If you thought that the new AI-powered searches on the likes of Bing would be on the fence about recommending suppliers, think again. Here’s a query I entered last week:
what manufacturers should I talk to before buying a programmable controller for factory automation?
Bing Chat replied:
There are many manufacturers of programmable controllers for factory automation. Some of the top manufacturers include:
- Siemens
- Rockwell Automation / Allen Bradley
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Schneider Electric
- ABB
- Honeywell Process
- Omron
- Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems
You can find more information about these manufacturers and their products in this article. I hope this helps!
Learn more:
1. roboticsandautomationnews.com
2. uk.rs-online.com
3. ladderlogicworld.com
Then I tried the same query with Google’s Bard.
Bard replied:
Here are some of the top programmable controller (PLC) manufacturers for factory automation in 2023:
- Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)
- Beckhoff Automation
- Bosch Rexroth
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Omron
- Phoenix Contact
- Siemens
- Schneider Electric
- Yokogawa Electric
These manufacturers offer a wide range of PLCs to suit different needs and budgets, from small, compact PLCs for basic applications to large, modular PLCs for complex systems. They also offer a variety of software and hardware tools to help you program, install, and maintain your PLCs.
When choosing a PLC manufacturer, it is important to consider the following factors:
The specific needs of your application
The size and complexity of your system
Your budget
The availability of local support
It is also a good idea to talk to other manufacturers to get a sense of the different features and options that are available.
Here are some additional tips for choosing a PLC manufacturer:
Make sure the manufacturer has a good reputation and a track record of providing reliable products and support.
Choose a manufacturer that offers a wide range of PLCs to suit your needs.
Consider the cost of the PLC, as well as the cost of software, hardware, and support.
Make sure the manufacturer has a good local presence so that you can get support when you need it.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Check back tomorrow and we’ll start to work out what this all means. In the meantime, I suggest spending some time taking a look at Bing Chat and Google Bard, entering a query similar to the above in your area of activity.