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.

24/11/2022 When fasteners go wrong Taking machinery apart is a routine that every engineer knows – and often enjoys. But what if you can’t take it apart – if fasteners get stuck in place, or (worse) pull out of their fixings? » Read More


04/07/2019 Spare the headache Operators and maintenance engineers will have a variety of tools, stock and spare components available to hand. Storing them correctly can save everyone a major headache » Read More


02/11/2018 Making obsolescence obsolete 3D printing offers the opportunity to make parts when they are needed – anywhere in the world – provided a digital model is available. Might this provide a way to duplicate parts that are no longer available to buy? » Read More


28/10/2017 Industrial vending – vote or veto Industrial vending machines can be used to stock a range of items and tools, but would they work on your site? Adam Offord explores the options » Read More