Continuously and consistently available data from engineering to production is a must for successful companies in the era of Industry 4.0. Yet to what extent have business processes in engineering already been digitized? For the first time ever, EPLAN is offering its customers individualised process consulting live at the SPS IPC Drives in Nuremberg. The solutions provider will also be presenting the latest developments in engineering together with its affiliate CIDDON – including the EPLAN Platform, Version 2.8 and the cloud software Store Share View, the new name of which will be revealed at the trade show. There will also be joint presentations with Rittal on universal concepts for an integrated value chain.
Monheim, Germany, 22 October 2018 – “Are your processes already fully digitised?” EPLAN is pointedly asking its customers this key question with regard to their engineering and is offering direct process consultations at the SPS IPC Drives 2018 in Nuremberg. A concept area has been integrated into the centre of the stand, marking a true highlight: companies can examine their engineering processes on site with the EPLAN experts. The consultants work out a “big picture” overview of the current situation with the customer and highlight initial optimisation potential in the engineering landscape, its processes and data flows. This is something that decision-makers can take with them right away, resulting in valuable solution approaches that make automation technology processes in mechanical engineering and plant construction better over the long term. Once again, a visit to the trade show results in productive knowledge transfer that shows future-proof potentials that ultimately pay off.
EPLAN Platform, Version 2.8
Shortly before its release, EPLAN is also presenting the new Platform 2.8. Users benefit from enhancements and upgrades in the areas of configuration, bus data and round-trip engineering with Siemens TIA Portal. The CAE solution EPLAN Electric P8 also surprises with a completely new user interface and an integrated user portal. SPS IPC Drives attendees can additionally expect numerous possibilities for switching out placed devices or even entire control cabinet housings in the new professional version of EPLAN Pro Panel. Not to mention the true precision landing – the automatic migration of TS8-based projects to the new Rittal VX25 large enclosure system.
Integrated value chain: “Wiring” as a use case
Using the example of control cabinet wiring, Rittal and EPLAN will be demonstrating how the manufacturing process in control cabinet and switchgear engineering can be industrialised through digitisation, standardisation and automation. The pathway from schematic creation to designing the wiring in 3D, automatic manufacturing of the individual wires and, finally, installation and testing is vividly presented. Taken together, this enables long-lasting increases in productivity and quality. EPLAN and Rittal will also be exhibiting integrated solutions along the entire value chain: from supplying digital device data and product configurators, to the engineering and preplanning process – where the digital twin of the control cabinet is created – to digitally connected production. Another highlight is the presentation of the Wire Terminal WT by Rittal Automation Systems, a new wire processing machine for fully automatic wire processing for various conductor cross-sections. Furthermore, Rittal and EPLAN will be presenting the services of their Value Chain Consulting for products and solutions.
New cloud software available soon
The software Store Share View – the first stage of EPLAN’s new cloud concept – had its first appearance at the Hannover Messe in April, where it was shown as a sneak preview. At this year’s SPS IPC Drives, EPLAN will be presenting the innovative cloud software under a new name. The solution will be available in a few weeks time and, with the release of EPLAN Platform 2.8, users will be able to view, comment on and share projects directly in the cloud for the first time. While this functionality considerably increases the opportunities provided by connectivity and collaboration in engineering, Store Share View also marks the first milestone in cloud-to-cloud connections that EPLAN is presenting using the example of new application scenarios in maintenance. The goal of the EPLAN Service & Maintenance Showcase is to make the principles of mechatronic engineering come alive via tablet.
The right programme for everyone
Interesting events round off EPLAN and CIDDON’s trade show appearance in Nuremberg. Component manufacturers are being invited to network on the first day of the trade show at the EPLAN Data Portal Brunch. Users can look forward to getting their money’s worth – naturally free of charge – at workshops on building automation and automation in engineering. And last but not least, a presentation on Digital Collaboration 4.0 in Engineering will be on the agenda on the third day of the trade show – spaces are still available, so register soon.