ABB Automation Builder
ABB Automation Builder is an integrated software suite providing a unified development environment for configuring, programming, and managing PLC, safety, drive, and control components in industrial automation systems.
Automation Studio
Automation Studio is a unified engineering software environment that provides a single tool for controlling, visualizing, and configuring all your industrial automation components and robotic systems in one place.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Automation Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | br-automation.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 90 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1988 | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Eggelsberg, Austria |
Overview
ABB Automation Builder
ABB Automation Builder provides you with a single, integrated software environment to manage your entire automation project. Instead of switching between multiple tools, you can configure, program, and troubleshoot PLCs, safety controllers, drives, and control panels from one interface. This unified approach helps you reduce engineering time and minimize the risk of integration errors during complex machine builds.
You can streamline your development process using standardized CODESYS programming and extensive libraries for motion control and robotics. Whether you are building a standalone machine or managing a large-scale industrial plant, the software scales to meet your technical requirements. It helps you maintain consistency across your hardware lifecycle while ensuring your safety and motion parameters are perfectly synchronized.
Automation Studio
Automation Studio is the integrated engineering environment for B&R automation components. You can manage every aspect of your machine's lifecycle—from controller programming and drive configuration to HMI design and safety functions—within a single workspace. This unified approach eliminates the need to switch between different tools, helping you reduce development time and maintain consistency across your entire hardware fleet.
You can develop complex applications using standard languages like C, C++, or IEC 61131-3 while simulating your entire machine in a virtual environment before any hardware arrives. This allows you to catch errors early and optimize performance without risking physical equipment. Whether you are building high-speed packaging lines or complex robotic cells, the platform provides the modularity you need to scale your designs efficiently.
Overview
ABB Automation Builder Features
- Unified Engineering Configure your PLCs, drives, and control panels within a single project file to ensure data consistency across your system.
- Standardized Programming Write your logic once using CODESYS-based languages and reuse code across different hardware platforms to save development time.
- Virtual Commissioning Test your automation logic against a digital twin before physical hardware arrives to catch errors early and reduce site risks.
- Integrated Safety Design and verify your functional safety requirements directly within the suite to meet strict industrial compliance standards easily.
- Drive Integration Set up and tune your industrial drives directly from the PLC environment without needing separate serial cables or software.
- Extensive Libraries Access pre-built function blocks for motion control, water treatment, and solar tracking to accelerate your specific industry applications.
Automation Studio Features
- Unified Engineering. Configure your controllers, drives, HMI, and safety components in one environment to ensure total system compatibility.
- Hardware Simulation. Test your code on a virtual twin of your machine to identify bugs and optimize cycles without physical hardware.
- Multi-Language Support. Write your logic in C, C++, or any IEC 61131-3 language to match your team's existing programming expertise.
- Modular Software Architecture. Create reusable software components that you can easily deploy across different machine variants to save development time.
- Integrated Diagnostics. Access real-time system data and trace variables remotely to troubleshoot performance issues and minimize machine downtime.
- Visual HMI Design. Build modern, web-based operator interfaces using drag-and-drop tools that look great on any industrial touch screen.
Pricing Comparison
ABB Automation Builder Pricing
- Engineering for AC500-eCo PLCs
- Drive configuration tools
- Control panel programming
- Standard CODESYS editors
- Basic hardware configuration
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Full AC500 PLC support
- Integrated safety configuration
- Advanced network diagnostics
- Productivity library access
Automation Studio Pricing
Pros & Cons
ABB Automation Builder
Pros
- Single environment reduces software management overhead
- Excellent integration with ABB hardware ecosystems
- CODESYS foundation makes programming familiar for engineers
- Strong virtual commissioning tools reduce startup time
Cons
- License management can be complex for teams
- Hardware requirements for the software are high
- Steep learning curve for the professional features
Automation Studio
Pros
- Single environment for all hardware components
- Excellent simulation capabilities reduce commissioning time
- Supports standard high-level programming languages
- Highly stable performance for complex machinery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Proprietary to B&R hardware ecosystems
- Documentation can be dense for beginners