In 1996, B&R successfully introduced Automation Studio™, an integrated Windows® development environment for control, visualization, motion and communication that provides customers with production and service support during programming and commissioning. Automation Studio™ provides scalability, a multi-platform capability, and the flexibility to meet all programming requirements. From the simplest machine to the most complex process, this single configuration and programming tool covers all tasks and system platforms. Automation Studio™ is used to configure, program, commission, diagnose, and maintain automation solutions. This software covers the areas of open and closed loop control, positioning, visualization, and communication.
All system components as well as the entire application including the visualization and drives are managed and configured as components. Its open and modular architecture has allowed B&R to offer a trendsetting platform for open automation in all areas.Important components of this open architecture:
- Standardized, open data management with XML.
- Object-oriented projects support simple configurations for powerful tasks.
- Automation topology is displayed intuitively in both logical and physical forms.
- Support for 3rd-party components by integrating standards.
- In addition to the integrated visualization and motion control, Automation Studio™ also offers a natural environment for integrating into the entire production process, including ECAD and ERP systems.
- Based on standard interfaces, the "software on demand" philosophy allows machines from an ERP system to be represented without additional configuration by integrating ECAD data.
- By explicitly supporting concurrent engineering and different machine types, B&R guarantees the highest levels of productivity under realistic development conditions.
- An integrated software version management system ensures safety as well as professional work among team members.
- Open Automation Net communication architecture for applications and service regardless of the physical structure being used.
- Seamless integration of standards such as ETHERNET Powerlink, CanOpen, Profibus DP, and DeviceNet (coming soon).
- In addition to IEC 61131-3 languages, Automation Studio™ also offers the high-level C programming language, seamlessly integrated with all IEC languages and function blocks.
All formats can be documented and generated, ensuring investments and remaining open to updates.
B&R has placed special emphasis on not relying on complex IEC syntax expansions that don't conform to the standard.
Instead, the following philosophy takes precedence: Simple component configuration instead of complex language syntax.
This makes it considerably easier to structure software functions with machine functions.
Importing EDS and GSD descriptions allows components from other manufacturers to be configured and used with the same ease as B&R components.
Barriers to updates are removed, allowing them to remain within IEC standards.
