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White Papers on Automation, Process Control & Instrumentation Topics

The following white papers on topics, technologies, solutions and platforms relating to industrial automation, process control, and instrumentation are written and contributed by various industry professionals and suppliers and are considered premium content on Automation.com. You may also browse our Automation Portals for these and more white papers, orgainized by topic. Automation.com is not responsible for any statements contained within these white papers.

		Ethernet I/O – Technical Considerations - 01/25/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By SoftPLC The number of vendors offering Ethernet I/O products is continually growing. However, not all products are designed for all applications. This paper discusses some of the important considerations when selecting Ethernet I/O products.

		SCADA Security for Remote Site Operations and Remote Terminal Units - 01/24/12 By CSE Semaphore Today, technology exists to design and implement security measures within remote terminal units (RTUs) and SCADA networks. This white paper discusses those measures, all of which have been put into practice, that will meet emerging industry requirements.

		Spring Connection Terminals offer Cost Savings on the Floor and in the Field - 01/19/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By John Bisson, Mencom Spring connection terminals offer ease of use and cost savings. The spring clamp termination eliminates concerns of loosening or disconnecting often associated with classic screw-type connections.

		Enclosures for hazardous areas: understanding the differences - 01/19/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By Gary Johnson, COOPER Crouse-Hinds UK When it comes to specifying enclosures for hazardous area electrical applications, engineers must ensure they fully understand IP protection ratings, as well as the implications of modifying an Exd or Exe enclosure prior to or after installation.

		How to Choose the Right DAQ Hardware for Your Measurement System - 01/12/12 Automation.com, January 2011 By National Instruments With many data acquisition (DAQ) devices to choose from, it can be difficult to select the right one for your application. This white paper outlines five questions that you should ask when selecting your hardware.

		EtherNet/IP: When to go Wireless - 01/12/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By Justin Shade and Bob Licata, Phoenix Contact Because wireless networks have inherent latency and bandwidth limitations that wired networks don’t have, there are several considerations to make when designing a wireless EtherNet/IP network.

		Successfully Executing a System Integration Project - 01/12/12 By Beamex Paper, January 2012 Describes how Beamex’s CMX calibration management software can be used for the calibration of process instrumentation as part of a CMMS.

		Signal Conditioning: Getting the most for your money - 12/21/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By Acromag This paper reviews signal conditioning features such as accuracy, adjustability, isolation, surge withstand capability, RFI/EMI protection, packaging, and repairability.

		Improving Safety in Oil and Gas Production - 12/21/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By United Electric Controls This white paper examines the changing oil and gas production safety environment, explores solutions, and outlines the advantagesthat can result.

		Simplifying Plant Safety Instrumentation - 12/21/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By United Electric Controls For point safety applications, a properly designed and implemented digital switch with self-diagnostics can be an important part of the solution.

		Safety in Drives - 11/21/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Mikko Ristolaine, ABB Offerings from safe stopping to more elaborate monitoring functions are being introduced and are heralding new opportunities in machine safety.

		The Better Way to Choose a Process Automation Solution - 11/21/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By ABB Describes the thinking that went into developing the ABB Process Automation Decision Tool.

		The Effective Operator - 11/21/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Hongyu Pei Breivold, et al, ABB Here’s how ABB's System 800xA helps improve operator effectiveness through improved situational awareness and better handling of abnormal conditions.

		The Changing Energy Landscape: A How-To Guide - 11/17/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By SMC Machine builders, manufacturers, and all compressed air users can decrease energy costs by following the steps outlined here.

		Real Time Control Over the Web - 11/17/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Steve Jahnke, Galixsys Networks Devices make use of the Web to send and receive data, usually from a cloud service or backend server. Most of the inherent latency and processing problems of the web can be removed if XML document passing is not used as the means to transmit generic commands.

		Building Distributed Monitoring and Control Systems With LabVIEW - 11/08/11 By National Instruments November 2011 This paper examines the benefits of creating distributed monitoring and control systems as well as the fundamentals of building these systems. Engineers can use the concepts presented in this paper to design reliable, high-performance systems that can easily integrate with future technologies.

		PC vs. PLC: key factors in comparing control options - 11/03/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Bosch Rexroth When deciding whether to choose a PLC or PC, analyze and compare characteristics that could differentiate the two technologies such as operation, robustness, serviceability, hardware integration, security, safety, programming and cost.

