If you're considering going into controls and automation engineering, you're going to spend quite a lot of time developing on one of these: a programmable logic controller.

If you're considering going into controls and automation engineering, you're going to spend quite a lot of time developing on one of these: a programmable logic controller. While they're generally programmed with the same programming languages, the specific syntax and how you configure them does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. And there's actually quite a few brands that make PLCs. Broadly speaking, here are the most common ones you'll probably encounter in industry. Coming in at number five, not a super common one for us in the United States, but OMRON. The Omron PLC platform and their Sysmac integrated programming studio has estimated between 10 and 12 percent of worldwide reach in the factory automation space. Particularly OMRON has a pretty strong presence throughout Asia. Coming in at number four, SCHNEIDER. Personally I've only run into Schneider automation equipment when dealing with factory facilities, systems like HVAC and air conditioning systems like that. They've definitely got a foothold in this space. Coming in at number three, another one that has a very strong presence in Asia is Mitsubishi platform. Mitsubishi PLCs are incredibly common to find in equipment sourced from Asia. Number two, ROCKWELL/ALLEN-BRADLEY. Multiple flavors of PLCs as well as their multiple programming software options. Give you a pretty decent option for just about any type of application. It's estimated they have around 20 percent of global market share in the total controller factory automation space. And right before we get to one, although people in this space already can tell probably what name is missing from the list, there's a few honorable mentions because they're missing from the list but they definitely deserve to be mentioned. AB Rockwell/Allen-Bradley is a company better known for their six axis robotic arms, then their controllers per se. They actually have almost 10 percent of market share in this space, especially since acquiring a company called BNR that makes industrial PCs. Speaking of industrial PCs, Rockwell and their TwinCAT programming software seem to be gaining a foothold in some cutting edge manufacturing lines. The trickiest software to get started with, the documentation and tech support are not the best, but for high speed and precise motion applications, Rockwell does have some advantages. Some other minor ones that you may encounter are Bosch Rexroth, Delta Electronics, Fuji Electric, Keyence, Siemens, and even Arduino. And pretty recently, Siemens. Number one, SIEMENS. German electrical manufacturing, multi-everything conglomerate company. Siemens is estimated to have almost 30 percent of international global controls presence. If you're in the US or Europe and you're looking to learn these skills and you want a platform to start on, getting yourself an affordable model of a Rockwell Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLC, downloading a trial license of either like Studio 5000 for Rockwell or TIA Portal for Siemens might be the best platform if you're interested in going and getting into industry. But again, when you learn ladder logic or structured text, you're still learning the skills of the industry. It's not a bad idea to get familiar with some of these industry giants.