SO THERE YOU ARE. You're the machine control system designer who has to track down some new automation and control sources to buy from. But you wonder how to get some unbiased intelligence about where to find the best value for your capital. You can and should ask your fellow company engineers. It certainly will make sense to ask some of your customers. But, perhaps even better than that, what if you could tap into the collective mindset of CONTROL DESIGNās readers to get a sense of what they think.
Well, thatās exactly what you get with this edition of the results of our annual Readersā Choice Awards balloting.
We put those technology choices in the capable hands of our performance-centric readers, and many of you answered our call again, telling us which automation suppliers provide the best instrumentation, controls, and automation technologies for their industrial machine builder community. They also made it abundantly clear which of those companies they think provide top-notch service and support.
Our model for this award hasnāt changed a lick. In September, we sent survey forms to more than 15,000 CONTROL DESIGN subscribers who tell us they have authority to specify, recommend, or purchase industrial automation and control products for industrial machines.Ā
Vendors are never eligible to vote, so we didnāt knowingly let any supplier get a ballot. The few times we unearthed a vendor in the response mix, we tore up the ballot with an indignant sense of purpose. This balloting is for our machine builder and system integrator readers. Period.
Our ballot is an unaided survey. We donāt include a list of vendors or product brands to choose from. We listed 53 hardware and software categories and asked participants to fill in the one best company for the products he or she had experience with. We received responses from nearly 300 readers.
While they chose the best technologies, we also asked them to rate the service and support they receive from these companies on a scale of 1 (ugh) to 5 (excellent).
Our published results include only those companies that received at least a 5% share of the vote in their category.
Allegiance Is Growing
We have a bumper crop of outright winners. The results reversed last yearās trend towards more product and company diversity within categories, even though the total number of companies making the cut this year grew from 85 to 93.
Thatās because 40 of the 53 (76%) product categories returned margins of victory of 10% or greater vs. the second-best vote-getter. Last year, 34 races in 50 (68%) categories returned this result.
The number of close races--decided by margins of 5% or less--fell to nine, just one below 2002ās level of 10 and well down from last yearās 13. Five of the races were statistical dead heats, down from seven last year.
Nine companies turned in multiple-category wins. Demonstrating the impressive vote-getting power of previous years, Rockwell Automation won or tied for first place in 17 hardware and three software categories. Other multiple winners included Danaher with five, four for Emerson Process Measurement, and three for Parker, General Electric and National Instruments. Hoffman, Honeywell, and Pepperl+Fuchs each won twice.
Knockouts and Split Decisions
Seven of categories produced winners garnering more than 60% vote shares. There were five other categories where the winner didn't gain that clear majority, but still swept past its closest challenger by 25 percentage points or more.
As mentioned, we had 10 tightly contested races decided by five points or less that offset those seven 60%-share behemoths. We declared co-winners in four of those 10 races. In the six other close races, two categories were decided by just three percentage points.
Great Service or Are Readers Getting Soft?
Ninety-three companies received enough votes (5% or greater share) to appear in the published results.
You awarded 69 of them service and support scores of 4.0 or better. That's very good-to-excellent performance on a scale of 1-5. This represents a rather significant 15% increase compared to the number of companies recognized for their service last year.
Further, in 2003 only four companies were deemed worthy of service and support scores of 4.5 or better. This year you chose to recognize seven companies. Perhaps they took notice last year when you reduced those service kudos as compared with 2002, and decided to try to impress you this year.
Whether achieving a score of 4.7 or 4.0, any company making the service and support list should be pleased to receive this reader vote of confidence. As was the case last year, some of the companies achieved these noteworthy service marks in multiple categories. The Service and Support table lists those companies that readers identified as providing service with ratings of 4.0 or better.
Emerson Process Management and GE Fanuc were the only companies to score 4.7. AutomationDirect, GE, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens Energy & Automation achieved service scores of 4.6.
Four companies--AutomationDirect, Bosch Rexroth, Danfoss and GE Fanuc--tallied 4.5 scores across six product categories.Ā
Voters awarded twenty-six companies a service score of 4.0 or better in multiple categories. Rockwell Automation achieved this in some 26 product categories. GE/GE Fanuc and Siemens each were recognized for service in 10 product categories, Bosch Rexroth and Emerson Process Management each made the grade in five categories.Ā
So letās get to it. Here, listed alphabetically by category, is this year's elite group. We welcome your analysis and comment about the outcome at [email protected].