		Direct Drive Technology Improves Flexo Printing Quality and Throughput - 10/27/11 By Kollmorgen Kollmorgen expert Tom England explores the advantages of direct drive technology in the highest-quality flexographic printing machines and other applications, with respect to machine assembly, maintenance, throughput, accuracy, operational costs and more.

		How Today’s Flexible Digital Servo Drives Help OEMs Build a Better Machine, Faster - 10/27/11 By Kollmorgen Kollmorgen expert Carroll Wontrop explains how high-performance digital servo drives can improve throughput, functionality and commissioning time, then discusses selection criteria and tours Kollmorgen’s AKD™ servo drive line.

		Achieve Superior Servo Performance, Quickly, with Auto-Tuning - 10/27/11 By Kollmorgen Kollmorgen expert George Ellis explains how full-frequency auto-tuning can quickly overcome the issue of decoupling of the load’s inertia from the servo system at higher frequencies caused by compliance in transmission components.

		How to reduce downtime and raise OEE - 10/26/11 Automation.com, October 2011 One crucial area that every plant can improve on is efficiency, and one of the best measures of efficiency is OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). If you don’t know your OEE, then you don’t truly know how efficient you are. Here’s how to analyze OEE.

		Why Pay for More Than You Need? - 10/23/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Jay Becker, Dunkermotor OEMs will benefit from not specifying and purchasing more control features and functionality than their applications require. This White Paper discusses seven distinct integral control topologies to enable OEM design engineers to choose what suits their application without over-specifying.

		General Purpose Permanent Magnet Motor Drive without Speed and Position Sensor - 10/19/11 By Jun Kang, Yaskawa PM AC motors have many advantages versus induction motors including compact size, high efficiency, less weight, and high torque. A speed sensor has been one of the main obstacles that slow down the spread of PM motor drives for general-purpose applications because it is expensive and not reliable. This article describes a good solution for applications that need high-efficiency features of PM motors or high-dynamic speed control features of IPM motors even at low speeds without a speed sensor.

		Building a Business Case for Wireless - 10/19/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Apprion This white paper provides some best practices, core economic benchmarks and performance metrics to use when developing a strategy and plans for deploying wireless at a plant. It includes case study examples with proven real-world data of the positive ROI of industrial wireless application systems.

		The Future of Machines: Self-Aware Control Systems - 10/16/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Christian Fritz, National Instruments You can use sensors to create systems that are aware of their environment, perform real-time process monitoring, and know every detail about their mechanical component health. The key to solving new challenges is creating control systems that can integrate sensor data, gather information in real time, and use information from multiple sensors within high-speed control loops.

		Configuration Dependent Indexing Solutions - 10/12/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Performance Motion Devices Many assembly systems use a conveyor belt to “index” a subassembly to a designated work area. There are various ways to implement indexing and the overall complexity of the assembly process dictates the most efficient implementation.

		Distributed Modular I/O Technology Guide - 10/05/11 By Balluff The focus of this whitepaper is to inform controls engineers working for machine builders about the advantages of distributed modular I/O on an industrial network and how to select the best out-of-the-cabinet controls solution for manufacturing equipment.

		Waste Water Treatment Control - 09/30/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Hollysys Paper describes how a typical municipal waste water treatment operates - including mechanical treatment, biological and chemical treatment, sludge treatment and the instrumentation involved - and how a PLC-based control system, Profinet and Ethernet handle it all.

		Maintaining Uninterruptible Power Systems: the True Cost of UPS Ownership - 09/28/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Michael. A Stout, Falcon Electric UPS selection is so large that consumers are often misled into buying a UPS on price alone, without fully understanding what they are buying or available options. For industrial applications, users face a costly learning experience if they buy a UPS on cost alone. Here’s what you need to know about buying a UPS.

		Effective OPC Security for Control Systems - 09/26/11 September 2011 By Eric Byres and Darek Kominek By While the consequences of cyber attacks and malware are no longer in doubt, the question remains, "Exactly how can an engineer reliably secure his or her control system?" This white paper outlines a simple and cost effective answer – a security solution based on OPC technology that can be deployed in almost any industrial facility today.

