Automation Studio
PCB design software
Simulation & CAE software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Automation Studio
Automation Studio is an engineering simulation and design environment used to model, simulate, and document industrial systems such as hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical controls, and automation circuits. It is typically used by automation engineers, system designers, and educators to validate system behavior, size components, and generate technical documentation. The product combines multi-technology schematic capture with dynamic simulation and supports building complete system models that mix fluid power and electrical/control elements.
Multi-domain system simulation
Automation Studio supports modeling across hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, and control domains within a single project. This helps teams evaluate interactions between subsystems without switching tools. It is well-suited to machine and industrial automation use cases where fluid power and electrical control must be simulated together.
Schematic-centric workflow
The product centers on schematic diagrams for building and understanding system models. This approach aligns with how many automation and maintenance teams document real-world equipment. It can reduce the gap between design, simulation, and service documentation compared with tools that focus primarily on 3D mechanical CAD.
Documentation and training fit
Automation Studio is commonly used for technical documentation and instructional labs because models can be used to demonstrate system behavior. Simulation results can support troubleshooting and concept validation. This makes it practical for organizations that need both engineering validation and training materials from the same source.
Not a PCB design tool
Despite the broad “CAD” label, Automation Studio is not primarily aimed at PCB layout, board-level design rules, or manufacturing outputs such as Gerbers and pick-and-place. Teams doing electronics design typically still require dedicated PCB design software for layout and fabrication deliverables. Its strengths are closer to industrial system schematics and simulation than board design.
Limited mechanical CAD depth
Automation Studio does not compete with full mechanical CAD platforms for parametric part modeling, assemblies, and detailed mechanical drawings. If a project requires tight integration with 3D mechanical design and downstream manufacturing workflows, users often need separate mechanical CAD tools. This can add process overhead for multidisciplinary teams.
Ecosystem and integrations vary
Integration breadth (e.g., PLM/PDM, ECAD-MCAD collaboration, and broad third-party library ecosystems) is typically narrower than in large, general-purpose CAD/CAE suites. Availability of specialized component libraries and vendor-specific content may depend on licensing and regional support. Organizations may need to invest time in library management and custom symbol/model creation.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resell (single-user, perpetual) — 0TG.SNG.01-01 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Intended for resale to machine/plant operators; stored on Technology Guard (dongle); enables maintenance/diagnostics; does not support creating new projects or Internet upgrades; does not expire. |
| Single-user (dongle, 1 year) — 1TGSWAS.SNG.00-01 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Allows exactly one user for 1 year; license stored on Technology Guard (dongle); auto-renews annually unless canceled; Technology Guard not included. |
| Single-user (software-locked, 1 year) — 1TGSWAS.SNG.00-02 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | One-user license tied to a computer (non-transferable) for 1 year; auto-renews annually; supported from version 4.9. |
| Resell (software-locked, perpetual) — 1TGSWAS.SNG.01-02 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Resell single-user license stored in software container (non-transferable); does not expire; supported from version 4.9; intended for machine/plant operators; limited to maintenance/diagnostics. |
| Corporate (site-wide, 1 year) — 1TGSWAS.CRP.00-01 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Allows use by all users at a company across all company sites for 1 year; licensed via Internet activation; auto-extended yearly unless canceled. |
| Site license — 1TGSWAS.STE.00-01 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Permits any number of users at a single company location; activation via Internet; 1-year term with automatic extension unless canceled. |
| Educational (site, 400 days) — 1TGSWAS.STE.E0-01 | Not published on official site — contact B&R or authorized distributor | Research/educational use at an educational facility; expires after 400 calendar days and cannot be extended; includes use on private student PCs if permitted; not for commercial use. |
Notes: Official B&R product page lists license types and material numbers but does not publish list prices; procurement is typically through B&R / authorized distributors.
Seller details
Famic Technologies Inc.
Montreal, QC, Canada
1986
Private
https://www.famictech.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/famic-technologies-inc/