Alarm/Annunciator
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 28%
2.Ā Ametek/PanalarmĀ 15%
3. EdwardsĀ 7%,Ā Federal SignalĀ 5%,Ā PatliteĀ 5%,Ā Ronan EngineeringĀ 5%
Ball Screw/Lead Screw
1. THKĀ 13%,Ā Danaher Motion/ThomsonĀ 13%
3. Bosch RexrothĀ 10%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 10%
Controller, CNC
1.Ā GE FanucĀ 61%
2.Ā Rockwell Automation AutomationĀ 11%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 7%
Controller, Loop
1.Ā HoneywellĀ 15%
2.Ā InvensysĀ 12%
3. WatlowĀ Electric Manufacturing CompanyĀ 9%,Ā EmersonĀ 7%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 7%
6. OmronĀ 6%,Ā Red Lion 6%,Ā ABBĀ 5%,Ā SiemensĀ 5%
Controller, Motion
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 34%
2.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 10%
3.Ā GE FanucĀ 7%,Ā GalilĀ 5%
Controller, PLC
1.Ā Rockwell Automation AutomationĀ 65%
2. AutomationDirectĀ 8%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 8%,Ā SchneiderĀ ElectricĀ 7%
Data Acquisition System
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 24%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 12%
Data Recorder
1.Ā HoneywellĀ 33%
2. YokogawaĀ 15%,Ā InvensysĀ 13%
4.Ā ABBĀ 7%
Encoder/Resolver
1. DanaherĀ 24%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 24%
3. BEIĀ 6%,Ā Encoder ProductsĀ 6%
Hydraulic System Components
1.Ā Parker HannifinĀ 45%
2.Ā Eaton/VickersĀ 17%,Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 15%
Industrial Computer
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
2.Ā AdvantechĀ 14%
3.Ā DellĀ 9%,Ā Proface/XycomĀ 7%
Industrial Electrical Connectors/Cordsets
1.Ā TurckĀ 21%,Ā Woodhead ConnectivityĀ 20%
3.Ā HubbellĀ 10%
4.Ā AmphenolĀ 5%,Ā HartingĀ 5%
Industrial Electric Motor Drive
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 51%
2.Ā ABBĀ 6%,Ā DanfossĀ 5%,Ā MitsubishiĀ 5%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 5%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 5%
Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)
1.Ā HoffmanĀ 73%
2.Ā RittalĀ 10%
3.Ā Saginaw ControlsĀ 5%
Industrial Enclosure (non-Metallic)
1.Ā HoffmanĀ 68%
2. RittalĀ 5%,Ā StahlinĀ 5%
Industrial Network Component
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 35%
2.Ā HirschmannĀ 11%
3. CiscoĀ 5%,Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 5%
Input/Output System
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 40%
2.Ā Opto 22Ā 9%,Ā AutomationDirectĀ 7%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 6%,Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 5%,Ā WagoĀ 5%
Intrinsic Safety
1.Ā Pepperl+FuchsĀ 20%
2.Ā MTLĀ 8%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 8%,Ā STIĀ 7%
5. RStahlĀ 5%,Ā TurckĀ 5%
Light Tower
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 38%
2.Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 13%,Ā PatliteĀ 12%
4.Ā Federal SignalĀ 9%
5.Ā Eaton ElectricalĀ 6%
Linear Actuator/Slide
1. Danaher Motion/ThomsonĀ 11%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 9%
2.Ā Bosch Rexroth 7%, Rockwell Automation 7%, THK 7%, Duff-Norton 5%, PHD 5%, SMC 5%
Machine Vision System
1.Ā DVTĀ 30%
2.Ā CognexĀ 23%
3.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 13%,Ā KeyenceĀ 12%
5.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 5%
Measurement, Flow
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 30%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 15%
Measurement, Level
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 25%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 12%
3.Ā Danaher/GEMS SensorĀ 7%,Ā Siemens/MilltronicsĀ 7%,Ā MagnetrolĀ 5%
Measurement, Load Cell/Weighing System
1.Ā Mettler ToledoĀ 30%
2.Ā Hardy InstrumentsĀ 13%
Measurement, Pressure
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 29%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 10%,Ā HoneywellĀ 8%
4.Ā Dwyer InstrumentsĀ 5%
Measurement, Temperature
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 22%
2.Ā Omega Ā 9%,Ā Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company 9%,Ā Honeywell Ā 8%,Ā PyromationĀ 7%
Measurement, Vibration
1.Ā GE/Bently NevadaĀ 24%
Motor, Industrial Electric
1.Ā Baldor Ā 34%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 18%
3.Ā Emerson/U.S. MotorsĀ 9%,Ā SEW-EurodrivesĀ 8%,Ā General ElectricĀ 7%,Ā Regal-BeloitĀ 7%
7.Ā ToshibaĀ 5%
Motor, Linear
1.Ā Danaher/Kollmorgen 24%
Motor, Servo
1.Ā Parker AutomationĀ 30%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 12%
3.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 9%,Ā Danaher/KollmorgenĀ 9%
Motor Starter
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 59%
2.Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 17%
3.Ā Eaton ElectricalĀ 5%,Ā General ElectricĀ 5%
Motor, Stepper
1.Ā Danaher MotionĀ 28%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
Operator Interface Terminal
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 50%
2.Ā Maple SystemsĀ 6%,Ā AutomationDirectĀ 5%,Ā Proface/XycomĀ 5%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 5%
Panel Meter
