ABB Automation Builder 1.1 automation development suite

Automation Builder 1.1 provides an integrated development environment for solutions using the spectrum of automation components — including PLCs and safety PLCs, motion controllers, drives, robots and HMIs — reducing software complexity and cutting time to market and cost of ownership.

The latest release of ABB’s software extends the data exchange capabilities with electrical planning and engineering software, with a bidirectional interface to EPLAN Electric P8. Electrical automation and PLC design data may be imported, modified and transferred back to the electrical CAD environment, eliminating any need to manually enter data and thereby ensuring synchronisation of signal identification between the two software environments. A comparison function also allows engineers to see what might have changed since they last looked at a project, and the ability to use profiles of previous development tool versions for compatibility.

ABB is also introducing an easy-to-use download and licensing system. ABB offers three licensing options: a basic free version suitable for first time PLC users and engineers working on smaller-scale automation, motion and drive projects; a standard version which supports integrated engineering of advanced and complex systems including the use of safety PLCs; and a premium version.

The premium version incorporates C/C+ programming tools, E-CAD interfaces and other high-level features for optimal productivity and easy collaboration, and simpler management of engineering data on large-scale projects involving thousands of I/O points.

Users may also automatically update the suite of software tools to the latest versions using a ‘one click’ mechanism.