Rockwell Automation, a company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has unveiled FactoryTalk Design Workbench, a new free software platform designed to help engineers and system integrators design, program, and troubleshoot micro control systems more efficiently.
The cloud-enabled application provides a unified workspace for configuring and programming Micro800 controllers, offering an intuitive interface that reduces setup time and accelerates project deployment. By consolidating programming, configuration, and diagnostic tools into a single environment, FactoryTalk Design Workbench simplifies how engineers create and maintain control systems across multiple industrial applications.
Targeted at small to mid-sized machine builders and system designers, the software streamlines workflows in industries such as packaging, material handling, water and wastewater management, and agriculture—where cost efficiency and rapid deployment are critical. It also allows users to test logic and configurations in real time, improving accuracy while minimizing downtime and engineering overhead.
FactoryTalk Design Workbench can be accessed through Rockwell Automation’s Product Compatibility & Downloads Center, providing users with a seamless download and installation experience. The initial release supports Micro800 controllers, with future updates expected to expand compatibility across additional devices and control architectures within Rockwell’s ecosystem.
By making the platform free and accessible, Rockwell aims to lower barriers to entry for automation development and support the next generation of industrial innovators. The launch reflects the company’s broader strategy to accelerate digital transformation in manufacturing by integrating intelligent design tools, scalable automation software, and connected operations under its FactoryTalk suite.
KEY QUOTE:
“FactoryTalk Design Workbench is our next-generation design environment for micro control systems, delivering a productive, more reliable, and familiar experience for users of Rockwell Automation products. With a scalable architecture, it simplifies workflows and lays the foundation for broader device integration in the future.”
Wan Shan Loo, Product Manager, Rockwell Automation
