to Schneider Electric. » Read More

10/08/2010 Energy Event Energy efficiency and energy saving are right up there on plant engineers' agendas. Brian Wall previews the forthcoming Energy Event 2010 conference and exhibition » 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

10/08/2010 Comfort zone Protecting plant employees with state-of-the-art equipment and clothing is both the goal and bane of plant management, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

07/06/2010 Spherical plain bearings smooth Spanish solar generation plant More than 1,000 high precision plain bearing rod ends are enabling the efficient operation of the Andasol solar power plants in southern Spain, currently the largest parabolic trough solar power station in the world. » Read More

07/06/2010 Heraeus infrared helps Eurobond handle cold steel Carbon medium wave infra-red equipment is helping Eurobond to improve its adhesive processes for structural panel manufacture in cold weather. » Read More

07/06/2010 The heat is on There is a world of difference between art, black art and science, but thermal cameras are ready to move from the former to the latter. Brian Tinham explains » Read More

01/03/2010 Pump prediction Modern non-invasive motor condition monitoring equipment is proving its worth at Wessex Water. Brian Tinham talks to operational services manager Dave Durkin » Read More

01/03/2010 Game,set and match The famous Wimbledon sliding roof is often held up as a triumph of engineering ingenuity. Brian Tinham takes us behind the scenes, with its designers » Read More

01/03/2010 Fixing maintenance Properly implemented, maintenance management systems can help transform the efficiency of plant engineering departments. Steed Webzell reports on what makes best practice » Read More

01/03/2010 Corus opens doors on high power gearboxes Hybrid gearboxes, installed to open and close fume capture doors at Corus steelworks' iron desulphurisation plant in Scunthorpe, have proved themselves strong, durable and capable of very high torque, despite low energy input. » Read More