1.Ā Red Lion ControlsĀ 32%
2.Ā Precision DigitalĀ 11%,Ā YokogawaĀ 11%
4.Ā Simpson ElectricĀ 7%,Ā OmegaĀ 6%
Pneumatic System Components
1.Ā SMCĀ 23%
2.Ā FestoĀ 18%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 18%
4.Ā NumaticsĀ 14%
Power Supply
1.Ā SOLAĀ 31%
2.Ā Phoenix-ContactĀ 10%,Ā AcopianĀ 8%
4.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 6%,Ā IDECĀ 5%,Ā Power OneĀ 5%
Presence Sensing
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
2.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 16%
3.Ā TurckĀ 10%
4.Ā KeyenceĀ 7%,Ā ifm efectorĀ 5%,Ā Omron ElectronicsĀ 5%
Programmable Safety Controller
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā PilzĀ 13%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 13%
Purging System
1.Ā Pepperl+Fuchs/BPSĀ 57%
Relay
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā IDECĀ 17%
3.Ā Potter & BrumfieldĀ 10%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 10%
5.Ā OmronĀ 7%
Safety Network/Component
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 29%
2.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 17%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 12%,Ā STIĀ 10%
Safety Relay
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 38%
2.Ā Pilz Automation SafetyĀ 15%
3.Ā STIĀ 10%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 8%
Signal Conditioner
1.Ā Action InstrumentsĀ 24%
2.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 11%,Ā Moore IndustriesĀ 9%
4.Ā AcromagĀ 7%,Ā M-SystemĀ 6%
Single-Board Computer
1.Ā AdvantechĀ 16%
2.Ā Z-WorldĀ 9%
Software, CNC
1.Ā GE FanucĀ 62%
Software, Data Acquisition
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 38%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 8%,Ā Measurement ComputingĀ 6%
Software, E-CAD
1.Ā AutodeskĀ 73%
2.Ā ECTĀ 6%
Software, HMI
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 14%,Ā InvensysĀ 14%
4.Ā SiemensĀ 6%
Software, Motion Control
1.Ā Rockwell Automation 48%
2.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 6%,Ā GE FanucĀ 6%
Software, PC-Based Control
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 17%
2.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 11%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 11%,Ā BeckhoffĀ 9%,Ā GE FanucĀ 9%
Software, PLC Programming
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 70%
2.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 6%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 5%
Terminal Block
1.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 25%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 23%
3. WagoĀ 13%,Ā WeidmullerĀ 11%
5.Ā AutomationDirectĀ 8%,Ā ABB/EntrelecĀ 6%
Wire & Cabling
1.Ā Belden CDT ElectronicsĀ 53%
2.Ā LappUSA/OlflexĀ 7%
Emerson Process Management -- Loop ControllerGE Fanuc --Ā Motion Controller4.6AutomationDirect --Ā Input Output SystemGeneral ElectricĀ --Ā Industrial Electric MotorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Operator Interface4.5AutomationDirectĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerAutomationDirectĀ --Ā Terminal BlockBoschRexroth IndramatĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareDanfossĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveGE FanucĀ --Ā Servo MotorGeneral ElectricĀ --Ā Motor Starter4.4ABBĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveAutomationDirectĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceDellĀ --Ā Industrial ComputerGalilĀ -- Motion ControllerGE FanucĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareHoneywellĀ --Ā Temperature Measurementifm efectorĀ --Ā Presence SensingPrecision DigitalĀ --Ā Panel MeterSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Programmable Safety ControllerSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Safety RelaySMCĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentSTIĀ --Ā Safety Network/Component4.3Banner EngineeringĀ --Ā Presence SensingBanner EngineeringĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentBosch/RexrothĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Motion ControllerDanaher Motion/ThomsonĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewEaton ElectricalĀ --Ā Motor StarterEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Flow MeasurementEncoder ProductsĀ --Ā Encoder/ResolverGE FanucĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareHardy InstrumentsĀ --Ā Weighing System/Load CellKeyenceĀ --Ā Presence SensingLapp USA/OlflexĀ --Ā Wire and CablingMeasurement ComputingĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareNumaticsĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentPepperl+FuchsĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyPHDĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SystemRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Programmable Safety ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Safety RelayRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Stepper MotorRStahlĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetySaginaw ControlsĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Schneider ElectricĀ --Ā PLC Programming SoftwareSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Computer Numerical Controller (CNC)Siemens E & AĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Loop ControllerSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerSTIĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyTHKĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideYokogawaĀ --Ā Data RecorderZ-World EngineeringĀ --Ā Single-Board Computer4.2
