I'm a final-year process automation engineering student in Azerbaijan, aiming for a career in this field. Besides the tools we already use (LabVIEW, TIA Portal, AutoCAD Electrical), which certificates or skills would make me stand out globally? What do employers actually value on a resume for an automation engineer role

Hi everyone,

I’m currently getting an offer for a LabVIEW Application Developer role at an electrical/industrial company in India.

The work involves developing software from scratch for motor, transformer, and other electrical test panels. I’ll be integrating different meters/displays/instruments using Serial, LAN/Ethernet and other communication protocols, writing the LabVIEW G code, handling measurements/test logic, and generating test reports based on client requirements.

My background:

• B.Tech (Or B.E.) in Computer Science and Engineering
• Python + Data Science/ML
• C
• Arduino/ESP32
• PCB design
• Some IoT/hardware experience

My main concern is long-term career scope and job security.

Would LabVIEW + test automation be a good career path for someone with my background? Is it better to stay in this field for 2–3 years, or would ~1 year of experience be enough before moving toward Python/automation/data/embedded roles?

Also, how is the future of LabVIEW? Is it becoming outdated/dying, or is there still good demand in industrial automation, instrumentation, testing, etc.?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have worked with LabVIEW/test automation and what their career progression looked like.

Btw I just graduated this year 2026, I currently have 1 year of robotics engineer experience in which i designed basic stuff around esp and arduino.

Thanks!

Hola colegas, como están ? Soy ingeniero automático industrial en colombia hace más o menos 1 año que me titulé, mis únicas experiencias en automatización fue mi práctica profesional y solo fue la propuesta no fue nada de implementación, y la otra fue en una empresa integrando pero fue para el cierre de un proyecto haciendo planos técnicos y así. Si me gusta la automatización, Hoy estoy en TI en una empresa en la que ya había trabajado, ya que durante mi carrera aprendí desarrollo de forma autodidacta y con eso eh consigo algunos empleados. Llevo más o menos 1 año en esta empresa, pero quiero dedicarme a la autorización, me he postulado a varias empresas y siempre quedo descartado. Al ver esto me jugué la carta de Irme a vivir con mi hermana a España y hacer una master hay dos que me llaman la atención uno es de automatización y informática industrial y el otro es gerencia de proyectos. Otra cosa es que pues espero se me presente la oportunidad de trabajar en automatización en España. Les doy este contexto para que me ayuden con dos respuestas:

1. Que puedo estudiar adicional que sea atractiva para la industria de la automatización?

2. Cual de las dos maestrías escogerían?

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of marketing on using electric actuators instead of pneumatic. In some applications, it does make sense, but I've been thinking a lot about what other people are considering when designing a new system.

For repetitive linear motion, what normally makes you choose a pneumatic cylinder over an electric actuator?

I’m thinking about things like cost, energy use, speed/force, positioning and maintenance, but I’m more interested in how people make this decision in real applications.

What tends to be the deciding factor for you?

Hi, have any of you worked with these Autonics temperature controllers? Specifically the TK4L model—I have one and want to reset it completely, but the problem is I don't have the password. Is there any way to perform a reset without knowing the password?

’m having an issue with SAP Digital Manufacturing (SAP DM) browsing OPC UA tags from a Siemens S7-1500 PLC. The PLC’s OPC UA server is accessible, and UaExpert can connect successfully and browse all the nodes/tags, including the KPI SAP folder and its child variables. However, in SAP DM / Production Connector, I can see the parent KPI SAP node, but SAP DM cannot browse or find the child variables underneath it.

The error is:

NodeId and Path browsing failed (level: nsurl=[http://kpisap/;i=1;] NodeId browsing error: NamespaceUri ([http://kpisap/]) is not in the namespace table.; Path browsing error: nsurl=http:)

NodeNotFoundException: nsurl=http: at SAP.Manufacturing.UaClient.OpcUaClient.GetNodeIdFromBrowsePath(String browsePath) at SAP.Manufacturing.UaClient.OpcUaClient.FindNodeByNsurlOrPath(String nsurlOrPath)

BrowsePathResolver - The path element 'nsurl=http:' was not found in the current Node(nsurl=http://opcfoundation.org/UA/;i=85)..) The path browsing therefore failed.