		Guidelines For Industrial Ethernet Infrastructure Implementation: A Control Engineer’s Guide - 09/25/11 Automation.com, September 2011 By Carlos Rojas, Cisco, and Peter Morell, Rockwell Automation This white paper provides an overview of Ethernet technology and implementation guidelines to implement in the both control and information networking environment. It discusses the requirements and consideration in implementing a switched Ethernet architecture in industrial networking environments.

		Permanent Electrical Safety Devices Will Verify Zero Electrical Energy - 09/22/11 By Philip B Allen, Grace Engineered Products September 2011 White paper addresses questions and common concerns related to permanent electrical safety devices (PESDs) for lockout and their compliance with OSHA and the NFPA 70E.

		Machine Design Guide - 09/21/11 Automation.com, September 2011 By Christian Fritz, et al, National Instruments Faster, better, and cheaper is the name of the game for machine and device designers. This machine design guide examines the best practices and tools that successful machine designers use to make different design trade-offs, meet design challenges, and increase profit.

		The Perils of a DIY Distributed Control System - 09/21/11 Automation.com, September 2011 By Tim Sweet, Honeywell Process Solutions For certain industries, a distributed control system (DCS) provides substantially more value as the basis for automating the plant than a programmable logic controller (PLC)-based system. When PLCs and HMI software packages are integrated, the result looks a lot like a DCS. But, all is not as it seems.

		How Protected Are Your Employees from Arc Flash and Flash Fire? - 09/19/11 By AmeriPride Eight-page white paper describes how to select the appropriate protective apparel to meet OSHA and NFPA requirements to protect employees from the causes and consequences of arc flash, flash fire and industrial flame hazards.

		IR imaging for machine vision and process control - 09/19/11 Automation.com, September 2011 By Jason Styron, FLIR Covers the technology behind infrared as a form of non-visible imaging, including detector technology, camera platforms, software, software analytics, and applications. The purpose of this is to highlight the use of IR technology for conventional machine vision applications.

		Real-Time EtherNet/IP - PROFINET Technology - 08/28/11 By Advantech There have been many attempts to adapt Ethernet technology to better serve the plant floor. This paper addresses the deterministic nature of EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, two Ethernet-based protocols that have significant followings in both discrete and process automation.

		Build Versus Buy - 08/16/11 By National Instruments National Instruments presents information and data regarding some of the cost differences between building a custom solution versus using NI off-the-shelf tools. NI's Graphical System Design ‘Build vs. Buy’ Calculator shows the financial differences.

		Arc Flash & Flash Fire Protective Apparel - 07/29/11 By Ameripride This is an important resource for selecting the appropriate protective apparel to meet OSHA and NFPA requirements. From the causes and consequences of arc flash, flash fire and industrial flame hazards to the features of flame resistant garments, the white paper helps managers identify risks and the appropriate protective measures for their employees.

		Increasing the Value of Automation for Industrial Infrastructure Projects - 07/29/11 By Tim Sweet, Honeywell Process Solutions This white paper discusses the use of modern automation technology to support industrial infrastructure projects in the world’s developing regions. It describes the latest innovative strategies for automating balance-of-plant units and other supporting assets in new Greenfield facilities.

		Optimization Solution White Paper - 07/28/11 By Honeywell Advanced control and real-time optimization tools have become necessary technologies for today’s process operating companies to compete and maintain profitable operations. This white paper describes Honeywell’s layered approach to optimization.

		Powering the Smart Grid - 07/27/11 By Brian MacCleery, National Instruments Smart grid technology tackles technical challenges that limit the openness, reliability, and efficiency of energy production and distribution.

		Open-loop PM motor control technology - 07/27/11 By Jun Kang, Yaskawa Electric America Permanent Magnet (PM) motors have higher efficiency than induction motors because there are no I2R losses of the rotor. But widespread use of PM motors has been discouraged by price and requirement of a speed encoder. This paper describes open-loop PM motor control technology.

		Fluid Automation: Unsung Contributor to Plant Performance - 07/13/11 By ASCO Numatics Fluid automation systems do more than control the flow of a process liquid or compressed air. Perceptive managers know that valves and pneumatic actuators can control the flow of profit. This management brief explores how fluid automation’s speed and reliability can provide competitive economic advantages in plant operations worldwide. Learn more about improving plant economic performance.

