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https://www.reddit.com/r/PLC/comments/jawlkd/br_automation_studio_access/

B&R Automation Studio access
Is there a way to get a copy of B&R Automation Studio without being an active customer of B&R? Been looking into learning other PLC software. Starting a new job which requires being familiar with TIA Portal. Not a bad system but SCL drives me nuts. It's nearly structured text but not quite. Trying to learn other systems which are similar to what I already know (Pilz PAS4000, Beckhoff)


You just download it. When you install it, it will say you don't have a key and there is a link in that dialog to the form to request a 90-day trial key. I assume it is an automated system, but you get the key after about 20mins instead of instantly. When that key runs out, you can request a new one; they'll just keep giving you keys unless they really think you're abusing the system.

EDIT: To be clear, you can download everything from B&R's website in one of the easiest to navigate and better organized download sections of any brand. https://www.br-automation.com/en-us/downloads/. Select Software -> Automation Studio -> Automation Studio 4.8 and click on the first link to download it (8Gb!)

Automation Studio 4.0 can be installed without a license, you can download it here https://www.br-automation.com/en/downloads/#categories=Software-1344987434933/Automation+Studio-1344987435049/Automation+Studio+4.0-1344987435989.

The newer versions of AS mostly add Mapp functionality, changes to OPC-UA connectivity, MappView HMI (4.0 only has the outdated Visual Components HMI, but that still has its uses) and access to newer hardware. But AS4.0 has most of the functionality to get you familiar with programming for B&R PLC's and servo drives. Maybe higher versions have become free by now, I'm only aware of 4.0 and below because B&R changed their licensing system a few years ago.

You can run newer versions of Automation Studio with a trial license, it lasts 30 days and it only counts down when you start the program. SafeDesigner, the software to program safety PLC's can only be used with a license or as a trial.

Yes, and it's easy: go to the official website, section Services/Software Registration. You can request a free 90 day evaluation licence there. It will be processed instantaneously and you'll receive a code. They are very lenient, so feel free to extend it as many times as you need.

Note that there is one functionality disabled: the updater. Usually you can use it to automatically find newer versions for your hardware's firmware and B&R's software packages (Motion, mapp...). You can still download and install everything manually from the website, but it's very cumbersome in comparison.