AcopianĀ --Ā Power SupplyAcromagĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerAction InstrumentsĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerAdvantechĀ --Ā Single-Board ComputerDanaher Motion/KollmorgenĀ -- Linear MotorECT Intl.Ā -- Electrical CAD SoftwareEndress+HauserĀ --Ā Flow MeasurementGE FanucĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareHoffmanĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Non-metallic)MTLĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareOmega Ā --Ā Panel MeterPepperl+FuchsĀ --Ā Purging System/ComponentRittalĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Rockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Industrial Electric MotorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā RelayRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Servo MotorSOLA/Hevy-DutyĀ --Ā Power Supply4.1ABB/EntrelecĀ --Ā Terminal BlockBelden EDT ElectronicsĀ --Ā Wire and CablingDanaher MotionĀ --Ā Servo MotorEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Level MeasurementEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Temperature MeasurementFederal SignalĀ --Ā Light TowerFestoĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentHoffmanĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Maple Systems&
Well, thatās exactly what you get with this edition of the results of our annual Readersā Choice Awards balloting.
We put those technology choices in the capable hands of our performance-centric readers, and many of you answered our call again, telling us which automation suppliers provide the best instrumentation, controls, and automation technologies for their industrial machine builder community. They also made it abundantly clear which of those companies they think provide top-notch service and support.
Our model for this award hasnāt changed a lick. In September, we sent survey forms to more than 15,000 CONTROL DESIGN subscribers who tell us they have authority to specify, recommend, or purchase industrial automation and control products for industrial machines.Ā
Vendors are never eligible to vote, so we didnāt knowingly let any supplier get a ballot. The few times we unearthed a vendor in the response mix, we tore up the ballot with an indignant sense of purpose. This balloting is for our machine builder and system integrator readers. Period.
Our ballot is an unaided survey. We donāt include a list of vendors or product brands to choose from. We listed 53 hardware and software categories and asked participants to fill in the one best company for the products he or she had experience with. We received responses from nearly 300 readers.
While they chose the best technologies, we also asked them to rate the service and support they receive from these companies on a scale of 1 (ugh) to 5 (excellent).
Our published results include only those companies that received at least a 5% share of the vote in their category.
Allegiance Is Growing
We have a bumper crop of outright winners. The results reversed last yearās trend towards more product and company diversity within categories, even though the total number of companies making the cut this year grew from 85 to 93.
Thatās because 40 of the 53 (76%) product categories returned margins of victory of 10% or greater vs. the second-best vote-getter. Last year, 34 races in 50 (68%) categories returned this result.
The number of close races--decided by margins of 5% or less--fell to nine, just one below 2002ās level of 10 and well down from last yearās 13. Five of the races were statistical dead heats, down from seven last year.
Nine companies turned in multiple-category wins. Demonstrating the impressive vote-getting power of previous years, Rockwell Automation won or tied for first place in 17 hardware and three software categories. Other multiple winners included Danaher with five, four for Emerson Process Measurement, and three for Parker, General Electric and National Instruments. Hoffman, Honeywell, and Pepperl+Fuchs each won twice.
Knockouts and Split Decisions
Seven of categories produced winners garnering more than 60% vote shares. There were five other categories where the winner didn't gain that clear majority, but still swept past its closest challenger by 25 percentage points or more.
As mentioned, we had 10 tightly contested races decided by five points or less that offset those seven 60%-share behemoths. We declared co-winners in four of those 10 races. In the six other close races, two categories were decided by just three percentage points.
Great Service or Are Readers Getting Soft?
