Digital transformation is one of the major challenges that the shipping industry, among others, will have to overcome. At the world’s leading maritime industry trade show, the SMM 2022 in Hamburg (from 6 to 9 September), Rittal and Eplan have shown how data consistency can be achieved in shipbuilding; from planning to engineering and production through to operation. The latest enclosure, power distribution, climate control and IT infrastructure solutions that ensure greater operational reliability in the maritime ecosystem have also been presented.
How can you create complete, functional digital twins from a single component and even an entire ship? Eplan, the engineering solution provider, is offering the maritime industry the chance to design and display the entire ship’s operating technology within a data-based system landscape based on the Eplan Platform. This applies to the areas of process engineering, climate control and ventilation, as well as pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical engineering.
Digital workflows in plant engineering
Eplan and Rittal are also supporting their customers in plant engineering and operation with digital solutions, system technology and automation solutions. Panel building and switchgear manufacturers benefit from consistent workflows along the entire value chain from engineering to production and commissioning to plant operation. With “Rittal ePocket”, the digital wiring plan pocket, the companies are showing how the “life cycle file” of control and switchgear systems is now moving to the cloud. By scanning a QR code on the enclosure, users can easily access the system documentation, including the digital twin. In the event of a fault or modification, maintenance engineers and those responsible for machinery and plants have full transparency and readily available data so they can make the right decisions.
Robust and secure infrastructure
With its VX25 and AX maritime-certified enclosure platforms – made of sheet steel, stainless steel and plastic – Rittal is also showing how to meet the maritime industry’s stringent requirements in terms of operational safety. Among other things, there is a VX25 enclosure specially configured for shipbuilding with more resistance to marine vibrations, and equipped with an air/water heat exchanger and fan-and-filter unit. If energy-efficient cooling units are needed in a maritime environment, trade fair visitors can find out more about Rittal’s Blue e+ series, which can save 75 percent of energy.
The VX25 Ri4Power low-voltage switchgear system, newly certified for maritime use in accordance with DNV, provides answers to requirements that are particularly important in shipbuilding: safety and speed. DNV certification helps later on with overall certification, so saving time.
Rittal has also exhibited CS Toptec-based rugged outdoor enclosure solutions and outdoor enclosures for AX enclosures; these are used, for example, for power applications on land to supply electrical power to ships.
Its portfolio for IT infrastructures ranges from IT racks and IT cooling to power distribution and monitoring.
Rittal showed how huge efficiency gains can be achieved in production and operation based on standardized platform solutions.