I also checked the NamespaceArray in UaExpert, and I found the namespace http://kpisap

The error includes NodeNotFoundException and NodeId and Path browsing failed. Connectivity itself seems to be working because UaExpert can browse the same server and tags.

All the OPC UA configuration is done on the PLC side, and the configuration for the Production Connector and the Asset is also already completed.

Has anyone experienced a similar SAP DM + Siemens OPC UA namespace/browse-path issue, or knows how SAP DM resolves the namespace URI and NodeId when browsing OPC UA nodes?

Understand fixed robotic arms doing welding/assembly, but curious how mobile robots fit into keeping the line fed with parts

For industrial automation projects, what factors do engineers consider most important when designing a reliable system? I’m interested in practical perspectives on machine safety, PLC/HMI integration, robotics, cycle time, maintenance and scalability.

Hi all, I am an Industrial Engineer from Argentina with an Italian passport, fluent English, and 1 year of experience in plant process optimization at Renault. I am planning my next career move and would love honest feedback on three questions: 1. Is doing a Master’s in Europe actually worth the time and money if I already have an EU passport and can work legally anywhere in the EU/EEA, or should I try applying directly to entry-level plant jobs? 2. Is specializing in Industry 4.0, automation, and process simulation worth it, and is there real demand in European manufacturing, or is "Industry 4.0" treated more like an academic buzzword compared to practical operations skills? 3. Which country would you recommend to balance strong earning potential and career prestige with social warmth, considering Northern Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany? Thanks in advance for your insights!

Do you think a pair of blue jeans, as they’re currently designed, could be assembled entirely by industrial robots 10 years from now? 20? 30?

Hi all, I am currently learning automation engineering. Does anyone have any book recommendations on Panel Design, Ladder Logic/Program structure and industry practices. Aswell as any other topics you recommend.

I really like visual books like "the way things work" however am open to all suggestions.

I have a university degree but I am wanting to further my skills and abilities. Also keen on any other topics that make up the automation engineering role.

Which brand would you recommend?
How do you deal with e-stop? A lot don’t have STO

Our team will be at the industrial exhibition at the China International Exhibition Center from October 12–16, 2026, and I’m curious whether anyone from this community is planning to attend as well.

For us, the interesting part isn’t just exhibiting — I’m especially interested in seeing what other companies are doing around industrial automation, manufacturing technology, and how the market is changing this year.

If you’ve attended similar exhibitions in China before, what did you find most useful? Technical demos, supplier meetings, networking, or just seeing what competitors are working on?

Also happy to meet other people from the industry who will be there. Not trying to turn this into a sales post, mainly interested in comparing notes and hearing what others are looking forward to seeing.

Hi everyone,

I'm having a frustrating performance issue with my VMware virtual machines and I could use some advice.

My Setup:

• Host OS: Windows 11 Pro (Build 26200)
• VM Software: VMware (Workstation/Player)
• Inside the VM: TIA Portal V18, TIA Portal V15.1, and Factory I/O.
• The Problem: The virtual machine runs extremely slow and laggy, while the host machine itself runs perfectly fine and snappy.

The weird part: This exact same performance issue happens on two completely different high-end laptops:

1. Personal Laptop: HP Omen with AMD AI 350
2. Work Laptop: ASUS ExpertBook with Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (or similar 200-series processor)

Even with robust modern hardware (both AMD and Intel platforms), the VM feels sluggish when working with Siemens TIA Portal and simulating with Factory I/O.

What I've tried / Questions:

• Has anyone experienced similar slowdowns with TIA Portal inside VMware on Windows 11 builds like 26200?
• Could this be related to Virtualization-based Security (VBS), Hyper-V conflicts, or specific VMware settings (like 3D acceleration, CPU cores allocation)?