Ninety-three companies received enough votes (5% or greater share) to appear in the published results.
You awarded 69 of them service and support scores of 4.0 or better. That's very good-to-excellent performance on a scale of 1-5. This represents a rather significant 15% increase compared to the number of companies recognized for their service last year.
Further, in 2003 only four companies were deemed worthy of service and support scores of 4.5 or better. This year you chose to recognize seven companies. Perhaps they took notice last year when you reduced those service kudos as compared with 2002, and decided to try to impress you this year.
Whether achieving a score of 4.7 or 4.0, any company making the service and support list should be pleased to receive this reader vote of confidence. As was the case last year, some of the companies achieved these noteworthy service marks in multiple categories. The Service and Support table lists those companies that readers identified as providing service with ratings of 4.0 or better.
Emerson Process Management and GE Fanuc were the only companies to score 4.7. AutomationDirect, GE, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens Energy & Automation achieved service scores of 4.6.
Four companies--AutomationDirect, Bosch Rexroth, Danfoss and GE Fanuc--tallied 4.5 scores across six product categories.Ā
Voters awarded twenty-six companies a service score of 4.0 or better in multiple categories. Rockwell Automation achieved this in some 26 product categories. GE/GE Fanuc and Siemens each were recognized for service in 10 product categories, Bosch Rexroth and Emerson Process Management each made the grade in five categories.Ā
So letās get to it. Here, listed alphabetically by category, is this year's elite group. We welcome your analysis and comment about the outcome at [email protected].
Alarm/Annunciator
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 28%
2.Ā Ametek/PanalarmĀ 15%
3. EdwardsĀ 7%,Ā Federal SignalĀ 5%,Ā PatliteĀ 5%,Ā Ronan EngineeringĀ 5%
Ball Screw/Lead Screw
1. THKĀ 13%,Ā Danaher Motion/ThomsonĀ 13%
3. Bosch RexrothĀ 10%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 10%
Controller, CNC
1.Ā GE FanucĀ 61%
2.Ā Rockwell Automation AutomationĀ 11%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 7%
Controller, Loop
1.Ā HoneywellĀ 15%
2.Ā InvensysĀ 12%
3. WatlowĀ Electric Manufacturing CompanyĀ 9%,Ā EmersonĀ 7%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 7%
6. OmronĀ 6%,Ā Red Lion 6%,Ā ABBĀ 5%,Ā SiemensĀ 5%
Controller, Motion
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 34%
2.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 10%
3.Ā GE FanucĀ 7%,Ā GalilĀ 5%
Controller, PLC
1.Ā Rockwell Automation AutomationĀ 65%
2. AutomationDirectĀ 8%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 8%,Ā SchneiderĀ ElectricĀ 7%
Data Acquisition System
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 24%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 12%
Data Recorder
1.Ā HoneywellĀ 33%
2. YokogawaĀ 15%,Ā InvensysĀ 13%
4.Ā ABBĀ 7%
Encoder/Resolver
1. DanaherĀ 24%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 24%
3. BEIĀ 6%,Ā Encoder ProductsĀ 6%
Hydraulic System Components
1.Ā Parker HannifinĀ 45%
2.Ā Eaton/VickersĀ 17%,Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 15%
Industrial Computer
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
2.Ā AdvantechĀ 14%
3.Ā DellĀ 9%,Ā Proface/XycomĀ 7%
Industrial Electrical Connectors/Cordsets
1.Ā TurckĀ 21%,Ā Woodhead ConnectivityĀ 20%
3.Ā HubbellĀ 10%
4.Ā AmphenolĀ 5%,Ā HartingĀ 5%
Industrial Electric Motor Drive
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 51%
2.Ā ABBĀ 6%,Ā DanfossĀ 5%,Ā MitsubishiĀ 5%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 5%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 5%
Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)
1.Ā HoffmanĀ 73%
2.Ā RittalĀ 10%
3.Ā Saginaw ControlsĀ 5%
Industrial Enclosure (non-Metallic)
1.Ā HoffmanĀ 68%
2. RittalĀ 5%,Ā StahlinĀ 5%
Industrial Network Component
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 35%
2.Ā HirschmannĀ 11%
3. CiscoĀ 5%,Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 5%
Input/Output System
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 40%
2.Ā Opto 22Ā 9%,Ā AutomationDirectĀ 7%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 6%,Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 5%,Ā WagoĀ 5%
Intrinsic Safety
1.Ā Pepperl+FuchsĀ 20%
2.Ā MTLĀ 8%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 8%,Ā STIĀ 7%
5. RStahlĀ 5%,Ā TurckĀ 5%
Light Tower
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 38%
2.Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 13%,Ā PatliteĀ 12%
4.Ā Federal SignalĀ 9%
5.Ā Eaton ElectricalĀ 6%
Linear Actuator/Slide
1. Danaher Motion/ThomsonĀ 11%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 9%