		SCADA Security: Challenges and Solutions - 07/12/11 By Metin Ozturk and Philip Aubin, Schneider Electric This paper presents the case for improving security to SCADA systems. It examines the factors that have contributed to the growing vulnerability of control systems, and presents new standards designed to protect critical infrastructure including the use of encryption and authentication for SCADA systems.

		Torque Feedforward Deep Dive - 07/12/11 By Chuck Lewin, Performance Motion Devices Many motion applications require high accuracy both during, and at the end of, the move. Even if you are using perfectly optimized PID values to control position, the compensation loop is never perfect because it must manage the influence of a wide range of system forces.

		Pushing alarms beyond the building walls with Exele TopView - 07/06/11 Automation.com, July 2011 By Dane Overfield, Exele Information Systems White paper addresses the benefits of adding a monitoring, alarm, and notification system on top of building automation systems.

		PROFINET in process automation - 07/06/11 Automation.com, July 2011 By PI North America With over three million installed nodes, PROFINET has long since become a familiar feature of production automation and drive engineering applications. But what about the process automation sector?

		Models for MES In an Enterprise Architecture - 07/04/11 Automation.com, July 2011 By Don Fraser, Jacobs This paper describes the modeling techniques applied for the integration of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) into enterprise architecture. The MES complements the ERP system by providing essential production information in a fully integrated environment that reduces the dependence on manual data entry.

		Eight Tips for Optimal Machine Vision Lighting - 06/29/11 By Microscan Systems Proper lighting is critical to the success of a machine vision application, and should be the first consideration when setting up a system. A well planned lighting solution will result in better system performance and save time, effort, and money in the long run.

		Redundancy for OPC - 06/23/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By Robert McIlvride and Andew Thomas, Cogent Real-Time Systems What does redundancy look like in an OPC-based system? A typical scenario would have two OPC servers connected either to a single device or PLC, or possibly duplicate devices or PLCs. Those two OPC servers would then connect to some kind of OPC redundancy management software.

		The True Cost of Bearing Lubrication - 06/20/11 June 2011 By Matt Mowry, Igus In today's economy, machine and equipment manufacturers are feeling more pressure than ever to reduce costs without sacrificing machine performance, but this balancing act can be difficult to achieve. One of the main goals of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is to reduce the initial capital expense for its customers. However, OEMs often overlook a simple solution that can have a positive, long-term impact on their customers' bottom lines: the elimination of bearing lubricant.

		Improving SCADA Operations Using Wireless Instrumentation - 06/20/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By Hany Fouda, Schneider Electric Integrating wireless instrumentation with SCADA systems can drive operational efficiency and reduce deployment costs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the particular ways in which operators can tightly integrate wireless instrumentation networks with SCADA and realize the full benefits of such an integrated solution. Wireless Instrumentation

		Industrial PCs: Addressing the Top Five Challenges on the Factory Floor - 06/14/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By Phoenix Contact PC-based control systems are becoming increasingly common on the factory floor, but selecting the wrong industrial PC can lead to downtime, or even worse, lost production. By understanding the issues, a user can select the best industrial PC to meet the needs of a specific application.

		Reduce Time to Market - 06/14/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By Eaton Accelerate delivery time. Learn how next generation operator interface designs reduce development time, enable easy integration and accelerate time to market while enhancing quality and reliability.

		Fast and Easy Package Inspection - 06/07/11 By Teledyne DALSA Many industries are using 2D matrix technology to track parts along the assembly process and throughout the product life cycle. In this white paper, learn how the BOA IDR allows manufacturers to combine tracking with other inspection tasks, such as character reading and verification, to ensure all product markings match and are readable when they leave the factory floor.

		Boost Your PLC System: Advanced Analysis and Control - 06/07/11 By National Instruments In a typical PLC-based system, an input value is often compared to a set point for a binary result that turns on a light, opens a hatch, starts the conveyor, and so on. This level of functionality works well in most straightforward applications. However, more advanced control systems require additional analysis through signal processing and advanced decision making to calculate meaningful data before adjusting the output values.

		Aspect Object Technology - 06/06/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By ABB A central problem in plant operations as well as asset lifecycle management is that you need a way to keep together, manage, and have access to information about all different aspects of a great number of plant and process entities. White paper describes how the System 800xA handles it.