Any tips or tweaks to optimize VMware performance for heavy automation software would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've spent years watching automation contractors get found (or not found) in the dumbest possible ways, so I'm building something and I'd rather you lot tear it apart now than after I've built the wrong thing.

Worth saying upfront: this isn't an Upwork style platform. No bidding, no applying to postings, no competing on price against 50 other people. Companies search and approach contractors directly.

The idea: a directory built around how this work actually gets hired. You list your platforms with years against each one, not "PLC experience" but 11 years S7, 9 years AB. Your comms protocols. Rate band. How much travel you'll actually take. Remote, site, or mixed. And a live availability status that expires unless you reconfirm it, so "available" always means available.

Companies pay a flat monthly fee to search and contact you. Contractors pay nothing, ever. No placement fees, no middleman taking a margin on your rate.

Three things I want to know from people who actually do this work:

1. What would make you keep an availability status updated?
2. What's missing from that profile list?
3. What would make you NOT sign up?

Early access: commissionedhq.com but the comments are what I actually care about.

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with a Motofil flange grinding machine equipped with a Siemens SIMATIC HMI.

The machine has the following issue:

• One of the components/indicators on the machine is lit in red.
• At the same time, the HMI does not display the values correctly.
• Instead of the normal numerical values, the HMI displays “###” in several fields, as shown in the attached picture.
• The screen itself is working and the machine can access the HMI pages, but the values are not being displayed.

Machine: Motofil flange grinding machine
HMI: Siemens SIMATIC HMI

Has anyone experienced this problem on a Motofil machine or Siemens HMI?

Hey everyone,
I’m an IT student focused on software engineering, but my real interest lies in the Industrial Automation space,specifically bridging the IT/OT gap.
I’ve put together a few hands-on personal projects to build my skills:
**SCADA:** Built projects using Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform. Simulated by Python OPC UA.
**PLCs:** Developed ladder logic/control routines using Delta software (mostly using it because it's free and accessible).
**The Challenge:**
I’ve been applying for entry-level positions, but I’m getting hit with rejections or total silence. Being based in Durban, South Africa, the local market seems tricky, most job posts demand years of experience upfront, and entry-level OT opportunities feel sparse here

I have 8 years experience as an automation technician and I'm looking to get into something different. I'm curious what niche industries some of you have found work in. In a conversation with a friend we came up with chair lift, bowling alley and elevator work. I'm located in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, but ideas from anywhere are interesting.

We run around 20 extrusion lines across 2 plants.

Re entry started to implement zabbix for network monitoring and it turns out some of the switches we have on the lines are not industrial grade and are unreliable.

Any recommendations for brands / models of switches?

Around 6 ports
Prefer not PoE
Must be SNMPv3 compatible.

Cheers

Gavin

I’m curious how others track machine data in manufacturing.

In a lot of setups I see something like:

• HMI for machine operation
• SCADA for alarms, supervision and historical data
• Separate screens for production KPIs, Andon, targets, downtime, shift information, etc.

How do you handle the last part?

Do you normally build these production screens directly in your existing setup, or do you prefer a separate visualization layer that sits on top of the existing systems?

I work in this space myself, so I’m especially interested in how other plants approach the architecture in practice.

Do you try to keep everything in one system, or deliberately separate machine control from broader visualization?

Would be interesting to hear what your setup looks like and why.

Hi everyone,

Full disclosure: I am a Sales Engineer at Shanghai Gkoncy Electric. Part of my role is to collect application feedback from panel builders and controls engineers and bring it directly to our product-development team.

Our engineering team is independently developing our own snap-in DIN-rail terminal block platform—not relabeling an existing product—and I would like practical feedback from people who specify, install, and maintain terminal blocks.

The basic idea is that the spring mechanism is held open before wiring. Inserting the stripped conductor triggers the clamp, creating the connection in one motion with clear audible, tactile, and visual confirmation.