2.Ā Bosch Rexroth 7%, Rockwell Automation 7%, THK 7%, Duff-Norton 5%, PHD 5%, SMC 5%
Machine Vision System
1.Ā DVTĀ 30%
2.Ā CognexĀ 23%
3.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 13%,Ā KeyenceĀ 12%
5.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 5%
Measurement, Flow
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 30%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 15%
Measurement, Level
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 25%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 12%
3.Ā Danaher/GEMS SensorĀ 7%,Ā Siemens/MilltronicsĀ 7%,Ā MagnetrolĀ 5%
Measurement, Load Cell/Weighing System
1.Ā Mettler ToledoĀ 30%
2.Ā Hardy InstrumentsĀ 13%
Measurement, Pressure
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 29%
2.Ā Endress+HauserĀ 10%,Ā HoneywellĀ 8%
4.Ā Dwyer InstrumentsĀ 5%
Measurement, Temperature
1.Ā Emerson Process ManagementĀ 22%
2.Ā Omega Ā 9%,Ā Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company 9%,Ā Honeywell Ā 8%,Ā PyromationĀ 7%
Measurement, Vibration
1.Ā GE/Bently NevadaĀ 24%
Motor, Industrial Electric
1.Ā Baldor Ā 34%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 18%
3.Ā Emerson/U.S. MotorsĀ 9%,Ā SEW-EurodrivesĀ 8%,Ā General ElectricĀ 7%,Ā Regal-BeloitĀ 7%
7.Ā ToshibaĀ 5%
Motor, Linear
1.Ā Danaher/Kollmorgen 24%
Motor, Servo
1.Ā Parker AutomationĀ 30%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 12%
3.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 9%,Ā Danaher/KollmorgenĀ 9%
Motor Starter
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 59%
2.Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 17%
3.Ā Eaton ElectricalĀ 5%,Ā General ElectricĀ 5%
Motor, Stepper
1.Ā Danaher MotionĀ 28%
2.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
Operator Interface Terminal
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 50%
2.Ā Maple SystemsĀ 6%,Ā AutomationDirectĀ 5%,Ā Proface/XycomĀ 5%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 5%
Panel Meter
1.Ā Red Lion ControlsĀ 32%
2.Ā Precision DigitalĀ 11%,Ā YokogawaĀ 11%
4.Ā Simpson ElectricĀ 7%,Ā OmegaĀ 6%
Pneumatic System Components
1.Ā SMCĀ 23%
2.Ā FestoĀ 18%,Ā Parker HannifinĀ 18%
4.Ā NumaticsĀ 14%
Power Supply
1.Ā SOLAĀ 31%
2.Ā Phoenix-ContactĀ 10%,Ā AcopianĀ 8%
4.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 6%,Ā IDECĀ 5%,Ā Power OneĀ 5%
Presence Sensing
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 19%
2.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 16%
3.Ā TurckĀ 10%
4.Ā KeyenceĀ 7%,Ā ifm efectorĀ 5%,Ā Omron ElectronicsĀ 5%
Programmable Safety Controller
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā PilzĀ 13%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 13%
Purging System
1.Ā Pepperl+Fuchs/BPSĀ 57%
Relay
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā IDECĀ 17%
3.Ā Potter & BrumfieldĀ 10%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 10%
5.Ā OmronĀ 7%
Safety Network/Component
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 29%
2.Ā Banner EngineeringĀ 17%
3.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 12%,Ā STIĀ 10%
Safety Relay
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 38%
2.Ā Pilz Automation SafetyĀ 15%
3.Ā STIĀ 10%,Ā Siemens E & AĀ 8%
Signal Conditioner
1.Ā Action InstrumentsĀ 24%
2.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 11%,Ā Moore IndustriesĀ 9%
4.Ā AcromagĀ 7%,Ā M-SystemĀ 6%
Single-Board Computer
1.Ā AdvantechĀ 16%
2.Ā Z-WorldĀ 9%
Software, CNC
1.Ā GE FanucĀ 62%
Software, Data Acquisition
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 38%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 8%,Ā Measurement ComputingĀ 6%
Software, E-CAD
1.Ā AutodeskĀ 73%
2.Ā ECTĀ 6%
Software, HMI
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 36%
2.Ā GE FanucĀ 14%,Ā InvensysĀ 14%
4.Ā SiemensĀ 6%
Software, Motion Control
1.Ā Rockwell Automation 48%
2.Ā Bosch RexrothĀ 6%,Ā GE FanucĀ 6%
Software, PC-Based Control
1.Ā National InstrumentsĀ 17%
2.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 11%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 11%,Ā BeckhoffĀ 9%,Ā GE FanucĀ 9%
Software, PLC Programming
1.Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 70%
2.Ā Siemens E & AĀ 6%,Ā Schneider ElectricĀ 5%
Terminal Block
1.Ā Phoenix ContactĀ 25%,Ā Rockwell AutomationĀ 23%
3. WagoĀ 13%,Ā WeidmullerĀ 11%
5.Ā AutomationDirectĀ 8%,Ā ABB/EntrelecĀ 6%
Wire & Cabling
1.Ā Belden CDT ElectronicsĀ 53%
2.Ā LappUSA/OlflexĀ 7%
The 2004 Readers Choice service and support leaders
