Based on the motto of "Integrated Industry", the new version of the Eplan Engineering Center One (EEC One) is not only the individual discipline specialist combined to produce an overall solution. EEC One now has multi-lingual functionality to lift national barriers, thus ensur-ing improved interaction for automation on an interna-tional stage. Customers use the software to generate schematics and fluid plans automatically - now in Russian or Chinese too.

The Eplan Data Portal has grown massively since its launch in 2008. The number of manufacturers has in-creased to 48 - with component manufacturers Sick and Saia-Burgess among the new additions. Data and mac-ros relating to more than 225,000 parts can be simply imported into the project by means of Drag & Drop. This saves the time-consuming independent development of device macros. Users can benefit from standardized, up-to-date data and efficient configuration with no changes in media format.

Advanced Machine & Tool, AMT, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, saw considerable productivity improvements by using EPLAN solutions and has switched from AutoCAD Electrical to EPLAN. Time-consuming product development steps, like device tagging, wire numbering, and machine design standardization, including archiving and re-using recurrent content, have been simplified and accelerated.

The partners Festo and EPLAN are each pushing forwards with the aim of connecting the worlds of configuration in electrical and pneumatic engineering. A data package developed by Festo specially for EPLAN users with over 2,000 smart devices macros now gives extra strength to the mechatronic orbit of the CPX terminal. Users of the EPLAN Platform can use this to simply and easily create overview drawings, electrical and pneumatic circuit diagrams, and PLC overviews.

Solution provider EPLAN showcases the new Version 2.2 of the EPLAN Platform at SPS IPC Drives, Hall 7A / Stand 240. With numerous functional extensions and innovative additional modules, for example for field cabling, it opens up new perspectives in engineering for users. The new graphical macro selection, smart terminal analysis and automatic termination points when copying sections of a circuit provide rapid design engineering results. Engineers receive a solid system which accelerates processes and provides a basis for standardization and automation.

Today the manufacturing of control panels is traditionally a labor intensive process with few options for process automation. Most operations are done manually including engineering, laying out, punching and drilling back panels and enclosures; cutting to length, stripping crimping and labeling wires, installing components and wiring panels.

Eplan FieldSys allows cable laying routes to be configured exactly to scale. This comprehensive planning tool includes routing, database-assisted management of cable routes and automatic data analysis to accelerate processes, simplify assembly and servicing and ensure highly efficient system planning.

Solution provider Eplan has taken over the development and sales rights to EPLAN Harness proD, the established 3D/2D software for wire harness engineering. The contract between software developer Linius Technologies and Eplan Software & Service was signed on 28/06/2012. This extension to its range will allow Eplan to offer its customers even more comprehensive support for all aspects of cable project management.

Swiss company W. Althaus AG, a full-service provider for industrial automation that delivers around 5000 switch cabinets per year all over the world, uses the EPLAN platform as the backbone for data consistency. The recent migration to EPLAN Pro Panel, the 3D system for switchgear construction brought about a quantum leap in terms of process optimisation.