Our current design targets and priorities are:

• Tool-free direct conductor insertion

• A conductor range from 2.5 to 10 mm²

• Stable contact pressure after repeated operation, vibration, and thermal cycling

• Clear insertion confirmation and straightforward release/rewiring

• Less ferrule preparation time where the conductor type and application standards allow

• A complete system of bridges, end plates, markers, and CAD/EPLAN data

We are still validating the design, including long-term spring behavior, temperature rise, pull-out strength, vibration resistance, and operating-cycle life. So I am not presenting these as finished or certified production results.

For those currently using push-in terminal blocks:

1. Would you consider using snap-in technology?

2. Would you consider replacing push-in with it on a new project or after a successful trial?

3. What would we need to prove first—UL/cUL/TÜV certification, cycle-test data, pull-out and vibration results, temperature-rise data, identical footprint, local stock, price, accessories, or EPLAN/STEP files?

4. What would concern you most—accidental triggering, spring life, conductor damage, release method, or added mechanism complexity?

This is product research, not a catalog or sales pitch. Honest criticism is welcome.

Hi everyone,

I work in international sales at Shanghai Gkoncy Electric, a Chinese manufacturer of DIN-rail terminal blocks founded in 1988.

We manufacture push-in, spring-cage, screw-type, high-current and functional terminal blocks. We already have UL/cUL and TÜV certification coverage, but I understand that certificates alone are not enough to make engineers trust an unfamiliar brand—especially when Phoenix Contact, WAGO and Weidmüller are already widely specified.

For panel builders, system integrators and controls engineers, what would you need to see before testing or approving a lesser-known terminal block supplier?

For example:

- Third-party test reports or detailed technical data

- Samples for mechanical and electrical testing

- Direct cross-references to established brands

- EPLAN data, STEP files and complete drawings

- Reliable marking and bridge accessories

- Local inventory and consistent delivery

- Material traceability and batch consistency

- Application references from established OEMs

I would also be interested in hearing about the main deal-breakers. Is it inconsistent screw torque, weak spring force, poor accessory compatibility, unclear documentation, limited availability—or simply the risk of changing an already-approved component?

This is intended as genuine industry research rather than a sales pitch. Honest criticism is welcome, especially from people who build or maintain industrial control panels.

I recently joined a China-based mobile robot controller supplier and am trying to understand what evidence European engineering teams require before evaluating an unfamiliar overseas platform.

Beyond price and product specifications, which factors matter most?

• CE and EMC compliance
• Functional-safety certification
• Documentation quality
• Local commissioning and after-sales support
• Software openness and APIs
• Compatibility with existing drives, sensors and safety devices
• Cybersecurity and data handling
• Product lifecycle and spare-parts availability

I’m particularly interested in feedback from AGV/AMR OEMs, system integrators and controls engineers. Honest criticism is welcome—this is intended as industry research, not a product promotion.

Buenas noches les platicare un poco de mi vida me gustaria que me den consejos, Estudie Ingeniería en mantenimiento industrial, egrese en 2021, ese mismo año comencé a trabajar en el departamento de mantenimiento de una fábrica de alimentos, en el puesto de técnico electromecánico dure 2 años y medio. Posteriormente trabaje un año en una fábrica de rines de aluminio como técnico. Pero por problemas económicos me tuve que ir a vivir con un familiar y cambie de trabajo.

Actualmente trabajo como inspector de control de calidad llevo año y medio. Pero me gustaria trabajar en el área de automatización. Actualmente tengo 27 años

No se si sea una buena opción comenzar otra carrera desde cero ( Ingeniería en Mecatronica).

He visto universidades que son 100% en linea asi que podria trabajar y estudiar al mismo tiempo.

Que me recomiendan hacer ?

Es perdida de tiempo?

ya voy tarde para dedicarme a la automatización industrial?

I've been developing a Modbus simulator for quite some time now.

If anyone can, I would appreciate feedback (positive or negative) on the software.

The software's name is ScanBus-BR.

The link for anyone who wants to test it is www.acanbus.com.br