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What’s news this month? October 2007

ControlDesign.com

Here’s what’s new this month at ControlDesign.com, the exclusive home of our virtual content.

By Katherine Bonfante, digital managing editor

Popularity Contest

Get the most popular articles on ControlDesign.com for the month of September. Our web site houses a vast collection of articles and other content for visitors to read and download at no cost. During September, you decided on what our most popular articles were by visiting these online articles the most.

1. The Invisible Threat
2. Power Plant Goes Wireless Three Ways
3. RFID Gaining Street Credibility?
4. PC Control Breaks Blow-Molding Mold

To link to the full version of these articles visit >>
ControlDesign.com/0709mostpopular

Online Forum

What is MBF? Machine Builder Forum is Control Design’s online spot to meet and discuss industrial automation issues and any other topics you might want to touch on. Our online forum is creating buzz around Machine Builder Nation. Visit our cyber hot spot and see what the editors and site visitors are chatting about. Lately, we have touched on a variety of topics

• counterfeit automation components;
• IEC 61131 is a “non-standard”;
• analog-digital debate;
• engineering’s next generation;
• AutomationXchange;
• NIWeek; and
• wireless motion control.

If you would like to comment on any of these topics or if you have a new topic you want to discuss, join the party now. MBF is the right spot for you to voice your opinion.

To join the forum log on to >>
ControlDesign.com/heardondiscrete

Current Web Poll

In which of these skills would you invest time to become proficient in your job as a machine control professional?

• IEC61131 programming languages
• C++ ,C#, and other higher-level programming languages 
• FPGA programming 
• Simulation software 
• ECAD/CAE software 
• Other 

Participate now. Visit >>
ControlDesign.com

Whitepapers

Custom Servo Amplifiers - Benefit and Trade-Offs
This paper addresses the question of customization and provides information on when to consider custom solutions, trade-offs, and the benefits of custom amplifier development programs.

Background Suppression with Photoelectric Sensors – Challenges and Solutions
This paper shows how triangulation, the basic principal behind background suppression, works. It also touches on the challenges and solutions that photoelectric sensors present in background suppression.

Selecting the Proper Cables for Your Servo or Stepper System
This paper shows how cables for steppers and servomotor systems must be compatible with specific electrical, mechanical, and environmental operating conditions of the system to ensure that it will operate reliably, safely, and efficiently.

The Air Bearing Advantage
This paper talks about advantages of air bearings such as friction free, unlimited service life, consistent servo tuning and more.

Material Handling: Sensing Challenges & Solutions
This paper illustrates questions and concerns OEMs should have when choosing a sensor manufacturer and specifying sensors.

Download PDFs of these white papers at ControlDesign.com/whitepapers