PCs, PLCs and PACs August 2012 Market Intelligence Report

Transcription

1 PCs, PLCs and PACs August 2012 Market Intelligence Report

2 PCs, PLCs & PACs August 2012 Market Intelligence Report Executive Summary An electronic survey of Control Design readers was conducted in August 2012 in order to identify usage and application trends of PCs, PLCs & PACs among the industrial machine builders that comprise Control Design s readership. Detailed survey results from respondents are presented on the pages that follow, with key findings summarized below: When asked what their primary automation and control function was 32.2% of respondents indicated discrete, 26.3% analog, 21.2 motion, and 20.2% sequential. The majority of respondents use PLCs as their primary controller platform, followed by PACs (24%) and PCs (4%). 13% indicated their primary controller platform as other. When asked what mostly closely matches their understanding of PACs respondents indicated: 1. Hybrid or embedded controller that can handle discrete, analog, process, motion, HMI, connectivity and other functions % 2. PLC with that can execute two or more of the IEC languages, and with standards-based communication support % 3. PC-based controller with real-time operating system % 4. PC with an integrated development environment with common tagging - 8.1% Respondents indicated they thought the following tasks were done better by PLCs rather than PACs or PCs: 1. Better for low I/O count systems 66% 2. Better for msec-level deterministic control 36.2% 3. Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 26.6% 4. Easiest to network 23.4% 5. Better for analog I/O 22.3% 6. More open system and provides more choices 19.1% 2

3 Respondents indicated they thought the following tasks were done better by PCs rather than PACs or PLCs: 1. More open system and provides more choices 60.2% 2. Easiest to network 45.2% 3. Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 35.5% 4. Better for low I/O count systems 16.1% 5. Better for msec-level deterministic control 8.6% 6. Better for analog I/O 19.1% Respondents indicated they thought the following tasks were done better by PACs rather than PCs or PLCs: 1. Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 54.8% 2. Better for analog I/O 29% 3. More open system and provides more choices 29% 4. Better for msec-level deterministic control 26.9% 5. Easiest to network 24.7% 6. Better for low I/O count systems 12.9% 3

4 What is your primary automation and control function Motion 21.2% Discrete 32.3% Analog 26.3% Sequential 20.2% 1. What is your primary automation and control function Discrete 32.3% Sequential 20.2% Analog 26.3% Motion 21.2% What is the primary controller platform for your machine automation: Other 13.0% PAC 24.0% PLC 59.0% PC 4.0% 2. What is the primary controller platform for your machine automation: PLC 59% PC 4% PAC 24% Other 13%

5 What most closely matches your understanding of a PAC: Other (please describe) 1.0% languages, and with standards-based communication support 24.2% PC-based controller with real-time operating system 19.2% PC with an integrated development environment with common t handle discrete, analog, process, motion, HMI, connectivity and other functions 47.5% 3. What most closely matches your understanding of a PAC: PC-based controller with real-time operating system 19.2% PC with an integrated development environment with common tagging 8.1% Hybrid or embedded controller that can handle discrete, analog, process, motion, HMI, connectivity and other functions PLC with that can execute two or more of the IEC languages, and with standards-based communication support 47.5% 24.2% Other (please describe) 1% Open-Text Response Breakdown for "Other (please describe)" marketing hyperbole Indicate which of these tasks you think a PLC does better than PACs or PCs. Check as many as you think apply % % 23.4% 26.6% 36.2% 22.3% 0 More open system and provides more choices Easiest to network Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort Better for low I/O count systems Better for msec-level deterministic control Better for analog I/O 4. Indicate which of these tasks you think a PLC does better than PACs or PCs. Check as many as you think apply. More open system and provides more choices 19.1% Easiest to network 23.4% Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 26.6% Better for low I/O count systems 66% Better for msec-level deterministic control 36.2% Better for analog I/O 22.3%

6 Indicate which of these tasks you think a PC does better than PACs or PLCs. Check as many as you think apply % % 35.5% 16.1% 8.6% 8.6% 0 More open system and provides more choices Easiest to network Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort Better for low I/O count systems Better for msec-level deterministic control Better for analog I/O 5. Indicate which of these tasks you think a PC does better than PACs or PLCs. Check as many as you think apply. More open system and provides more choices 60.2% Easiest to network 45.2% Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 35.5% Better for low I/O count systems 16.1% Better for msec-level deterministic control 8.6% Better for analog I/O 8.6% Indicate which of these tasks you think a PAC does better than PCs or PLCs. Check as many as you think apply % 50 29% 24.7% 12.9% 26.9% 29% 0 More open system and provides more choices Easiest to network Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort Better for low I/O count systems Better for msec-level deterministic control Better for analog I/O 6. Indicate which of these tasks you think a PAC does better than PCs or PLCs. Check as many as you think apply. More open system and provides more choices 29% Easiest to network 24.7% Provides advanced programming options that reduce system development effort 54.8% Better for low I/O count systems 12.9% Better for msec-level deterministic control 26.9% Better for analog I/O 29%