		Introduction to the Two-Wire Transmitter and the 4-20mA Current Loop - 05/31/11 Automation.com, June 2011 By Acromag Two-wire transmitters convert various process signals representing flow, speed, position, level, temperature, pressure, etc., to 4-20mA DC for transmitting the signal over some distance with little or no loss of signal. This paper reviews the operation of this transmission standard and its advantages.

		Defense in Cyber Space - 05/19/11 By Trent Nelson, Idaho National Laboratory, and Jeff Becker, Honeywell For industrial facilities, the increased vulnerability of the enterprise resulting from open wireless architectures, coupled with a rise in cyber attacks, has made electronic security a major concern. This whitepaper discusses the present situation regarding cyber security, beating the hackers and how to protect plants against potential cyber attacks.

		Boost Your PLC System: High-Performance Analog Measurements - 05/19/11 By National Instruments We live in an analog world and we often find ourselves in need of high-performance analog measurements as we push the limits of automation technology. Can PLCs keep up?

		Bulk Material Combustion Warning System - 05/19/11 By FLIR FLIR’s Bulk Material Combustion Warning Systems use an infrared camera to generate a thermographic image of the area being monitored. This clearly shows hot spots on a remote video or PC monitor in real time and triggers an alarm. Here’s how these systems can be designed and used.

		Expanding the Use of Smart Operator Panels - 05/14/11 Automation.com, May 2011 By Advantech One of the great benefits of smart operator panels is they can be used to provide HMI interfaces with many controllers. An operator panel can be connected to PLCs and other operator panels in a variety of useful ways, including remotely over Ethernet.

		The Basics of Temperature Measurement Using Thermocouples - 05/11/11 Automation.com, May 2011 By Acromag There are important points about thermocouples that must be understood and that will help you to make an informed selection between sensor types and avoid potential problems in your application.

		Five Critical Factors for Selecting Fieldbus Valve Manifolds - 05/11/11 Automation.com, May 2011 By Enrico De Carolis, Numatics White paper presents the five crucial factors that controls engineers, specifiers, and buyers must consider before selecting pneumatic fieldbus valve manifolds - commissioning, distribution, modularity, diagnostics, and recovery - while outlining the shortcomings of conventional approaches.

		Terminal Blocks with Push-In Technology Save Time - 05/03/11 By Gordon Busch, Phoenix Contact The newest generation of terminal blocks features push-in technology (PIT), which simplifies wiring and reduces installation time.

		Reducing Servomotor Instability - 04/19/11 By Marcus Schick, Siemens Excessive speed controller gain causes instability in a servo system. However, lowering this gain is often not a viable option, so a systematic approach should be used to determine the best remedy of the instability.

		Effective OPC Security for Control Systems - 04/19/11 By Eric Byres, Byres Security, and Darek Kominek, MatrikonOPC White Paper explains the security advantages of limiting network interfaces and protocols, and recommends using OPC as a communications standard because of its ease of use and its widespread deployment. Registration required to view paper.

		Dealing with ICONICS GENESIS SCADA Vulnerabilities - 03/29/11 By Byres Security A number of previously unknown security vulnerabilities in the ICONICS GENESIS32 and GENESIS64 products have been publically disclosed. The release of these vulnerabilities included proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code. This White Paper summarizes the current known facts about these vulnerabilities. It also provides guidance regarding a number of possible mitigations and compensating controls that operators of SCADA and ICS systems can take to protect critical operations.

		Dealing with 7-Technologies IGSS Vulnerabilities - 03/29/11 By Byres Security A number of previously unknown security vulnerabilities in the 7-Technologies Interactive Graphics SCADA System (IGSS) product have been publically disclosed. The release of these vulnerabilities included proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code. This White Paper summarizes the current known facts about these vulnerabilities. It also summarizes the actions that operators of SCADA and ICS systems can take to protect critical operations.

		Demystifying the European Machinery Directive - 03/22/11 By Andras Szende, TUV Rheinland North America The evolution of the Machinery Directive over the last decade has spawned new safety and compliance issues. This whitepaper will de-mystify and clearly articulate the requirements for manufacturers of both SEMI and Industrial Automation equipment and machinery.

