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.

03/12/2020 A new coat: alternatives to hexavalent chromium Zinc and chrome coatings have been widely used to protect against corrosion an improve surface properties since the industrial revolution. However, these coatings have historically used hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic to both ... » Read More

19/11/2020 The potential of servitisation for manufacturers Most businesses will say that the digital revolution is making them more customer-centric, but there is a delivery gap between companies’ beliefs about their customer service, and customers’ opinions. This is how connecting with the ... » Read More

12/11/2020 Repair and the circular economy An EU research project aims to lead the way in the reuse and recycling of industrial equipment. By Toby Clark » Read More

12/11/2020 Inefficient pump: fix or replace? Weighing the factors involved in this decision involves considering the wider process and supply chain context. By Steed Webzell » Read More

27/10/2020 Master dashboard A collaborative, non-profit initiative to serve internet-of-things data across any number of devices and assets, is now gearing up for the next phase of rollout. According to its founders, its development is seen as the natural evolution ... » Read More

22/10/2020 Should military aircraft technicians be licenced to a common European standard? Defence cuts are nothing new. The UK’s armed forces’ role changes as frequently as the Guard. But now the UK government has announced it doesn’t want its military aircraft technicians licenced to a common European standard. What are its ... » Read More

14/10/2020 Are digital twins double trouble? Why should you bother making a digital twin, and how do you go about creating one anyway? By Jody Muelaner » Read More

01/10/2020 Tracking asset standards What do railway tracks and brand reputation have in common? Both are defined as assets within the ISO 55000 family of standards, driving asset management to be a multi-functional discipline. Laura Cork reports » Read More

24/09/2020 Portable industrial vacuums: powering up Industrial vacuums pack a powerful punch. They will clear up dry and wet waste at factory scale, yet are small enough to be wheeled around a site on a cart or by forklift. By Brian Wall » Read More

10/09/2020 Brewery enters uncharted waters A new water recycling plant at the Fredericia, Denmark brewery of Carlsberg will reuse 90% of its process water and reduce overall site consumption by 10%. But how? By Steed Webzell » Read More

02/09/2020 Winded: new approaches to offshore wind turbine maintenance Not only are offshore wind turbines a long way from shore, their rotating machinery is housed tens of metres above the surface of the water. The financial incentive to minimise the need to perform inspections and carry out maintenance has ... » Read More

17/08/2020 Suit up The International Space Station is a modular space station in the low Earth orbit and just like industrial, commercial and domestic facilities across our planet, it typically needs to be maintained, repaired and upgraded by its residents. ... » Read More

03/08/2020 Watch your distance As UK industry tries to get back to some form of working normality, social distancing measures are still to be encouraged. Adam Offord finds guidance and products to help with social distancing in an industrial setting? » Read More

03/08/2020 Fever screening The Coronavirus epidemic has created a worldwide demand for infrared cameras as fever screening tools. Explaining how to be sure that the camera chosen can actually do the job it is supposed to do is Glenn Wedgbrow, business development ... » Read More

27/07/2020 Object deconstruction Operations Engineer explores the basic principles of the reverse engineering technique and how it can be carried out » Read More

20/07/2020 Flowing smoothly in the field Operations Engineer explores what mobile workforce management software is and the benefits that it can bring to the field » Read More

29/06/2020 Preventing infection The Covid-19 pandemic has cast human hygiene into the spotlight with repeated messages of ‘wash your hands’. The vital importance of this is clear when it can directly impact on lives, but even at normal times, good hygiene should be the ... » Read More

15/06/2020 Cutting effects Testing, inspection and compliance services provider Socotec discusses the health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and how best to protect against its harmful effects » Read More

08/06/2020 Best practice shines through To ensure operators are not at risk, how often should a LEV (local exhaust ventilation) system be cleaned and maintained, and by who? » Read More

01/06/2020 A national effort The UK, like many parts of the world, has been constrained by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. However, in such a time of need, UK industry has stepped up once again and continues to play a key role in the fight back » Read More

11/05/2020 Don’t slip up on lubrication Operatives and engineers must have the relevant knowledge and skills to perform lubrication. That is why comprehensive training is so vital » Read More

04/05/2020 A bug’s life The world has been gripped by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. Are buildings friends or enemies in the war on the spread of coronavirus? » Read More

28/04/2020 Let software take the strain OE considers the extent of the application of CMMS (computerised maintenance management system) software, and what gains can be achieved » Read More

20/04/2020 Bearing the brunt Seismic isolation bearings decouple structures, such as buildings and bridges, from the ground. This allows such structures to behave more flexibly during seismic activity » Read More

13/04/2020 Pop culture AG Barr’s factory in Milton Keynes, UK, has worked with consultancy firm MCP to provide shopfloor staff with basic maintenance skills. Enter the ECO warriors » Read More