Connected Components Workbench 21

Connected Components Workbench 21 is Rockwell Automation’s integrated engineering environment for standalone machine control. It combines the programming tools for Micro800 controllers, the screen designer for PanelView 800 graphic terminals, and the configuration suite for PowerFlex and SMC drives in a single installation — one project, one toolchain, from logic and visualization to motion and diagnostics, purpose-built for OEM machine builders who ship compact, cost-sensitive equipment.

Core Functions. Ladder diagram, function block, and structured text editors cover the entire Micro800 family, from the Micro810 and Micro820 to the Micro850 and the high-performance Micro870 with two-axis integrated motion. A built-in simulator executes logic with no controller attached, while the debug workbench adds online monitoring, variable forcing, cross-reference search, and trend charts. The PanelView 800 designer creates HMI screens that reuse controller tags directly, so addresses are never re-entered. The Drive Operator Interface Tool configures PowerFlex 520- and 750-series drives and SMC smart motor controllers, with smart parameter sets, one-click backup and restore of drive profiles, and guided start-up wizards. The firmware manager flashes matching firmware across controllers and terminals, project compare and export keep documentation and version control clean, and reusable user-defined function blocks cut repeat engineering across machine families. Modbus RTU/TCP, EtherNet/IP, and CIP Serial connectivity round out the integration picture, and a common tag database keeps controller, drive, and HMI references consistent across the whole machine.

New in Version 21. Micro870 motion gets smoother camming and improved registration for packaging and indexing applications. The PanelView 800 toolchain gains expanded language support and refreshed graphic libraries. The drive catalog is updated with the latest PowerFlex 523 and 525 variants, project conversion between Micro800 controller families is faster and more reliable, and large programs open noticeably quicker. Windows 11 compatibility is refined, the device discovery dialog refreshes faster on multi-network machines, and Rockwell’s accumulated maintenance fixes from earlier releases are rolled in.

Supported Systems. Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64-bit, with Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or later. Supported targets include the full Micro800 controller family, PanelView 800 graphic terminals, and PowerFlex 520/750-series and SMC drives. Projects from earlier Connected Components Workbench releases open directly; publishing to a controller requires the matching firmware shipped with this version. Recommended: 8 GB RAM and 10 GB of free disk space. No additional license manager is required; the environment installs side by side with Studio 5000 Logix Designer without interference.

Only need the installer? Members can download the software installer alone with points on the companion page: Connected Components Workbench 21 — download with points. The points download includes the installer only; it does not include the activation license or the installation tutorial videos.

Written installation guide: Connected Components Workbench 21 Download — step-by-step screenshots on our tutorial site.