		Protecting Water Industry Control and SCADA Systems from Cyber Attacks - 03/22/11 By Don Dickinson, Phoenix Contact To ensure the availability and reliability of water systems, the control systems and SCADA networks used to monitor and control plant processes must be protected against cyber attacks. It is important to understand the threats and associated risks to control systems in order to establish a plan for protecting critical systems.

		Deploying intelligent power supplies to save energy - 03/21/11 By Ken Allwine, Phoenix Contact Today’s high-end power supplies are based on advanced primary switch mode power supply (PSMPS) technology. This improves the energy conversion process to the level where many power supplies boast efficiency levels of 93 percent or better.

		Find More Space in Your Control Panel - 03/15/11 By Eaton Optimize your panel designs. Learn options for distributing loads in industrial control panels and how to safely apply them, while adhering to Underwriters Laboratories® standard 508A and National Electrical Code®, NFPA® 70-2011.

		The Benefits of Using Rigorously Tested Routines from Numerical Libraries - 03/13/11 By Numerical Algorithms Group This white paper intends to help robotics and automation engineers understand how and why to incorporate use of extensively documented numerical libraries into their application development practices.

		Machine Vision for Factory Automation - 03/08/11 By Teledyne Dalsa Many key tasks in the manufacture of products, including inspection, orientation, identification, and assembly, require the use of visual techniques. By replacing human inspection with machine vision, the net result is greater productivity and improved customer satisfaction through the consistent delivery of quality products. This paper helps users match machine vision options with application requirements.

		Post-Stuxnet Industrial Security - 02/19/11 By Frank Dickman, Innonimate After Stuxnet, the threats from malware and insufficient IT security in automation networks can no longer be ignored. The real danger looming out there, however, is not from Stuxnet itself, but rather from mutations likely to be created by imitators.

		Installing Fieldbus - 02/17/11 By Moore Industries Many automation engineers are coming face-to-face with fieldbus applications for the first time. Fieldbus installations require some additional considerations over and above traditional 4-20mA projects.

		Java based implementation of Communication Protocol Stacks - 02/17/11 By Vinoo S Warrier, Kalkitech Utility protocol master implementations like IEC and DNP managing numerous networks and network lines require scalable and stable architectures and platforms. This paper looks at the alternatives of implementing such a system using the Java technology.

		Three Ways to Enhance Packaging Line Performance - 02/17/11 By Microscan Systems, Inc. This white paper focuses on optical character recognition (OCR) and its growing use in packaging lines for compliance with date and lot tracking regulations. Machine vision OCR helps manufacturers adhere to these mandates in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and can also improve line performance.

		Using OPC Math & Logic - 02/15/11 By Cyberlogic The Math & Logic feature allows a user to program mathematical and logical operations that the OPC server will perform on its data. These operations can range from simple averaging calculations or pass/fail decisions up to complex operations involving algebraic and trigonometric functions, string manipulation, data sorting and Boolean expressions.

		Know Your High-flex-life Cable - 02/05/11 By Northwire Cable designed to survive 10 million to 20 million flexing cycles is high-flex-life cable. It’s different from high-flex cable, which is designed to be supple and highly flexible. High-flex-life cable may actually feel stiffer than high-flex cable. The two products are distinctly different and mutually exclusive.

		Out of the Frying Pan and onto the Cable - 02/05/11 By Northwire Fluoropolymers possess special electrical properties and have a high resistance to solvents, acids and bases. These and other characteristics make fluoropolymers ideal materials for use in the manufacture of wire and cable products.

		Selecting the Right Cable for FOUNDATION fieldbus Control Networks - 02/05/11 By Northwire FF-844 is the new Fieldbus Foundation cable compliance specification. FF-844 includes the electrical requirements of ISA 50.02 and IEC 61158, but it also contains some additional requirements, which help you know your cable is the right cable for use in FOUNDATION fieldbus control networks.

		Load cell use in aerospace ground and flight test applications - 02/02/11 By Honeywell Sensing and Control In considering this technology, it is important to understand why load cells are an ideal choice for aerospace applications, the basics of load cell technology, the specific benefits of load cell use, and the key considerations in choosing a load cell and supplier.