CONTROL DESIGN readers tell us these 69 companies provide very good (4.0) to excellent (5.0) service and support4.7Emerson Process Management -- Loop ControllerGE Fanuc --Ā Motion Controller4.6AutomationDirect --Ā Input Output SystemGeneral ElectricĀ --Ā Industrial Electric MotorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Operator Interface4.5AutomationDirectĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerAutomationDirectĀ --Ā Terminal BlockBoschRexroth IndramatĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareDanfossĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveGE FanucĀ --Ā Servo MotorGeneral ElectricĀ --Ā Motor Starter4.4ABBĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveAutomationDirectĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceDellĀ --Ā Industrial ComputerGalilĀ -- Motion ControllerGE FanucĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareHoneywellĀ --Ā Temperature Measurementifm efectorĀ --Ā Presence SensingPrecision DigitalĀ --Ā Panel MeterSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Programmable Safety ControllerSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Safety RelaySMCĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentSTIĀ --Ā Safety Network/Component4.3Banner EngineeringĀ --Ā Presence SensingBanner EngineeringĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentBosch/RexrothĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Motion ControllerDanaher Motion/ThomsonĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewEaton ElectricalĀ --Ā Motor StarterEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Flow MeasurementEncoder ProductsĀ --Ā Encoder/ResolverGE FanucĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareHardy InstrumentsĀ --Ā Weighing System/Load CellKeyenceĀ --Ā Presence SensingLapp USA/OlflexĀ --Ā Wire and CablingMeasurement ComputingĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SoftwareNumaticsĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentPepperl+FuchsĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyPHDĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SystemRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Programmable Safety ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Safety Network/ComponentRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Safety RelayRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Stepper MotorRStahlĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetySaginaw ControlsĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Schneider ElectricĀ --Ā PLC Programming SoftwareSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Computer Numerical Controller (CNC)Siemens E & AĀ --Ā Electric Motor DriveSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Loop ControllerSiemens E & AĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerSTIĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyTHKĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideYokogawaĀ --Ā Data RecorderZ-World EngineeringĀ --Ā Single-Board Computer4.2
AcopianĀ --Ā Power SupplyAcromagĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerAction InstrumentsĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerAdvantechĀ --Ā Single-Board ComputerDanaher Motion/KollmorgenĀ -- Linear MotorECT Intl.Ā -- Electrical CAD SoftwareEndress+HauserĀ --Ā Flow MeasurementGE FanucĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareHoffmanĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Non-metallic)MTLĀ --Ā Intrinsic SafetyNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā PC-Based Machine Control SoftwareOmega Ā --Ā Panel MeterPepperl+FuchsĀ --Ā Purging System/ComponentRittalĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Rockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Industrial Electric MotorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Motion Control SoftwareRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā RelayRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Servo MotorSOLA/Hevy-DutyĀ --Ā Power Supply4.1ABB/EntrelecĀ --Ā Terminal BlockBelden EDT ElectronicsĀ --Ā Wire and CablingDanaher MotionĀ --Ā Servo MotorEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Level MeasurementEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Temperature MeasurementFederal SignalĀ --Ā Light TowerFestoĀ --Ā Pneumatic System/ComponentHoffmanĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure (Metallic)Maple Systems&
;#160;--Ā Operator InterfaceNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā Data Acquisition SystemOmegaĀ --Ā Temperature MeasurementPhoenix ContactĀ --Ā Industrial Network/ComponentPhoenix ContactĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerPhoenix ContactĀ --Ā Terminal BlockPotter & BrumfieldĀ --Ā RelayPyromationĀ --Ā Temperature MeasurementRegal Beloit/MarathonĀ --Ā Industrial Electric MotorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Alarm/AnnunciatorRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Encoder/ResolverRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Industrial ComputerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Motion ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Motor StarterRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Power SupplyRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Presence SensingRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerSchneider ElectricĀ --Ā Motor StarterSchneider ElectricĀ --Ā Programmable Logic ControllerSiemens E & AĀ --Ā PLC Programming SoftwareWagoĀ --Ā Terminal BlockWatlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyĀ --Ā Temperature Measurement4.0
ABBĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā HMI SoftwareAmphenolĀ --Ā Industrial Electric ConnectorBanner EngineeringĀ --Ā Machine VisionBEIĀ --Ā Encoder/ResolverBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Hydraulic System ComponentsBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Servo MotorCisco SystemĀ --Ā Industrial Network/ComponentCognexĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemDVTĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Pressure MeasurementEndress+HauserĀ --Ā Pressure MeasurementFederal SignalĀ --Ā Alarm/AnnunciatorGE FanucĀ --Ā CNCGE FanucĀ --Ā CNC SoftwareGE/Bently NevadaĀ --Ā Vibration MeasurementHoneywellĀ --Ā Pressure MeasurementInvensysĀ --Ā Data RecorderInvensysĀ --Ā Loop ControllerKeyenceĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemMoore IndustriesĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemOmronĀ --Ā Presence SensingParker AutomationĀ --Ā Servo MotorParker HannifinĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewParker HannifinĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlidePhoenix ContactĀ --Ā Power SupplyPilz Automation SafetyĀ --Ā Safety RelayProface/Xycom AutomationĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceRed LionĀ --Ā Panel MeterRed LionĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRittalĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure, Non-MetallicRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Data AcquisitionRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā HMI SoftwareRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Input/Output SystemRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Light TowerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā PLC Programming SoftwareSchneider ElectricĀ --Ā Industrial Electric Motor DriveSiemens/MilltronicsĀ --Ā Level MeasurementSMCĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideStahlinĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure, Non-MetallicTHKĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideTurckĀ --Ā Industrial Electrical ConnectorWago --Ā Input/Output SystemWeidmullerĀ --Ā Terminal Block
ABBĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā HMI SoftwareAmphenolĀ --Ā Industrial Electric ConnectorBanner EngineeringĀ --Ā Machine VisionBEIĀ --Ā Encoder/ResolverBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Hydraulic System ComponentsBosch RexrothĀ --Ā Servo MotorCisco SystemĀ --Ā Industrial Network/ComponentCognexĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemDVTĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemEmerson Process ManagementĀ -- Pressure MeasurementEndress+HauserĀ --Ā Pressure MeasurementFederal SignalĀ --Ā Alarm/AnnunciatorGE FanucĀ --Ā CNCGE FanucĀ --Ā CNC SoftwareGE/Bently NevadaĀ --Ā Vibration MeasurementHoneywellĀ --Ā Pressure MeasurementInvensysĀ --Ā Data RecorderInvensysĀ --Ā Loop ControllerKeyenceĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemMoore IndustriesĀ --Ā Signal ConditionerNational InstrumentsĀ --Ā Machine Vision SystemOmronĀ --Ā Presence SensingParker AutomationĀ --Ā Servo MotorParker HannifinĀ --Ā Ball Screw/Lead ScrewParker HannifinĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlidePhoenix ContactĀ --Ā Power SupplyPilz Automation SafetyĀ --Ā Safety RelayProface/Xycom AutomationĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceRed LionĀ --Ā Panel MeterRed LionĀ --Ā Loop ControllerRittalĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure, Non-MetallicRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Data AcquisitionRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā HMI SoftwareRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Input/Output SystemRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Light TowerRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā Operator InterfaceRockwell AutomationĀ --Ā PLC Programming SoftwareSchneider ElectricĀ --Ā Industrial Electric Motor DriveSiemens/MilltronicsĀ --Ā Level MeasurementSMCĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideStahlinĀ --Ā Industrial Enclosure, Non-MetallicTHKĀ --Ā Linear Actuator/SlideTurckĀ --Ā Industrial Electrical ConnectorWago --Ā Input/Output SystemWeidmullerĀ --Ā Terminal Block
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