		Why it's time to move to PROFINET - 01/26/11 By HMS Networks In the early days of fieldbus technology PROFIBUS followed a very aggressive growth curve. Within the Industrial Ethernet market, PROFINET has followed a similar path. Find out how implementing PROFINET into a device can extend its functionality for years to come.

		Food Process Monitoring - 01/24/11 By FLIR Infrared (IR) thermography can make automated non-contact temperature measurements in many food processing applications. Analog video outputs can be viewed on video monitors, and digital temperature data, including MPEG4 video outputs, can be routed to a computer via Ethernet.

		SERCOS Energy - 01/09/11 By Jan Schlechtendahl Using intelligent controls, axes and components that are not necessary in current production processes can be switched off. Especially with flexible production, the energy saving that can be achieved via SERCOS Energy is enormous.

		Machine Safety Design: Safety Relays Versus a Single Safety Controller - 01/09/11 By Phoenix Contact There comes a point in machine safety design when the designer needs to decide if it makes more sense to use multiple safety relays or to upgrade to a safety controller. This white paper focuses on some of the issues that designers must consider when determining whether a safety relay or a safety controller is the best solution for a particular job.

		OPC: The Ins and Outs to What It’s About - 12/14/10 By Darek Kominek, MatrikonOPC The Every Man’s Guide to OPC is an easy-to-read overview of the most popular industrial open connectivity standard - OPC. This paper first introduces the main idea behind OPC, shows why OPC is different from conventional (often proprietary) communication protocols, and explains how OPC helps overcome the limitations of such native protocols.

		Reducing the Risk, Cost and Frequency of Production Stoppages Using Network Redundancy - 12/03/10 By Mike Miclot and John Mower, Belden Whether your facility is involved in discrete or process operations, ensuring that it runs uninterrupted is critical to your bottom line. One way to minimize the risk of unplanned outages is to ensure that your communications keep flowing with a back-up, or redundant network.

		Providing Access to Your Manufacturing Data - Securely - 12/03/10 By Mike Miclot and Jeff Cody, Belden The proliferation of industrial Ethernet today is putting manufacturing at risk for inadvertent and deliberate intrusions. Security measures tailored specifically for production environments are imperative for keeping operations protected...and profitable.

		Industrial Protocol Actions Whitelisting - 11/15/10 By Secure Crossing By disallowing all traffic and allowing only the selected protocols and specific actions within those protocols, whitelisting provides the level of filtering needed for a customer to solve SCADA, Remote Location or Zone Level Security problems.

		Improve the Agility of Demand-Driven Supply Networks - 11/04/10 By GE Intelligent Platforms This white paper discusses where untapped information may exist in the plant and how manufacturing information should be managed through the implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives.

		Top 5 OPC Questions Integrators Need To Ask - 10/16/10 By Matrikon While OPC connectivity should reduce system complexity and save project time, there is the potential for expectations and cost to go astray if certain project risks aren’t properly managed. There are five important questions integrators need to ask to ensure the success of any major OPC implementation.

		Intelligent Device Management: Device Diagnostics - 10/05/10 By Emerson Process Management Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) is the technology used by device manufacturers to control how the device diagnostics is displayed to the technician. EDDL makes diagnostics of intelligent devices easier thanks to user guidance such as wizards and help.

		Fieldbus Diagnostics: Latest Advancements Optimize Plant Asset Management - 10/05/10 By Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation Advancements in field diagnostics support a structured approach to asset management, which simplifies operators’ tasks and increases their confidence in utilizing equipment diagnostics and asset software.

		Device Revision and Lifecycle Management Guide - 10/05/10 By Emerson Process Management How to keep systems up to date and compatible with new devices using EDDL.

		How To Select the Best Direct Marking Method For Your Part - 10/04/10 By Microscan There are many methods to directly mark objects. Selecting the best method for the application is critical to achieving success since each method has its own advantages and limitations, it is important to review and experiment with as many methods as possible before selecting the appropriate one.

		Trace, Track and Control: High Production Output at Low Costs - 10/04/10 By François Monette, Cogiscan, and Matt Van Bogart, Microscan A good TTC system will eliminate all waste of time and materials, enabling savings up to 10 percent of the total product cost, which goes straight to a manufacturer’s bottom line. A typical payback analysis for a good TTC system is less than one year.

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Automation.com Real-time Information for the Automation Professional Feb. 06, 2012

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